What's my best choice for a cheap (<$5000) truck that will be reliable and not a complete money pit...

>No but NO ranger has any business towing that kind of weight regardless of engine.
No one said they're towing that weight with a Ranger you fuckwit, that was an example.
>Not saying the 4 pot is bad, they were reliable and hard workers. Just very bare minimal.
No shit Sherlock, that's what OP wants. Is your IQ similar to your shoe size?

2.3 who towed a 8000lb trailer across the states lives across from me. done it 4 times without issue (Ministry of Transport doesn't really exist in most states like it does up here). that's around 20k km of 2.3 towing a 8000lb RV

i tow a 3000lb car with a dolly quite often with my 4.0 and barely feel it's back there. disc brakes front and back and he has drums.

In any case, the 3.0s are useless as all hell. either 2.3 or 4.0.

Or a 5.0 swapped ranger
apparently cummins 4bt swaps are easy on them, too.

I am. 2.3 limas are surprisingly capable with their high 3.xx gears.

I wouldn't recommend towing. but if my neighbour's 1998 is anything to gawk at, they're more than capable of towing 4000lb +. Remember their brakes and guts are the same as the 4.0s except for their engine.

fine line between bravery and stupidity, tho...

73-87 Squarebody for $2000-4000. The more rust prone your state the more you'll want to pay to avoid it.