Hi Chuck,
There may be several reasons you didn't encounter a problem with destroying a pressure plate and I have. The hydraulic throw out bearing I was using at the time, may have a different volume than your pull slave. Also, since you were using a 2.6 V6, did you use the Capri four speed behind it? If you did, you had a different bellhousing and clutch arm, which may have had a different ratio. Another thing that may have caused Jim problems, is he is using a different make slave cylinder and it may have a smaller bore, which would make it have more travel per movement of the master. His clutch pedal is pretty hard, which indicates to me that that is the case. You can see that there are at least a couple of variables operating here. Either way, I still suggest using one. You never know which combination you might have and it is simple and cheap to do. A lot easier by a long shot than having to remove the engine to replace the clutch pack, not to mention the extra expense.
Jim,
You really don't need a return spring on your clutch, because these throw out bearings are made to be in contact with the pressure plate fingers continually. I think your pedal pressure would be a lot lighter without it. Your clutch pedal pressure shouldn't be any heavier than it is in a Ranger.
Jose