i was just looking at my 85 f250 and my friends late 80s ranger and it appears to me that they have the same steering box????? seems a little weird to me but those damn rangers seem like they were made out of left over full size crap.

yes rangers and the f-series share the exact same box.

Rangers seem to have serverely overbuilt for their time compared to some other brands. (later model rangers, at least, as in 90+)

Rangers are damn good little trucks. It's a wonder they aren't more popular. '90-'97 (4.0L) were the best built ones (earlier and you have pathetically weak front axles & transmissions, later ones have the torsionbar/A-arm IFS)

Ranger/Bronco/BroncoII/Explorer/F-150/F250/F350/F450 (1980-1997), its all the same box.