30-06 man;
Something HAD to be wrong with your Ranger ! With one exception, have driven 4cyl manual shift Rangers since the Ranger's debut, about 1982. I usually trade every 3 years, thus,
I have owned several and each of them delivered 25-29 miles per gallon.
The lone exception was a 2002 4 liter V6, which was equipped with the only auto trans I ever owned in 55 years driving. Well meaning folks told me I needed an auto
trans to haul the light , 2500# camper I was buying. I put up with that combo for about 2 years..then gave the truck to my son and sold the camper. I hated the
automatic trans and hated the mileage even more, truck alone 18mpg, truck & trailer..11-12 mpg.
Went right back to 4cyl, 5 speed Rangers, the one I have now (second since the V6), delivers 28mpg highway..and hauling the small, "teardrop" campers I build, I still get 25 mpg.