Weird behavior
 

I have a '97 2.3 xlt with a 5 speed, and I've noticed strange things under certain conditions.

Sometimes when I turn the key early in the morning, it takes more cranks than usual to turn over, and will start at about 600rpm and go up to about 2 grand until it warms up.
During this period the motor sounds really choppy and refuses throttle - sputters if I hit the gas.
After a few minutes when the coolant gauge reaches operational temperature, it will idle like normal around 900, however, if I rev up, it will hold rpms for a few seconds before dropping back down to idle.

After a few more minutes rpms go up and down like normal.

This is weird to me because if I stop somewhere and start the motor after an hour or so, for example, getting food or stopping at a store, the start is immediate and the idle sounds clean and smooth. It honestly runs amazing during this initial cold-ish start. The exhaust even gives off some pops and rpms drop fast in between shifts and the truck overall feels quicker. This only lasts for about 5 minutes and then everything is just normal again.

(I have recently replaced egr, vacuum lines, iac, tps, pcv, timing belt, and water pump)

Any feedback is appreciated.

Welcome to the forum

In the morning, after the truck sat over night, turn key on, count to 3 turn key off, repeat, now try to start it

For safety reasons Ford only runs the fuel pump for 2 seconds when key is turned on, but it does that EACH TIME key is turned from off to on
The fuel system should hold pressure when it is off, so that 2 seconds is fine to Prime it to 30psi
If system is leaking pressure, in the tank, then after sitting 6-8 hours if may have no pressure

Cycling the key on and off a few times builds pressure back up, for start up

All gasoline engines have more power when cold, because they are running Richer, same in cold weather, cold air makes for better power, its why all fuel injected Rangers came with Cold Air Intake from the factory

Thanks Ron, that has seemed to help a little.
I got another one for you: my truck stalls whenever I brake moderately hard coming to a stop. This only happens if I have under a quarter of gas.