I am trying to figure how to do my own fuel filter changes on a 2004 Ranger. Finding the cut off switch seems to be the biggest challenge.

The older Rangers had them underneath the passenger side of the dash, not sure about a 2004 though. I imagine you want to shut off fuel so you can bleed fuel pressure off and not make as big of a mess. If you can't find the inertia switch you could pull the fuel pump fuse to shut off the fuel pump then try to start the engine to bleed pressure off. If you still have your owners manual it might show what fuse powers the fuel pump.