Hey guys, Kinda new here and was wondering if I could get some input. I bought this truck from a very good friend of mine who is very sick. I was under the impression that the truck was in good shape but it seems like it has been neglected for the past few years due to the man being in a wheelchair. But back to the point, I have quite a bit of experience with cars but more Hondas and other smaller cars than big trucks. The clutch in my truck needs to be replaced and I have called several shops and they say it could cost $1,000 or it could cost $5,000. As you could imagine I dont want to spend this much money if I could do it myself. I have replaced clutches before but Im pretty sure that the engine and tranny in my truck weigh more than the entire cars I have worked on in the past. Has anyone ever done a clutch swap themselves? Is it possible to do in a driveway?
Depending on your mechanical ability & tools, a clutch replacement in your driveway, garage or the street is very straitforward & is done all the time. Sure, parts are heavier & fastened tighter than those in the Honda. But the proper "execution" of the job with a good floorjack will take care of most of the weight issues. Starting from the back: unbolt rear U-joint, pull driveshaft/drain tranny fluid, remove shift linkage, remove transmission/transfer case/OD unit [if equipped with these items], unbolt throwout bearing slave [if equipped] or remove mechanical clutch linkage, remove bellhousing while supporting engine [with block(s) of wood, jacks, etc], unbolt clutch cover, remove cover & clutch, inspect flywheel for excessive scoring/burn marks/rust [remove & refinish if necessary]. Replace the old parts [at a minimum: clutch, clutch cover, throwout bearing & all attaching hardware] & reinstall following the reverse of removal. Bleed hydraulic slave if equipped [& you disturbed it during removal] & you're on your way!
Parts should cost you far less than $1000 - and that is if you went back to Ford & bought only Ford OEM stuff. Rebuilt or NAFTA parts are substantially less....
If you are 4x2, you will find this easier than a FWD car.
4x4, the TC tends to bring the effort level up.
I had the trans out of my '65 Mustang about 9 times one year... So I "developed" a method using the floor jack that made it easier. I would put the jack in line with the car, lift the trans slightly, then loosly bolt the bell on the trans. I did this because I couldn't keep the throughout bearing on the fork while trying to stab the trans into the bell. Anyway, with the bell to guide it, and rolling the whole thing on the jack, and going s-l-o-w, I was able to install it without trauma the last 2 or 3 times....
BE SURE YOU HAVE A SECURE, SAFE WAY TO ELEVATE THE TRUCK, if need be.
Safety first, no sense being killed or maimed to save money.
Good luck.
BTW, keep your old parts and side-by-side check the new parts so you don't get that nasty surprise when you're all buttoned up and hit the key the first time.
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