Every once ain’t a while when I try to turn on the turn signal ( either direction) it will turn itself back off instantly. Is it just a bad stick or is it something else? I can hold it manually and it will stay on but it won’t lock into place. It will usually fix itself after i flick it 3-4 times.

 

Yes, "bad stick", called the multi-function switch

When you move the stalk up or down it should self lock in place, this also raises a tab that sticks up behind steering wheel
Steering wheel has 4 to 8 of its own tabs that move with the steering wheel
If you turn the steering wheel in the same direction as the turn signal direction indicated then the steering wheels tabs will just "click past" the raised turn signal tab, you can hear it
If you turn steering wheel in opposite direction then steering wheel tab will push the raise turn signal tab down, which moves "stick" back to Neutral position, turn signals off

So when you steer back to straight driving AFTER turning, the steering wheel is moving in opposite direction so returns "stick" to Neutral

This mechanism can wear out so "stick" will no long hold position, up or down

 

I didn't know the proper name for it so I just called it the "stick". I'm guessing there is no way to remedy this without replacing half the steering column? I haven't pulled it apart yet to see if there is something blocking it or if anything is broken. It still locks for the most part, its only on occasion that it won't.

 

Its not that bad to swap it out or pull it out and have a look inside

Google: Ford ranger multifunction switch replacement

A few videos to watch

 

Like RonD states, Google some videos on how to do it, should only take 30 minutes at most to do it, even for the first time doing it,