Hey guys, I just picked up a 97' Ranger with the 2.3L. It has 115kmi on it and i believe original clutch..

From a stop about 75% of the time its hard to shift the truck into first, takes a few tries and sometimes i have to use some force to get it in there.. Also when shifting out of first the trans jumps like there is a bad mount or something.. shifting in and out of all other gears is not a problem.. This if my first ranger but i have owned many standard vehicles and never have experienced this before. Lastly what is the life expectancy pf the original clutch if it has been babied most of its life, highway miles, etc..
Thanks

 

sounds like the clutch slave or master cylinder are on their way out. where is the friction point on the pedal? is it close to the floor or closer to the top of the pedal?

my 98 had the original clutch in it until 160k when i replaced it because i had to replace the rear main seal

 

The clutch is pretty much at the end of the pedal.. can I adjust anything? It's not slipping?

 

Just took it for a drive.. noticed if i pumped the clutch twice, it would go into first much easier.. checked all fluids there at normal levels..

 

sounds like the slave cylinder has an internal leak or it is sucking air into the system, it is non adjustable because the whole system is hydraulic

the first thing you will have to do is remove the transmission and replace the slave cylinder, you might as well have the flywheel resurfaced and replace the clutch and pressure plate as well

 

Great.. any DIY's out there or will i have to buy a manual? Suggestion on a website to pickup the clutch and slave?

 

get a ford slave, its the best thing you can do for yourself...i would just go the dealer and buy a clutch kit, comes with a pressure plate, clutch, slave, pilot bearing and an alignment tool

on a 2.3 that trans is gravy to remove, a chiltons should be fine

 

Ok, thanks for your help and quick replies, I appreciate it.