I agree with everything you said, Rerun, except about my Ranger being a mistake. I adored that truck. Until I bought my Tacoma last year, "Sammy" was perched atop my order of favorites as far as all the vehicles I've owned.
1988 2.9 V6 4x4 Ranger Custom. Had 3" body lift on it, 31" tires, extended cab, short box. Absolutely awesome on gas, went like a bat out of hell, manual tranny for fun driving and better 4x4ing... By far my favorite vehicle. Until I made the grave mistake of lending it to a friend for a day. He murdered Sammy on Memorial Drive on a patch of black ice.