Hi all! New poster here. Dug in to a 1996 Ranger XLT 2.3 4cyl clutch job for/with a buddy's son, thinking it would be WAYYY easier than the honda fwd clutches I am used to. BIG mistake. And the haynes for these trucks? GARBAGE!!

So anyway - We ordered the clutch kit online in July from Partsgeek [great place, 30 day return] and as we went to install it today, it's to big. It appears we were sent the 4.0L v6 clutch from what I can tell. It looks like for 1996 the 2.3 4cyl and 3.2 v6 use the same clutch, and our kit the PP and disk are an inch or so to big around.

So, seeing as we can't return it.....

Weren't planning on removing the flywheel, just roughing with emmery and calling it good, it's in fine shape. BUT -

Rather than re-use the flywheel and get a new clutch kit and eat/craigslist the 4.0L clutch kit, the thought hit me, Is it possible to put a 4.0L v6 flywheel on a 2.3L 4cyl motor and use the 4.0L clutch kit?

Please say yes, no problem! LOL

Thanks all

DJ

 

If the flywheel isn't cracked, glazed over, and doesn't have a ton of heat wear on it, it'll be fine to just hit it with emery cloth, did that with mine. Absolutely 0 problems. Its obviously better to replace it but if money/time is tight then oh well. While your in there, replace the slave cylinder with a Ford OEM one, or you'll be dropping the tranny again soon.

As for the 4.0 clutch, No go. You can put a 4.0 clutch on a 2.9 but not a 2.3. Gotta get the right one.

 

Thanks, got the right one. Crushed the 6 wire plug that hooks most of the tranny sensors to the main harness, having some issues getting it wired up right now. Time for a new thread!