Thanks for welcoming me to the Ranger ranks.
My name is John. I've just purchased a 1998 Ranger XL that has been sitting for a while, with the intention of resurrecting it. It has a 2.5L motor, and a 5 speed manual transmission. It runs, but the fellow who used to own it was a heavy smoker, so the entire interior is coated with brown, sticky glop, all the plastic is in sad shape, and the wiring is a mess. But, the body is in good shape, and it's mine. I'm determined it will rise from the dead! So please bear with me; many questions will come. Pictures will come later.

 

A second welcome to the forum then :)

Check out LMC Truck
Great Ford Ranger section with most interior and exterior parts.

1998 was the first year of 3rd generation Rangers
Also the first year of the Stroked 2.3l SOHC Lima engine, making it a 2.5l, it was used in Rangers until 2001 mid year, then Rangers got the 2.3l DOHC Duratec 4 cylinder engine, no relation to SOHC Lima engines.

So when looking for parts 1998-2011 is 3rd generation
1993 to 1997 is 2nd gen
1983-1992 is 1st gen

Many 2nd and 3rd gen parts are interchangeable, "many" is the key word, lol, so not ALL