Quick points.....
-The Ranger was definately one of Ford's better vehichles. Tough little things.
-Saying anything like "New cars suck.", "X brand sucks", or the likes is ignorant if you don't at least try and back it up with a legit arguement.
-New cars use more plastic. And are subject to stricter crash test laws then 70s cars were. Better design and engineering, and the addition of air bags and better restraint system makes them safer, regardless of how much steel is there. Add to that all the ABS, traction control, and such that current cars have and you can't even compare the 2. The body on new cars may take more damage, but I'd rather be in one driving down the road if safety is my only deciding factor.