Hi, I recently picked up a 2004 Basic Ranger...171,000 miles, 2.3 motor, manual transmission, no A/C, no power windows or locks, no cruise, but the radio works well. It's in good overall condition, but there's always room for improvement. The frame and body have no rust (one of the joys of living in the desert). So far I've put on new tires, shocks and shocks, straightened the front bumper, and changed engine and transmission oil. Some of my suspension rubber boots are shot, but the truck steers perfectly. I'll get to those eventually. I got a lot of how-to info from you all and YouTube. Last week I put in new seat covers off Ebay for $80. Today I adjusted my door striker, got rid of a bad door rattle, but broke my plastic door handle after getting it too tight. A new handle's on the way.

 

Welcome to the forum

Nice looking Ranger

You have a 2.3l DOHC Duratec engine, used from 2001 to 2011, 1983 to 1997 Rangers had a 2.3l SOHC Lima engine, so just a heads up when searching for info on 2.3l Ranger, you will get mixed results
Either were very reliable engines

You have an M5OD-R1 manual transmission, it used ATF, yes automatic transmission fluid in a manual transmission, Mercon V is specified, will be hard to shift with gear oil and won't last as long
Also very reliable transmission, if you use ATF, lol

2004 was first year for the HEC(hybrid electronic cluster), a digital dash, Google: HEC test mode

2004 also is the first year for the Smart Junction Box(SJB), its the Body Computer(replaced GEM module), its behind the passenger side kick panel, cab fuse box is part of the SJB

 

Thanks Ron, after reading lots of conflicting information as to what oil to put in the transmission, I went with MERCON V. I haven't monkeyed with my HEC dashboard yet, and hopefully I won't have to.