1994 Ford Ranger fuel pump or something else?

I think what you have here is a problem with fuel pressure drop off. When the key is shut, the fuel system should maintain a certain amount of pressure. If it doesn't then you will have to crank the engine for sometime for it to rebuild the pressure it lost. If don't let it sit too long, the pressure may not have enough time to drop.

Here is a how to for checking fuel pressire and drop off. Check it and let me know what you find.

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_check_fuel_pressure.htm

Joe