Tips for changing the clutch?

[mike2891]

The clutch went out in my 86 ranger (2.9l 4x4) so I'm thinking of changing it this weekend. Anyone have any tips? I've never changed a clutch before so I'll be going into this somewhat blind. I'll have the repair manual to refer to, but for example it says to remove the exaust y pipe, but a lot of people I've talked to said you can usually get by without removing it. Also, no transmission jack so any tips on the easiest way to do it without a tranny jack? Anything that'll help make it quicker and a little easier would be great! How long am I looking at from start to finish? I'll be mostly working by myself, but can probably borrow my brother in-law when I get to any heavy stuff.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Biggest tip I'd give is to swap in a 4.0 clutch... Honestly you can ask questions till you're blue in the face, but the best way to learn how to do it is to go and do it...

 

[wizkid00104]

Biggest tip I'd give is to swap in a 4.0 clutch... Honestly you can ask questions till you're blue in the face, but the best way to learn how to do it is to go and do it...

Can you put a 4.0 clutch in a 2.3?

 

[tanbuddy]

I jsut did the 4.0 clutch on mine this weekend, with a friend it took 5 hours out and 6 to put in. THat includes bleeding it, lunch, goofing off, putting all the tools away jacking the truck ect.

I started from the back,
1.driveshaft,
2.skidplate,
3.tranny mount,
4.electrical connections (x fer case, 2 on pass side of trans, speedo),
5. Clutch hose
6. starter, and 1 small one on the engine plate
7. front drivshaft.
8. shifter
9. tranny crossmember, use a jack to lower slowly!
10. bellhousing to engine, the top ones are a bitch.

I put the jack under the xfer case and had a friend work it, i benchedpressed the bellhousing and pushed back. It was a little hard to get it over the exhauset and radius arm crossmember, but not to bad. I left the trans and xfer case together to put it back in, and didnt mess wiht the exhaust at all, and it went in easier than it came out.

 

[killacal]

If you're not going to use a tranni jack and are going to be doing it on the ground I would use a regular floor jack w/ a block of would ontop, and I would probably remove the transfer case to make manuvering a little bit easier.

I'm not sure if this is a manual or a hydraulic clutch. If it's a hydraulic clutch keep in mind that if the quick connect doesn't come apart you can cut it with a tubing cuter, and use a brass union to reconnect the pieces. I've done this several times on both plastic, and steel line with good results.

-Cal

 

[martin]

The help of two or three strong friends makes the job a lot easier. A couple cases of beer wouldn't hurt either.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Can you put a 4.0 clutch in a 2.3?

No, but you can in a 2.9...

 

[AllanD]

And it's HIGHLY recommended on a 2.9.

If I could get a 4.0 clutch onto a 2.3 I'd be running a 2.3 turbo.

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