Your post doesn't make sense. If your truck doesn' t leak oil, it
burns it. It does not "just do something with it." And is it a qt. in
200 miles or 2000 miles?
What the hell is "purging" the engine? If it's noisy, it's probably
something worn.
The things you say it needs are just maintenance items. Why not do a
closer inspection to find out everything?
If you want another Ranger, go buy one. there's a bunch out there
between 1990-2005.

In Time to change /upgrade/ replace a 1990 Ranger? on Fri, 04 Nov
2005 21:18:58 GMT, by pyotr filipivich, we read:

The Ranger is not as strong a truck as the F150 series
or the Chevy 1500, which you might consider. All parts
for these trucks from the 1970s forward are being
remanufactured. The older full size trucks in VGC also
hold their value.

Check equipment catalogs for options and after market
accessories.

And ideal used truck is...

- locally owned
- 1 owner
- at least 4 years old
- well maintained
- no rust

I like a V-8, 4 WD, manual shift with medium
ratio gearing. Properly tuned and driven you can
get 20+ mpg on the road and it should last for 300,000 miles.

The key to solving the transportation problem is
flexibility and relationships.

Avoid dealers and look for a private sale.
Keep about $8,000 cash on hand and be open to
buy outright or trade. I'd look for something between
1985 and 1995. A VGC mid to late 1980s F150 or 1500 can
be had for $4000 - $5000.

An easy way to find a truck is to know a mechanic
who is into the type you want. His job and personal
interest will attract buyers and sellers. Offer an
finder's fee. Let him do inspections and repairs on
your truck. Once he feels you're "in the loop" he'll
look out for you.

Find a good one, purchase it and try it out. By following
the guidelines, if you come across something more desirable,
just put yours back on the market.

Good luck.

You need $120 worth of brake parts from Autozone, new tires figure
$250, check your tailpipe with your finger to see where oil goes,
if it runs and is paid for its hard to beat.
Otherwise get another Ranger, I am on my 3rd.

Im driving a 1994 Mazda B3000 SE. Same truck as the Ford Ranger XLT
extended cab. 3.0 v6, and it has 382,000 miles on it. The rear end is
finally starting to whine just a smidge. Original u-joints, all tight,
original front end, 3 set of shocks, original tranny (5spd). I
replaced the engine from a Ford Taurus at 294,000 miles, after finding
out there was zip compression from #1 + 4, due to a blown head
gasket/water leak and having the borrower drive it back to
town...empty. Annealed the rings in those two cylinders.
. Never did use any oil

During its life so far..Ive replaced 3 clutches( I haul a trailer full
of machine tools pretty regularly) 1 starter, 1 distrubtor, 1
alternator, and two serpentine belts..Oh..water pump and radiator, as
a matter of course when swapping out the engine.

Ill buy another one soon as I can find the same truck and have money
in my pocket.

Gunner

"Pax Americana is a philosophy. Hardly an empire.
Making sure other people play nice and dont  kill each other (and us)
off in job lots is hardly empire building, particularly when you give
them self determination under "play nice" rules.

Think of it as having your older brother knock the sh.t out of you
for torturing the cat."  Gunner