'99 Ranger clutch improvements???

[atomicjoe23]

I just got a '99 Ford Ranger (extended cab, 4x4, w/4.0L I-6) from a friend who just bought a new truck, was moving, and didn't want to mess with it (YEAH!!! Free Truck!!!). . .it's got the 5-spd. manual tranny and the clutch is pretty much what I have come to expect from Fords. . .crap. I don't know if it's all Fords or if it's just the manuall tranny Fords that I have drove, but every Ford with a manual that I have ever driven feels the same. . .there is now feel to it, it's got a lot of travel, and it's hard to tell what's going on.

I've been driving manuals since I was 15 and I had to learn to drive a manual before I was ever allowed to drive an automatic. . .first on tractors at the farm, then the work trucks, and finally the family car. I say that so there is a little background. . .I've driven more manuals for longer than I have autos (generally speaking not a fan of autos).

Every manual car that I've driven that wasn't a Ford has had at least a decent clutch, with decent feel and feedback. . .

. . .question is. . .

What can I do to improve the "feel" and feedback of the Ford clutch or should I just ditch that tranny and go with an auto?

If the general consensus is to go for an auto. . .I'm open to suggestions as I don't have a lot of auto experience period and I haven't spent a lot of time working on Fords in the past. A C4?

Here are the plans. . .since this was a free truck it's gonna be turned into a street-legal prerunner that will see street use only to get from my house to the dirt and then ultimately I'm hoping for a Class 7 truck after I get used to the truck and running at speed in the dirt/sand.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[ElleShooTiger]

Nooooooo, the last thing you want to do is swap to an automatic haha. There are tons of people, including me, who got rid of the crappy autos and swapped in manuals. I'm not a fan of the high pedal engagement and lack of feedback, but its the more reliable transmission available.

 

[atomicjoe23]

Thanks man. . .good to know and save me money. . .

. . .the manual is more reliable than a built C4 though???

Just asking as I have very little auto experience, but I prefer a manual to an auto anyway.

A post on race-dezert.com leaned toward blaming the hydraulic clutch linkage. Any truth to this?

If so, would replacing the clutch master and slave cylinders with better units fix the "problem"?

Thanks again!

 

[pcollins]

You got an I-6 engine in a ranger??? I'm assuming you mean the V6.

 

[atomicjoe23]

Yeah, I meant the V6. . .I've got a '94 YJ Wrangler also so I'm used typing I-6 for it. . .must have just went on autopilot. . .

 

[pcollins]

Well, welcome to the world of hydraulic clutches...I prefer them, actually. I have a 98 F150 5 speed and a 97 Ranger 5 speed. Both with a hydraulic clutch. The F150 seems to have a better feel, but my ranger has nothing at all. I just know where it engages because i've been driving it.

 

[atomicjoe23]

both my '94 YJ Wrangler & my '97 Camaro have hydraulic clutches and have great feel, I bet switching master cylinders and or slave cylinders would fix the problem. . .would just have to make sure that you use the correct bore:stroke ratio

 

[pcollins]

you'd be better off just waiting until the slave busted out to change it, as it requires a tranny drop. feel free to change the master if you want though. i doubt it'll make much difference, its just the way these clutches are.

 

[AllanD]

Thanks man. . .good to know and save me money. . .

. . .the manual is more reliable than a built C4 though???

Just asking as I have very little auto experience, but I prefer a manual to an auto anyway.

A post on race-dezert.com leaned toward blaming the hydraulic clutch linkage. Any truth to this?

If so, would replacing the clutch master and slave cylinders with better units fix the "problem"?

Thanks again!

IF you can FIND a C4 that'll bolt to a 4.0 pack it in crumpled $20 bills so it doesn't get scratched on the way to the rebuilder.

AD

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

All the fords I've driven with hydraulics have had horrible 'feel'. I've gotten used to it. They seem to be either engaged or not, no in between. But you may be on the right track with master/slave bore ratio. Keep us in the loop if you decide to experiment.
Good luck,

Richard

 

[atomicjoe23]

All the fords I've driven with hydraulics have had horrible 'feel'. I've gotten used to it. They seem to be either engaged or not, no in between. But you may be on the right track with master/slave bore ratio. Keep us in the loop if you decide to experiment.
Good luck,

Richard

Will do. . .

IF you can FIND a C4 that'll bolt to a 4.0 pack it in crumpled $20 bills so it doesn't get scratched on the way to the rebuilder.

AD

I'm a tool & die maker soooo. . .I can make my own adapter plate out of whatever aluminum I want (between 6061 or 7075) and heat treat it to whatever I want. . .so I'm not worried about fitting the C4 to the 4.0 if that's the issue. . .

. . .what about a C6? Is there a better alternative if I wanna get away from the manual?

I'm not an auto guy, but really for off-road racing it seems like an auto is the way to go.

Thanks