My Ranger was the 2.8L or was it the 2.9? But is around that size engine, the smaller of the V6s. Had the mazda transmission that held up well.
IMO there are 2 kinds of smaller trucks
There are the 2wd 4 bangers and the 4x4s
the 2wd 4 bangers are going to be the most reliable thing out there. They are simple, often times comes with no options and easy to work on. Also easy to find other parts out there. There is really nothing to break on these things. No power steering, not much electrical at all. They are light and get great MPG. However unless you have a good set of snow tires, they don't really do that well in the winter.
For modding purposes, these are the ones easy to slam down to the ground and throw a v8 engine into like what I am doing with my 1988 chev
*this is my goal ride hight when I am done*
The 4x4 have a different story. again IMO. They often times have more options like A/C, power steering, 4x4 setup for the transmission and wheel bearing. Sit higher off the ground, have bigger tires. More weight. that means less MPG and more parts to break on them. I have heard nothing really good about older chevy blazers. If you need your truck for the winter and a little off roading this would be the one to get.
If I had to use one of them as a DD I would use the 2wd just because of the reliability and gas mileage. Then just throw on a set of snow tires. but everyone is different when it comes to trucks.
just my 2 cents