Complete clutch kit for 1998-2001 Explorer and 1998-2000 Ranger and B4000 4.0L V6 manual: 11.5 in pressure plate, 23-spline disc, bearing, bushing, tool.
A 4.0L Ranger, Explorer or Mazda B4000 with a five-speed that flares rpm on the 2-3 shift, slips when you lean on it in fourth or fifth, or only grabs at the very top of the pedal has a worn clutch. This kit covers the 1998-2000 Ford Ranger and Mazda B4000 and the 1998-2001 Ford Explorer with the 4.0L V6 and a manual transmission, and replaces kit numbers 07-139 and 07-096. In the box: pressure plate, 23-spline organic disc, release bearing, pilot bushing and a plastic alignment tool.
The pressure plate bolts to the flywheel and clamps the disc against it, so engine torque passes through the disc hub onto the transmission input shaft. Pushing the pedal pressurizes the master cylinder, the concentric slave around the input shaft pushes on the diaphragm fingers, and clamp load comes off the disc. As the facing wears thinner the diaphragm loses clamp force and the engagement point climbs up the pedal until the disc slips under load. The 4.0L makes most of its torque low in the rev range, so on these trucks slip usually shows up first in the higher gears with a load in the bed or a trailer behind.
Do a load test: in fourth around 30 mph, floor it. If the tach rises faster than road speed, the disc is slipping. Before pulling the transmission, rule out the hydraulics. On these years a leaking master or concentric slave makes the clutch drag and grind instead of slip, and low or black fluid in the reservoir points that way. If that is your problem, the Ranger and Explorer clutch master and concentric slave assembly is the fix, and it is smart to change it with the clutch since the slave is only reachable with the gearbox out. The manual transmission repair cost guide lays out what a clutch job costs next to other repairs, and our clutch replacement cost breakdown covers labor hours.
Listed fitment is the 4.0L V6 with a manual transmission in the 1998-2000 Ford Ranger, 1998-2000 Mazda B4000 and 1998-2001 Ford Explorer. Listing specs: 11.50 in pressure plate, 9.84 in disc with a 1.03 in input shaft bore, 23 splines and four damper springs. Catalog data published for the 07-139 number gives an 11.75 in cover and a 10-3/16 in disc, and it also lists the SOHC 4.0L for 2000-2001 as well as the OHV engine. Because those numbers differ, measure your old disc and pressure plate and count the splines before the truck goes back together. Older Rangers with the 2.3L or 2.8L take a different kit, such as the 1985-1987 Ranger clutch kit. When in doubt, send us the year and VIN. More clutch and transmission parts are in hard parts.
Break the new disc in gently for the first few hundred miles: no hard launches and no towing.
| Fits | |
| Replaces | |
| Pressure plate | |
| Clutch disc | |
| Includes | |
| Weight | |
| Condition |
The listed fitment stops at the 2000 Ranger and B4000; the Explorer is listed through 2001. The 4.0L engine in the Ranger changed for 2001, so send us your VIN before ordering for a 2001 or later Ranger.
On these years the slave is a concentric unit around the input shaft, so the transmission has to come out to reach it. If it is original or the fluid is dark, replace the master and slave together while the transmission is out.
If it shows heat cracks, glazing or blue hard spots, yes. Resurface it or replace it. A new disc on a glazed flywheel tends to chatter on takeoff and wears out early.
Ford calls for DOT 3 brake fluid in the Ranger clutch reservoir. Bleed the system after the transmission is back in and before you drive.
On a fresh clutch, high engagement usually means air in the hydraulics or a master cylinder that is not making full stroke. Bleed again and check pedal free play before you suspect the disc.
