My wife was just given a 1996 ford ranger xl and I was wonderering what size motor have it this.
I know my choices are:
1996 Ford Truck Ranger 2WD 2.3L EFI 4cyl
1996 Ford Truck Ranger 2WD 3.0L MFI 6cyl
1996 Ford Truck Ranger 2WD 4.0L EFI 6cyl

Anything I can look at on the truck to help me narrow it down?

If nobody else chimes in then I can tell you tomorrow by the 8th character of the VIN number

just pop the hood...... the 4 cylinder is obvious to point out lol. the comparison of the 4.0 and the 3.0 is easy also. on the valve cover's it will say 3.0 if it's a 3.0. or look at the serpentine belt diagram on that cross member thing where it talks about your truck like the a/c charge and all the good stuff. hope this helps

__________________
-1995 ford ranger prerunner, 4.0, 4x4, 5-speed, 62k original miles, 2.5 radflo bypass front and 2.5 radflo triple bypass rear, deavers f23, 4.56 gears front and back, 07 seats, 07 mirrors, 35x12.50 bfg a/t, 4" fiberwerk glass front and rear, eagle alloy rims, 6k hid heads, two 8k hid off road lights, 34" led light bar, bed/roll cage/engine cage, 25 gallon fuel cell, cut and extended beams/radius arms
-2000 ford SVT f150 lightning -SOLD Lifted 2001 Ford Ranger EDGE, April's 2012 TOTM

Look on the left side near where you put the tranny fluid in, you'll find what ya need.

__________________
1996 Ranger XLT 4x4 V6 3.0
StreetGlow OPTX Neon Kit | JVC KD-S36 Head Unit | Pioneer TS-A6782R Speakers (Front and Rear) | UnderCover Tonneau | Goodyear Wrangler Tires | Self-Painted Front Grille and Emblem | Self-Painted Interior
Upcoming Mods: Reupholstered Leather Seats, LEDglow LED kits, & more (see avatar for details)
Might sound a bit "Ranger-racist" but I only REALLY like 93-97's.

I would say either 2.3 or 3.0

I had a 03 XL with a 3.0

__________________

Look at the emissions sticker, it will tell you what kind of motor you have.

__________________
98 ford ranger xlt ex cab 4.0 v6 auto trans

my Guess is since it's a 2wd XL it's going to be a 2.3 or 2.5

__________________
2001 Ranger Edge 4x4 (sold)
2006 F150 Lariat 4x4 (sold)
2007 Explorer XLT (Destroyed by Deer on highway)
2014 Explorer XLT (inherited from parents)

You mean 2.3 or 3.0. The 2.5 didn't come along until 1998.

__________________
1987 2.3/TK5, 125K.

That where I found the info. (its a 2.3L )

Thanks all that replied

Engine catalyst sticker.

__________________