Personally, I like Ranger pickups have been running a '94, 2wd 5 speed on road and camping for more than a decade trouble free.
If I remember correctly yours has the torsion bars in front, instead of coils, so lifts larger than an inch and a half or so (torsion bar twist) are more of an issue than with the older coil sprung models; very similar to my 2003 Explorer Sport, suspension wise.
Stock; the biggest off road (easy trails) issue with mine has been the small (24") tires and abysmal (3.08) gear ratio. (found some 4.10 geared differentials and axles, for my explorer) in the local scrap yard relatively cheap. I may switch the old Ford 8.8, 3.73 geared axle from the Explorer into the Ranger, if I decide to keep it. I find it difficult to get rid of an utterly reliable, very useful vehicle. The better gear ratio, stronger 31 spline axle, would let me run tires in the 31 inch range (with the added benefits of rear disk brakes).
Enjoy!