i'm assuming that you are wanting to use the truck for wheeling around. my cousin has owned both rigs...a 86 s10 and now he has an 84 ranger. i would say that the stock 2.8 and 2.9 engines lack power for serious mudding, but they both did alright climbing around in the woods. he was dumb enough to roll the s10 but the engine still lived, so we replaced a windshield, and popped the majority of the cab out so we could still fit. the 2.8 in the s10 had a knack for spinnin rod bearings in the number 5 or 6 rod. his engine eventually did it, and i have a 85 that did it, and the engine that i replaced into my 85 is starting to knock as well. i dont really know too much about the rangers engines, but i know i would rather have the 4 or 5 spd when wheeling. its a lot easier to control the power that you want that way. if you want more power, i would go for the newer s10 with the 4.3 or vortec 4.3. both suspension have decent flex but they are completely different. if you plan on doin a suspension lift you will be spending quite a bit more money on the s10 than the ranger. i ranger suspension is coil sprung (i think thats what its called, i really dotn remember) the s10 is independent. the s10 suspension rides a little better on bumpy terrain, but thats just about the only place i have noticed a difference. im not really sure if i can help with anything else. but if you are gonna go with an older rig, i would say they both are just about equal. the s10 i have has done everything that my cousins ranger has, and then some. the only reason i think i have gone farther than his is bc of the tires i have. anything else ya wanna know???