M50DR2 Clutch in an R1?

[bduke23]

Hey all, bought myself a new truck!!
New to me at least. Its a 93 reg cab, 3.0L 4x4 with I believe a m50d r1. Upon driving it on to the car dolley to take home (it needs a master cylinder) I discovered that it also needs a clutch. I know a lot of r2's were used in half ton fords. So, will a clutch from an r2 fit into my r1? That extra bit of heavy duty would be worth it I think, since I'm changing it anyway.

 

[Hopman]

I don't think so. When replacing the clutch in a Ranger, unless you're going to throw big HP or torque through the tranny, it's better to stick with a stock clutch.

 

[bduke23]

Don't think so as in it will not fit, or it will fit but is a bad idea? And if so, why is it a bad idea? Granted I don't know a whole lot about clutches, but as a general rule of thumb if I have the option to go beefier or stronger for about the same cost I always do, just a little extra insurance.

 

[TheTopher]

http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/May06/40_clutch_swap.htm


I know it's a little different than what you're asking, but give it a read. You'll get an idea of the amount of work it takes to get away from a stock clutch.

 

[bduke23]

I think I've read that in the past. I was hoping that the clutch sizes would be the same, just inside of a different shaped case.

 

[TheTopher]

Well, if you peruse our tech library you can find out a good bit of information on the r1 trans. Then pop on over to our sister site, Blueovaltrucks.com and check out their tech library and you can learn a good bit about the r2 trans. Then go from there.


Personally though I think unless you're putting 4.56 gears and 35+ tires on your truck you're never going to need more than a factory spec clutch on a 3.0.


Plus, I don't know how many friends you have that drive Hondas, but a lot of companies make stiffer "heavier duty" clutches for them that bolt up in place of the OEM clutch. Every time you shift it feels like the car's gonna break in half. It's definitely not a good time.

 

[adsm08]

I think I've read that in the past. I was hoping that the clutch sizes would be the same, just inside of a different shaped case.

At which point you no longer have a "bigger beefier clutch".


Most of the advantage to any single disk clutch is in it's diameter.