My first vehicle was an 88 ranger with a 2.3L 5 speed, I put that poor truck through absolute hell and it kept taking it and asking for more. It even caught on fire eventually (ford used **** poor wiring in the 80s and 90s) yet still runs to this day, even though it has been rebuilt about 3 times. The 96 2.3 ranger my father owns on the other hand, aside from maintenance items, ignition coils, and alternator the truck is 100% original down to the clutch with 296,000 miles and counting..

 

Ranger crowd here too, ive had 2 rangers. A 98 short cab,short bed 2.3 5speed 2wd. first vehicle i had, learned to drive in it. couldnt kill it never did anything but oil and brakes to it. sold it with 140k miles and got an 02 with the 4l 5speed 4x4 and have had it for 4ish years. truck is almost all original, slave cyl went so we did a clutch, dont get the 4l if you want gas millage it gets 17 in the city and 15 on the highway 4.10 gears all around.

 

The 4.0 moves out pretty good though (for a mini truck)

 

paid 560 for an 86 ranger. loved that ******* thing.
no passenger window.
seat belts didn't work.
eventually the shifter came off of the transmission