Go for the post 2003 years and go for the 4.0 engine. The 3.0 is reliable and perfectly capable, but it's kind of underpowered. (Of course that might not be a bad idea for a teenager grin) I think somewhere in the 2002 - 2003 years Ford finally fixed the plastic timing chain guide issues. I've had several Rangers and they have all been great trucks.

I would also consider a Nissan Frontier. That's what I have now and I love it.