Thanks guys for all the helpful info. I'm looking for a Ranger for my daughter and I don't expect her to be hauling much or towing anything so it sounds like '01 or newer for a 4 cyl or just get the 3.0. There seems to be moslty 3.0s available anyway.

I have a tendency to keep my Ford trucks so I'd rather get one that'll probably last longer. Timing belts sound like a PITA. At least head gaskets don't usually need to be replaced every 60K.