I just got a 1997 2.3L ranger, 5 spd with 170,000 miles. It feels like it has no power at all, it's driveable but I find myself struggling up hills. I was going 65 on the highway and a slight hill came up, even with the truck floored I was slowing down going up this slight incline. Is this normal for a truck of it's age and mileage, or do you think something could be up? I haven't had a chance to pull plugs or do any diagnostic work yet, this was my first hour in the truck. My daily driver is a 2012 G37 so I don't know if that has changed my expectation of what a vehicle should drive like.
Completely normal, Rangers are gutless from the factory, so one with higher mileage is even worse. Since you have a manual, drop it down a gear or two before you reach a hill, and never compare your Ranger to a car. lol.
