Okay, I am having the weirdest issue with my Ranger and I'm not sure what's going on.

This only happens if I leave the truck parked for a long time, say over a week. If I'm driving it every day I never experience this.

Every once in awhile, after I start my truck, I can't seem to go anywhere. The truck behaves as if the e-break is on, except it would be the most powerful e-break in the world.

Basically, after shifting it into gear and giving it some gas, and then slowly backing off the clutch, nothing happens. I can feel the truck trying to move, but it refuses to, it just won't budge. I have to keep giving it more gas and playing with the clutch until the engine is pinned at around 5000 rpm. After doing this a couple times (and the truck is smoking and smelling pretty bad) I'll finally hear and feel a very large "pop" and then the truck all of the sudden pops into movement and everything is fine again.

What could this be?

Details:

1996 4x4 Ranger
4.0l V6
Manual Transmission

 

sounds like the clutch disc is worn out, possibly pressure plate as well or its got a few broken tabs on it.as long as you dont hear any grinding coming from the trans case its most likely the clutch assembly....you may also want to take the cover off the differential to verify that it doesnt have any broken teeth on the ring or pinion gears....jack the back up and verify the back brakes arent stickingeither.take the wheels off and take a look at the brakes and hardware.....

 

It is common for the rear brakes to sieze-up while sitting for a week or so. Especially if their is dew or rain and the truck sits outside. YES, they do lock-up that bad! Sometimes they evenhave to be disassembled !