I was wondering if there is normal front end play in the wheels. I placed my hands at 3 and 9 o'clock on my tire when the wheel is jacked up and I can move the wheel while holding it at this location kind of like in and out. in and the 9 o clock area really.

Again, this is a 2005 Ranger XLT 4x4

Both drivers and passanger side wheels do this.

 

I am thinking that this is a tie rod? When the truck is sitting in park and is off, and just the key turned to the first notch, when I move the steering wheel I can hear a clicking when I turn it left and right.

When I mean it goes in and out, I mean 9 o clock heads in, and 3 o'clock heads out when the wheel moves. This is with tire on.

 

From the first description It sounds to me like loose bearings on the hub. I don't have a 4wd ranger so I don't know the setup up front. I have the warn manual hubs on my Jeep and if I were to grab at 3/9 and "push in" and "pull back" if there was any movement its the bearing needs a little snugging up.
Take the wheel off and see where its moving by doing the same test. ... easiest way to figure it out.