I bought my '97 Ranger in 2003, w/ 78K miles on it. That was about 60K miles ago.

GREAT truck, but...

I've just been told by the mechanic it needs a new clutch!

This will be the 3rd clutch I've put in! What gives? I don't 'ride' it, nor do I abuse it with high revving, etc.

But I'm averaging 20K miles per clutch! This is gettin' ridiculous!

Um...... Only thing I can think of is maybe your putting the pressure plate in backwards. Don't think they have a this side or that side, but who knows?? And you may be over tightening the bolts. Have the flywheel resurfaced too, that help mine some. Other than that, I don't know.

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'85 Ranger short wheel base
2.8L
4sp w/OD

are you replacing everything or just the clutch itself

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Okay, we got it figured out. Seems that there's a hydraulic slave cylinder INSIDE the tranny...we dropped everything and got a new one.

After installation, the clutch pedal is weird, feather-light application.

Turns out, it's supposed to be like that!

Yeah like the previous poster said I'm surprised you didn't have the slave replaced as its basicly the throw out bearing. If that was done with the first clutch replacement you would not have needed another clutch.Who replaces a clutch and not the throw out bearing too?
Ford really messed up with that system. Most cars have an external mounted hydraulic slave that actuates a lever that thats moves the t.o bearing. Simple..easy to replace...you can also bleed it. The entire Ranger clutch bleed system is the worst.
The clutch pedal on my 2001 is wonky. Sometimes firm..sometimes..soft. I know its that internal slave. Stupid.

I put in a different brand clutch about 30K ago.
It was lighter and had better performance. Now it rattles all the time.

Anybody recommend a clutch brand for street use and long life?

(An yes, I replace the slave/bearing with the clutch.)

Thnks