My 98 still has the original starter. 20 years old and counting. 155,000 miles and counting. Stock alternator and water pump as well. only thing I've had to change was the power steering pump, and probably unnecessarily. Changed it due to a loud squeal, which ended up being the belt.
155k? Thats cute
Rusty #1, my old 87 2.9 powered ranger, i had bought brand new in 87, with .5 mi on the odo, and retired in 09 with well, well, WELL over 300,000 on the odo, had the original starter, alternator, water pump, ps pump, both fuel pumps, everthing. Only thing i changed was a TFI sometime around 99.
It burned no oil, no coolant, fired everytime, still got 21mpg or so, and would eat rubber in the 1st 3 gears (5sp).
You will never convince me the 3.0 has anything over the 2.9 in any department. Hell, the 2,9 even looks cooler.