New to the site, searched the threads the best I could and I'm sure this question has been answered 1,000 times already but still I need to know.

I have a 96 Ranger XLT 4.0 OHV 5-speed manual. When I first start the truck, it starts just fine, regardless of weather. If I drive it around for a few miles, and kill the engine, it won't fire back up. It doeswn't turn over, it tries at first, then ends up just clicking. First thought is battery, I've changed batteries 3 times already.The red fuel-shut off valve (under pass-side dash)doesn't pop-up and I've recently replaced the fusible link, alternator, bought a brand new solenoid (the one mounted to the driver's side quarter-panel). Asking around at the local advance/o'reilly's/autozone's, i've gotten anything from the ignition module, to the egr vavle, to the starter. Anyone with personal experience and knows exactly what the problem is?

I'm currently unemployed and don't have the money to be replacing a bunch of parts to figure it out by way of trial and error. One of my buddies today noticed the starter doesn't have some shield it's supposed to have so this sounds most likely to be the culprit to me.

Thanks in advance for the advice.