On a 1995 Ford Ranger, 2.3, on a cold start, there are two similar things that can happen. One is where starting off slow, it like cuts out, or stumbles, or sputters for about the first couple blocks. Sometimes it will do a bucking, just like as if you stepped on the pedal and let off for about 5 seconds ongoing, then it straightens out.

Any, thoughts, ideas, or suggestions on what it coud be?

 

It reads like computer is not setting Choke mode on cold start
All gasoline engines need to be Choked when cold or they don't run well
With fuel injection this has to be done by the computer, it runs engine Rich with high idle until it warms up a bit

Computer gets engine/coolant temp info from the ECT(engine coolant temp) sensor

I would replace the ECT sensor first, you can test these but usually not worth the time it takes since they are not expensive.

It is a TWO wire sensor only used by the computer, no relation to the Temp Sender that's used for the dash board temp gauge

ECT sensor may be on a heater hose like this: https://www.route66hotrodhigh.com/im...orLocation.jpg

Not sure for the 1995 Ranger 2.3l


Second thing is to Clean the MAF sensor, common issue for dirty MAF is bogging and stumbling, but this wouldn't get better between cold and warm engine usually

 

Picked up a coolant sensor. Will see if that helps any.