I don't know about this.
I came into this thread looking for a nice "how-to" on exactly what you describe as being "wrong" for my 2006. The stock lights are far from "sucks" as you describe. They are quite bright, and do lay out a very distinct pattern. They are aimed from the factory so the lows and highs both do not reach the ground directly in front of the truck, the driving lights fill in this area when the low beams are on, and go off for high beams. Reason being? the designers assume the only time a person would use high beams is at highway speeds therefore seeing the ground directly in front of the truck isn't needed (as reaction time for potholes and such so close to the truck at highway speeds would not do any good as far as avoiding the obstacle if it was so small it couldn't be seen sooner with the regular headlights) and they could save some money on the alternator and such by not having the increased load of both high beams and driving lights.
Don't know about you, but my driving lights have a much wider reach at the road's edge than the headlights. Deer are always all over around here and that extra width to the light patterns at the corners of the truck really help out no matter what other lights you're using. I want them on with highbeams, I guess I'm just stupid or just want to show how little I know about what works for me.
Unless you can find me some form of conclusive lab results that state a reason (beyond power draw) running driving lights and high beams at the same time is "wrong" for the design and purpose of the lights, it seems to me what you have is an opinion that the lights suck and nothing more.
Wanting to run highbeams and driving lights at the same time is common and in no way "wrong" unless your vehicle doesn't have the wiring or power system to handle it. (not the case with a typical Ranger, wiring and power system is typically flawless and overly capable for the stock needs in comparison to many vehicles a simple light mod isn't going to push it over the edge)
I don't want anyone making rules for what I can and can't do with my truck or telling me what works for me is a bad idea. If it works for me, who cares. If I ask a question, I'd prefer an answer rather than having someone ramble on about relay operation then tell me I don't know what will work best for me.
I ain't trying to pick an E-fight either, but lighten up man, this is the illumination forum.
Hope this doesn't make it the pet peeve of July too.
I'll keep looking rather than ask a question.