Hi,
2000 Ranger given to me by neighbor that I resurrected (mouse problems via air filter, MAF sensor corrected it)

My sons have both struggled to get out of an intersection without killing it. I’d say “inexperience” except I, who grew up on a farm, driving stick pickups and tractors, and have owned manual transmission car, have to really pay attention and nurse it to not kill it myself.

Truck has almost 200,000 miles and is original clutch. Neighbor thought it was fine BUT he bought it new and could be a “frog in boiling water” used to it… :-)

Is the Ranger easier to kill with the little 4 cylinder, or cold this be the sign of a worn out clutch?
It is just so “grabby” as you let the clutch out FROM 1st…. All other shifting is very smooth and “normal” to me.
Thanks!

 

How does the engine run at idle and on the road? I think I may had a similar experience as far as first and reverse being extremely hard to engage without the truck slamming to a halt and stalling, or having to rev the engine up and dumping the clutch so it doesn't die.

in my case the motor had several issues and it ran pretty rough. At low rpm it was like every single stutter, misfire, and bump transfered straight thru the clutch to the trans and it ran like a DOG.

I can't diagnose anything, but just wanted to say for me engine problems felt like clutch or trans problems in low gear. that might be a good place to start I guess

And to answer the question about can a 4 cylinder get "killed" easier... I don't know bc I have a 3.0 V6 😅

 

Thanks
it idles pretty smoothly, but after my son killed it a few times in a row ( first time driving stick :-) it didn’t want to start again til it sat for a while. So something going on there. Coils maybe? Not a lot of power to “ lose” on that little engine though! Could be engine ( vs clutch)

 

I think its normal. I had a few weeks driving the 2008 before I got the hang of it and I have owned many stick shifts, Jag XKE, MG, Golden Hawk, Model T, an 8 speed Formula Ford and many others, both floor and column but this was the hardest to learn. Maybe because my hearing is fading at 88 and cant hear the RPMs

Maybe teach him to LISTEN to the engine as he slowly lets the clutch our, and when it first starts to slow down, increase the gas just a little and slip off the clutch.gently

 

I had the same issue with my 93. I ended up replacing the whole clutch system (plate, slave, master...). After that it was a little jumpy but never died on me. You can test to see if it's the clutch by, from a stop, putting it in 5th and and VERY slowly letting the clutch out. If the the engine dies the clutch is good if not its worn out. You can keep doing this though all of the gears. I got down to 1st and the engine didn't die