On my 96,the fuse #21 keeps blowing. I have no turn signals, hazards,low beams nor a working speedometer. I'm out of ideas what could be the issue. I've used a multi meter to test and got 1.2k resistance across the circuit on 21. Not sure if that pointing to a short or not.

 

I do not know 96 at all and do not have an electrical diagram to even begin to know where to start. I will say I have solved so many electrical problems just by removing any non factory wiring. The most common problems are aftermarket stereos and trailer light harnesses that someone just cut the wires and spliced in. Put the wiring back to factory with solder, heat shrink, and electrical tape. Then use a Plug and Play harness for taillights and stereo. if that does not solve your issue, find what circuits are on fuse 21 and start following each wire.

Another thing I do is make sure all ground connections are in good working order. Definitely your Battery to Frame, Body and Engine. There are other grounds that you will need to find and clean.

 

Welcome to the forum

1996 Ranger
Fuse #21
In the Cab fuse box or Engine fuse box?

In cab fuse box #21 15amp does power the Flasher but for 4-way only, but no connection to speedometer/cluster or head lights

In engine fuse box #21 is for Aux power port on dash

So will assume Cab fuse box, this fuse has 12volts all the time, not key on power only
Have you replaced the Flasher unit?
They are not expensive

Fuse #22 in cab fuse box is Key On 12volts and also powers the Flasher unit but for turn signals only, so if turn signals also do not work then replace Flasher

In a 1996 its a bit of a pain to locate it
It's above the gas pedal inside AUX Relay Box 1
This relay box is mounted with its back side toward the radio and front faces Parking Brake pedal
It has a black cover over it that snaps off
At the top should a BLUE relay, that's the flasher relay, pull it out and put in the new one, then put in a new 15amp fuse in #21 and see if its blows

 

So far this is the update: I figured out that the headlight issue was from bad bulbs. I finally made a jumper wire from speaker wire and 4 alligator clips. With this I was able to test the lights and found that the low side of the bulbs was bad. The left side turns was ok but passenger side is what was blowing the fuse. The speedometer and wiper issues is because of a missing fuse.
However I have no taillight nor turns on right side. I did found a section of wire where someone tried to put a pigtail on the wires near the tailgate but cut them off later. I removed all that and cleaned it up,plus tape over bare wiring. So at least I've isolated the issue to a region but I can't tell if it is the front or back that is the culprit.

I suspect that the reverse lamps are not working either but I will have to get a helper to look at that.

 

People wiring in Trailer lights will cause lots of issues, lol