Buyin a ranger, potential clutch problem?

[rizoss16]

So I checked out this ranger today and I think I finally found the right one! Here it is:

http://www.bargainnews.com/viewad.cfm?Show_Notepad=Yes&bnAd_ID=6653947&TheDealer=

It has 118,000 miles on it, its very clean in and out. The only thing that bothered me that is keeping me wondering is the clutch. It has a LOT of freeplay in it. The clutch grabs about 3/4 of the way out, IT seems to be way too much. The pedal has to be almost all of the way extended out before it engages. He told me that it has been like that since he bought it (18,000 miles ago from a ford dealer). That is not normal correct? Could it be a potential slave cylinder problem? Maybe it needs a new clutch? Or just adjustments? What do you think is it worth the $7k even with that problem? Thank you for your input.

 

[snake]

That clutch doesn't sound normal to me, sounds like the disc is worn out. Doesn't matter if it is a clutch problem or slave, tranny has to come out to fix it either way. Other than the transfer case being additional labor, slapping a clutch in a ranger isn't really a big deal if you do it yourself. Just make sure you change everything in the bellhousing while you're in there. Is it a deal with a possibly bad clutch? Not sure. I'd drop at least $500 off what it books for to pay for a possible future clutch job. It may last a long time like it is but you never know... BTW there are no adjustments for the clutch.

 

[rizoss16]

He won't budge on the price but I am getting it anyways, my buddy told me we could figure out how to replace the clutch and slave and its only a couple hundred dollars. I will have it hopefully by the end of the week and I'll post up some pics.

 

[OilPatch197]

when replacing clutches I find it MUCH easier to just pull out the motor. You get to work on the clutch out in the open, and aligning it back up is easier too, especially when you don't have a transmission jack.

 

[rizoss16]

How the hell do you lift the motor out once everything is unbolted?

 

[OilPatch197]

How the hell do you lift the motor out once everything is unbolted?

engine hoist. Or a 2-ton puller with a chain around a heavy tree limb. I've seen some even use beefed up sing sets. It beats laying on your back!

 

[rizoss16]

lol I think Ill go the swingset route, my neighbors little kids would love to just have my truck parked under it with an engine hanging off of it.
Where is the best place to get a clutch kit? Do i get a heavy duty one or something or just a standard oem clutch? And i need to do the slave cylinder also right?

 

[photoduo]

Pull motor with tranny still attached? or not......

when replacing clutches I find it MUCH easier to just pull out the motor. You get to work on the clutch out in the open, and aligning it back up is easier too, especially when you don't have a transmission jack.

Just to be clear........the best way is to pull the motor and leave the tranny in.....you aren't saying to pull the motor with the tranny still attached to it are you?

 

[Chance]

Yep, I'm assuming that's what he meant.

 

[photoduo]

Yep, I'm assuming that's what he meant.

Cool......Thanks....I'm good to go

 

[rizoss16]

Ok so I brought my celica to a shop today to get the oil changed and emissions inspected before I sell it. I told the mechanic I was selling it for a ford ranger and he told me its a big mistake. He said he has been a mechanic for 40 years and says that the toyota will rarely see a mechanic where as fords are in there on a day to day basis for all sorts of different problems. He said never choose a ford over a toyota, and that I will be seeing him alot more if I get the ranger. What do you all think? Now I am having second thoughts about it, what could be so bad about them that is always breaking? SHould I still get it? It does have 118,000 on it and I am selling my celica for 6k, paying off the 2700 I owe and taking out a loan of 2600 to buy the ranger. Now I am having second thoughts I wont have money to be dumping into repairs I am a fulltime college student and make about 80$ a week. What do you all think? Still go for it?

 

[rizoss16]

Theres also n 02 xlt automatic 4.0 with 90000 miles on it for the same price, maybe I should get that instead since Its got less miles? I like the standard though...

 

[pillen140]

Ok so I brought my celica to a shop today to get the oil changed and emissions inspected before I sell it. I told the mechanic I was selling it for a ford ranger and he told me its a big mistake. He said he has been a mechanic for 40 years and says that the toyota will rarely see a mechanic where as fords are in there on a day to day basis for all sorts of different problems. He said never choose a ford over a toyota, and that I will be seeing him alot more if I get the ranger. What do you all think? Now I am having second thoughts about it, what could be so bad about them that is always breaking? SHould I still get it? It does have 118,000 on it and I am selling my celica for 6k, paying off the 2700 I owe and taking out a loan of 2600 to buy the ranger. Now I am having second thoughts I wont have money to be dumping into repairs I am a fulltime college student and make about 80$ a week. What do you all think? Still go for it?

hes an idiot. i work in a toyota dealer, just fewer toyotas than fords. toyota is just as reliable or unreliable as any other car.

 

[MAKG]

A Toyota with 118,000 miles? You just broke it in.

Mechanically, it will last effectively infinitely. That is, it will either rust out or get totalled before it wears out.

If you're poor, dumping money into a vehicle with a loan involved is a bad idea. It's better than a new vehicle, but still an unnecessary expense.

If the Celica works for you, keep it.

A quote from a NUMMI employee (these guys make Corollas): "They don't die; they just get ugly." As a former Corolla owner, I concur. Sure, they get problems. But having been inside a 4A-FE, it is simply a better engine design than a 2.3L. For instance, valves are designed to minimize bellmouthing. There are no rocker arms. And 90 HP or so is completely adequate if you wind up the engine and actually see it.

 

[pillen140]

A Toyota with 118,000 miles? You just broke it in.

Mechanically, it will last effectively infinitely. That is, it will either rust out or get totalled before it wears out.

If you're poor, dumping money into a vehicle with a loan involved is a bad idea. It's better than a new vehicle, but still an unnecessary expense.

If the Celica works for you, keep it.

A quote from a NUMMI employee (these guys make Corollas): "They don't die; they just get ugly." As a former Corolla owner, I concur. Sure, they get problems. But having been inside a 4A-FE, it is simply a better engine design than a 2.3L. For instance, valves are designed to minimize bellmouthing. There are no rocker arms. And 90 HP or so is completely adequate if you wind up the engine and actually see it.

4afe was a dependable motor, but that 1.6 doesnt have any balls! even the 2azfe 2.4 in the new ones suck as far as power goes. i like the old corollas a lot better. the new one seems more cramped inside, even though it is supposivly bigger.