i bought a remote ford my ranger and i tried to activate it with what it says in the manual but it didn't work. anyone know how to?

Turn the ignition on the off 8 times within 60 seconds then hit the lock button on the remote. If that doesn't work then you have got the wrong remote.

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2005 4.0 FX4
Tinted out (15% front, 1% back glass and quarters, 5% winshield strip), Line X Bedliner, Flowmaster Super 40, T-Bar Crank with 265 Firestone AT's
Memphis Power Reference 10 in a ported box, 400 watt amp, 8000k 55w HID's
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Mods to come...
4" Superlift

do you have 2 programmed remotes right now? I don't know what it says in the manual but I'm pretty sure you need to have 2 programmed remotes to program a 3rd

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2008 XLT 4x4 - GRABBER ORANGE - 4.0 V6 - 5 spd
PNW CREW

Just like calebw15 said. Turn the key from Off to On 8 times ending in the on position. Your locks should then cycle and press any key on the remote. Your locks should cycle again indicating that the remote was programmed correctly. I know this may sound like a stupid question but you do have power locks right? Any picture of the remote you bought?

That is just for the keys. You can program remotes any number of remotes you want. But you do have to program them all at the same time. Anytime you add a remote you have to program all of the old ones too.

do i start it or just right before that?

you only go to "ON" not start. so no don't start it.