Are you using the Pinto 4 speed, or a T-5? The Ranger clutch might have been set for a different cable pull arrangement.  I don't have an answer for you, but I have the T-5 using a 86 T/C bell crank bell housing with 71-73 pedals and the clutch pressure is very manageable.  In fact it almost seems too soft. The engagement is very linear. Great for teaching someone how to drive a stick.  So, if comparison helps in any way - there you go.  Do parts books show a different clutch for the ranger than the Pinto?

I am using the original 4 speed, bell hsg and clutch arm. I should note that I never drove the car as the motor was bad (original motor), but even so I believe that I pushed the clutch pedal and would have noticed a very hard push. I did get a clue on this as the Pinto manual I have does list problems with a hard push clutch and one of the problems can be a heavy duty clutch installed. First item is that I don't like the hard push and second I wonder if the cable will stand up to the extra tension. I would guess that others have had heavy duty clutches installed. Maybe with the t5 and different arm and hsg the pull is softened by different geometry built in to compensate. I'm still thinking I should pull it down and install the original Pinto clutch.
Thanks

Thanks Chero, I was afraid of that. But it must be done. At least the tranny doesn't weigh a ton. I do have a jack for it anyway.