4wd clutch swap
 

Hey everyone,
I'll say I know this isn't really the right place for this, but I was directed here from the explorer boards. My friend has an 01 explorer sport trac with a manual trans. Apparently they didn't make many of these, no one on the explorer forums knows much about them, and they said a 4wd ranger was a close match (i think it may have the same transmission in it anyway).

We are going to swap a new clutch in, and I am the man in charge due to my experience with cars even though i've never been under it or popped the hood...............:nervous:

A couple of years ago I changed the clutch on my dads 93 ranger (it was RWD) and I'm curious how much harder it would be to do one on a 4wd (let's assume for now that the explorer is the same as the ranger).

Is it going to be as complicated as a FWD vehicle as far as removing axles goes?
How much does the trans weigh (after I remove the transfer case, assuming I can)?
I bench-pressed a 125lb trans into my awd 3000gt not too long ago -- can I try to pull the same nonsense here?
Is there a lot of stuff in my way? (exhaust, driveshafts are fine, a/c, power steering will be a bit more annoying)
after searching I couldn't find a walkthrough, but I gathered most of the bolts on these vehicles are metric -- am I wrong?

thanks a bunch in advance, as I tackle this over the next few days I may be posting a lot more.

i would suggest dropping the t-case first before the tranny.....other than worring about the t-case, it is the same as doing a '93 Ranger......same trans in both.....

oh yea, and you can get a 4.0 Ranger clutch if you want to to install....


i though all Sport Tracs were automatics myself....post some pictures of it up!

Dropping the trans in the trac is actually pretty easy compared to most vehicles.

1. drop the rear driveshaft
2. drop the front driveshaft
3. drop the transfer case
4. drop the exhaust all the way up to the manifolds
5. drop the tranny crossmember
6. disconnect the slave cylinder line
7. unbolt the starter, bellhousing, and flex plate
8. drop the tranny

The tranny on these trucks weigh less than 100 pounds, but like lifted97ranger said it would be a very good idea to drop the transfer case separately from the tranny.


BTW it will be a little different than a 93 ranger because the sport trac uses a torsion bar suspension and the crossmember is a bit different......nothing major though.

wow, thanks for the quick info guys. That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Doesn't sound like it'll be much of a problem.

2 quick questions
How difficult will it be to swap the slave once I have the trans off?
Are all the bolts metric?

thanks again -- i'm actually getting excited about doing getting this done this weekend

ALL the bolts are metric.......

i recommend swapping in a NEW slave cylinder while the tranny is out....changing it out only requires removing 2 bolts, removing old slave, putting new slave on, and installing 2 bolts.....hardest part of it is making sure you have the hydraulic lines in the same spot and not on the opposite side of the tranny....

thanks again. My buddy is getting a clutch kit from a dealer that includes a slave, so we should be all set.

u have any pics of this tranny. I didnt think that they came with a manual transmission in 4wd form. I've only ever seen them in 2wd.

i'll get some this weekend and post them. All i know is I've driven it, it definitely has a clutch and 4wd

make sure you bleed the slave cylinder when you put it all back together too.

yes, like stated its all pretty straight forward. The master cylinder can be a pain if you put the slave cylinder on without bleeding it first. You'll get air in it and you won't be able to get it out without taking it off. I've done it in a 96 Ranger. So try and bleed it before you do anything.