My 88 ford ranger has no break booster?

I'm a mechanic so I know what a mechanical and hydraulic brake booster looks like my ranger has neither the master cylinder is bolted directly to the fire wall I thought brake boosters have been a required safety feature sense the early 70's heck even my 69 maverick has a brake booster so I'm curious was this a factory option or did some cheapo decide they didn't need a booster. And another question if they did come stock with out a booster is it easy to install one so there's one.

No brake boosters are not a required safety item. GM uses a hydroboost that replaces the vacuum brake booster setup. They been doing that up to 2002. Also very common in vehicles that use diesel engines since they do not create enough vacuum without the aid of a belt driven or electric vacuum pump

No offense but you must had your eyes closed if you said your a mechanic. Even the older GM vehicles didn't have a brake booster on some models

[brake] [without] If its been stopping for 28 years without power brakes I'd not try and fix what aint broke.

Probably has armstrong steering as well. It was a cost saving thing on the rubber mat basic versions, you could easily upgrade it with parts from the boosted version but you may have to change the calipers as well. Unboosted front brake calipers may have larger pistons to give more mechanical advantage with an unboosted master cylinder and if you switch to boosted it may result in very long pedal travel.

That does seem strange. Look real close behind the master. Is there any evidence of former additional bolt holes in the firewall? Maybe hiding behind the master? If so, somebody removed the booster, swapped out the master.

Your vehicle SHOULDN'T have a break, and brake boosters couldn't be a required safety feature even if they were required. Your evidence to support your claim of being a mechanic went DOWN from there.

Sure, if it had less factory options installed no surprise at all. It should not be too tough to put one on however you "may" need parts off a truck like yours that came wit power brakes from the factory for that you will need to visit a junkyard.