My last one was an 87 2.3 short cab which was extremely dependable and got a steady 17-18 mpg, but was low on power, could hardly use 5th gear(overdrive) unless going downhill with a tailwind. It however had salt damage from years up north and the body was about to fall apart.
When I began looking for something better(I was about to make a 600 mile move) I searched only the Ranger and F150 columns in the paper. Seemed the early 90s was mostly within my range, and I checked several 93s, at least 2 completely failed the finger in the tailpipe smudge test I always start with. I searched the sale ads daily (early as possible, in order to beat the dealers there, if they've been there and passed on it, you'll want to pass also) and after almost a month saw a new ad for another 93 which I got right onto, went and looked, and wound up bringing it home. It was in immaculate shape for a 93(this was late 06) and had 230K, but the tailpipe was clean, and I got the full maint. records, it had been a very well maintained 4.0 super cab 4x4 with tow package.
Even so, in my initial checks(after buying it, and prior to moving), I found it to have a shifting flaw. More checks found a leaking slave cylinder in the tranny, they had once put in a new clutch, but had failed to replace the slave cylinder(a darned $35 part) causing me to have to go back in. Also, when draining the transmission I caught some metal, and took it by the Ford dealer shop, asked the shop manager to look at it, who in turn asked his tranny man, they concluded it was part of a bearing cage. I simply filled it with new fluid and kept driving it(shifting ever so carefully).
I was worried as hek on my first trip, 600 miles with a loaded truck and ten foot trailer, but it made the trip, both ways at 70-75 mph. The second, third, and 4th trip it made as well, no problems anywhere. I could have been hauling heavier loads, thought I was driving a half ton, but prior to trip 4 found it had a 1650lb payload, but still, fully loaded truck and trailer, 70-75mph, I was getting from 13-16 mpg.
Now I'm in year 7 with it, slowed my driving to 55 at the first $4 gallon gasoline, and have kept it there since, garnering a steady 20+mpg. I rarely use the AC, but it's still working well when needed. I do a bit of 4 wheeling, but nothing drastic, and am still doing ok with the tranny, although it's been on borrowed time for 6 years now. I drive to town, and around the farm, no problems with it whatever, sometimes pulling a loaded trailer, basically no worries, but it's about time to check the tranny fluid, and possibly change it(I'll definitely be watching for other metal in the fluid)
I'm overall well pleased with the Rangers I've driven, cepting the 2.3 had little power, the 4.0 has always had enough, and I'm even getting better mileage(I always keep detailed gas use records)

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93 XLT Supercab 4X4 W/Tow Package (only power stuff it's got are the side mirrors, no cruise control or power windows, locks etc)