I have a 2003 Ranger XLT 4 cyl 2.3 standard trans, 65,000 miles, and a couple of weeks ago after stopping for gas, I got nothing when I turned the key... maybe a faint click. Battery had plenty of power, all connections looked good from battery to starter... fuses fine, I checked everything I could think of. Been running great and the only thing I can think (this was the first time I've driven it for any great length of time since I bought it a couple of months ago) is the starter/solenoid got hot and didn't want to work? Started right up after sitting over night, starts fine ever since, which makes me wonder if it's heat related. I'm afraid to take her out on the chance it happens again. It has the factory anti theft but I didn't notice any different patterns or blinking lights as far as that goes.
I've been all over the threads and didn't see anything like it, so apologies if this has already been covered!
Thanks

 

Check and clean ground cable at battery and engine end

Do the same for positive cable.

Quite a few amps go thru those cables while engine is running, all alternator power to run the trucks systems.
If connection is dirty then it will heat up, if engine bay is hotter it will heat up more.
You loose good connection when cables/ends get hot.

 

Thanks for the input Ron! Will recheck that

 

Sounds like a typical faulty starter to me. Ive had it happen to me twice, they act similar to bad ignition coils. Once the starter cools down it will start like nothing happened