Clutch assembly recommendation

[JOlatt]

Hi,

I have a 2004.5 with the NV5600 truck with around 184 K miles, that I'm getting ready to replace the clutch assembly (clutch plate, pressure plate, pilot and throw-out bearing) on. I am in the Knoxville, TN area and I have been informed that Tennessee Clutch (Nashville) and Valair are good value for the money. Apparently, Luk is not available here (according to the shop I'm planning to go with) and South Bend may not be the best value for the money (I don't tow that much).

My current (Luk, I believe) still probably has a little more life left in it. But, I thought I'd change it now.

Any recommendations/advise anyone can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
joseph

 

[EricViviano]

Rockauto has complete kits with flywheel and clutch from Luk or several other OEM's.

Single disc South bend or Valair with the upgraded hydraulics are nice. The 400hp clutch has a stock like fell with the upgraded hydraulics.

Don't forget to change the clutch fork as well, not just the throw-out. It's $40 well spent.

 

[NIsaacs]

Hi,

Any recommendations/advise anyone can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
joseph

I assume your truck is stock (power wise) so a Luk type will be fine. The installer "might" recommend an upgrade. Beware, they will usually cause more transmission noise, if that is an issue.

I would assume your choice of installer has their own choice of brands they distribute. Luk may not be one, however, they are as close as your Napa store. Most clutch venders have the stock oem Luk type, they sell. Such as this one from Valair:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vai-nmu70279/overview/year/2004/make/dodge/model/ram-2500

Or this one from Napa:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NCF1105101?partTypeName=Clutch+Pack&keywordInput=clutch+kit

This is an upgrade type and the one I run (Sachs) in my '01.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vai-nmu70279-01/overview/year/2004/make/dodge/model/ram-2500

Keep in mind, the installer provided clutch kit will have a pretty good markup over internet sales.

 

[EricViviano]

Don't forget to change the oil while your there. Amsoil sells the correct oil. Also overfill the trans through the shift tower while it's off, 6 quarts.

 

[RVTRKN]

My choice would be South Bend with a stock equivalent. As far as oil fill, fill to correct level then jack up or straddle a curb raising the fill hole and pump 1 quart in.

 

[EricViviano]

It's a hell of a lot easier to dump into the shift tower, especially when it's already off. No pump needed.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I bought the biggest, cheap syringe I could from Amazon and use it to push the extra quart in. Takes about 10 loads but is super easy.

 

[AH64ID]

I would go with LUK or the South Bend O-HD for stock power. Both are smooth and should provide another many years of good service.

 

[04blackcherry]

Same as you I don't tow much. I got 277,000 out of the stock clutch. The pilot and throwout failed on me. The flywheel looked brand new. The clutch kit I bought was a Luk in a NAPA box.

 

[JOlatt]

Thanks very much to all who responded to my request. With all the information that you all have so graciously provided, I will be able to make an informed purchase and keep my trusty truck running for years to come. Once again, Thank You to all that responded.

While this work is being done, should I also get the rear main seal replaced? Or, leave it as is, if there are no leaks?

 

[EricViviano]

@JOlatt If it's not leaking most people do not do it for preventative reasons, the rear main that is.

 

[RVTRKN]

Ya, the rear main is a difficult decision. If it isn’t leaking leave it alone, but you’ll regret it if it starts leaking after you just installed trans. I wouldn’t because you might open a can of worms, “if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it”.

 

[JOlatt]

EricViano and RVTRKN:

Thank you for your advice, as always.

 

[ranger 393]

South bend 1947okhd

 

[Prairie Dog]

South bend 1947okhd

That's what I have and it feels like the stock clutch with stock hyds (which is all I will use).

 

[EricViviano]

That's what I have and it feels like the stock clutch with stock hyds (which is all I will use).

Whats wrong with the SB or Valair HD hydraulics? They are adjustable and work great.

 

[ranger 393]

Whats wrong with the SB or Valair HD hydraulics? They are adjustable and work great.

I have the SB hydros, nothing wrong with them they are a little stiffer than stock

 

[Prairie Dog]

Glad you like them. I've used both and returned the so-called, "HD" parts and went back to new OEM and I'm much happier with those.
In this case, "Heavy duty" doesn't mean better.

 

[GCroyle]

What is heavy duty ? Different grade of plastic, hose material, bigger pushrod or other?

I’m betting it’s a different diameter master/slave cyl combo that the intent was to push the release bearing farther than a stock system. If that’s the case moving the bearing farther for the same pedal travel then you have to push harder with your leg.

The clutch master cylinder cyl is not designed to be the stop on the release stroke, that is the job of the pedal stopping on the floor before internal cyl crushing can occur.

 

[EricViviano]

I have the SB hydros, nothing wrong with them they are a little stiffer than stock

Me too. Work great. I like how you can adjust the pedal as well. Apparently others have had luck with the stock setup, every time I have tried to use the stock hydros with an aftermarket clutch (especially G56 solid flywheel conversion) the results where poor. But to each their own.