1998 Ford 4x4 Ranger 5sp, 4.0 ltr. EFI, 1.5 cab, off road package, stepside. 187K miles. I am the one soul owner of this truck.
I recently removed the bed and replaced the fuel pump and also the fuel filter thinking this was the problem since the fuel pump fuse would blow out ever so often and the truck was starting to hiccup, like you would shut the key off and turn it back on very quickly. Well, it's still doing it. Not all the time, and not every hour but enough it is very disturbing to wonder when it's going to just die and not start again. It'll do it even while off the accelerator slowing down for a stop but it's really annoying when accelerating and it bucks, just for a second. I've actually had it floored in 1st gear taking off from a stop sign and it hiccups and it chirps the tires when it immediately comes back to full power.
Any ideas? It happens so fast that I'm thinking it could be electrical rather than fuel issue but what could cause this?
Btw, the fuel pump was not a half priced aftermarket, it is a high priced Ford dealer unit and when I installed it the fuel tank was spotless inside.
Any help is greatly appreciated, Thank you.

 

A bad plug wire will do that, as will a bad fuel injector.

 

Since this is an Extra cab, have a read/look see here, as Rockledge may have posted a fix for your problem. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/3...und-today.html Seeing as how you are also having blown fuse problems, it fits this scenario. Let us know what you find.
EDIT: We can look up TSB's & Wiring info on our rides here http://www.revbase.com/BBBMotor/

 

Thanks Paw Paw. I'll check mine out and see if I see any wire chaffing. Its funny as soon as I posted this thread, the truck hasn't hiccupped since.... weird.... I did run the crap out of it one time winding the engine to red line and it hasn't hiccupped since...... maybe an injector?