Orcus, I'm glad you like playing rangers, but you're wrong about there being better builds. The 3.5 ranger is a monster combatant. It gives up the ability to use heavy armor, but it has decent hit points, a free feat tree, favored enemies and the combat style advantage, a potential extra hit per round thanks to the animal companion feature, a fair skill point progression, and (eventually) spells. Sure, the spell list is limited, but proper use gives a number of advantages. Use a wood elf for the build, and you're set.
Fighters do have bonus feats, but the Power Attack tree is overrated, and the Focus/Specialization advantages don't kick in until higher levels. Barbarians are good frontliners and cavalry, but you have to be very careful with rage. The temporary hit points still count against your regular hit points when the temporararies are gone. Paladins are overrated; they aren't nearly as good as frontliners as you'd think.