Clutch Installation

[HHDLea]

Just completed the installation of a South Bend SDD3250 in my 03. I just wanted to give some feedback to the community. The installation was done with the use of a drive on lift and a heavy duty trans jack. My co-worker and I completed this in just under 5 hours. The rear drive shaft was completely removed and the front disconected from the transfer case. Shifter was removed and bell housing was unbolted. There is a bracket on the bellhousing that is a anchor point for the exhaust down pipe. We spun this around and removed it from the front. The starter and the exhaust did not need to be removed. The crossmenbers were then removed and the transmission and transfer case were lowered and pulled back from the engine. The clutch was installed per the provided instructions. It is a must to get the alighnment tool to slide in and out without any resistance. We also removed the washer behind the pivot ball for the throwout brearing arm. Everything was re assembled and a new HD hydraulic master and slave cylinder were installed. The pedal pressure is the same as stock in my opinion if not better. The clutch is a bit grabby but I expected that. The noise is noticable but also not bad. All in all I am very happy with the clutch and the ease of installation. South Bend has really done there homework. I hope that this post is of some help to anyone looking to instal this product.

 

[LMarler]

I like write ups like this, they always make me want to ask questions. How grabby is it and where does it grab? How is in reverse as far as backing? Are their any shift issues

meaning is it hard to get in any gears 1, 2 or rev? I have a friend that has had this same unit installed in 05 drw truck and he complained of some of these problems. He uses this truck in a business where he hauls fairly heavy construction equipment day in and day out. He is not into the preformance side of these trucks but has logged many miles on 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen trucks. So if he is noticing this it makes me want to ask questions. I have this unit settimg in my shop wanting to install in my 06 drw. But I am questioning my choice if other experience any of these patterns.

Thanks

Lynn

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[HHDLea]

The stock clutch slipped when I would slowly release the pedal. The new SSD gets to a point and engages. There is no slipping. Reverse is the same and I use 4HI to back my trailer. The shifts are not as fast... Hard to explain, seems to take a little longer for the sycros maybe... . I am very happy with mine and expected to have some effects that were changed from stock. No slipping!

 

[MMeier]

The stock clutch slipped when I would slowly release the pedal. The new SSD gets to a point and engages. There is no slipping. Reverse is the same and I use 4HI to back my trailer. The shifts are not as fast... Hard to explain, seems to take a little longer for the sycros maybe... . I am very happy with mine and expected to have some effects that were changed from stock. No slipping!

Any issues getting into 1st or reverse ?

 

[HHDLea]

It is not a easy as it was with the stock clutch. Still goes into 1st and reverse with little effort. I am going to adjust the linkage a little on the clutch peddle to see if that has any effect.

 

[Walker1]

Any more on your expirencies with the clutch. My stock one is slipping really bad.

 

[CAPN Harley]

We have one we just installed in an 06 DRW mega cab with a G56 and I and the mechanic thinks it is great. The owner of it though complains that vehicle hops when backing up heavy loads, and feathering clutch. I tried explaining that this set up is not made for feathering it grabs and doesn't slip. You can see my other post it also rattles but that is to be expected also.

 

[DE Jeeper]

Mine has held up well for about 50k with a lot of added power, see sig. Although it has started to squeeze as soon as it engages, but I think that is just a little slip. I usually weigh around 22k pulling through the mountains of PA with no problems. The clutch is basically on or off with very little slip, but that is the price you pay for high hp and tq handling. The truck will buck in reverse, but you learn to deal with it and sometimes you have to go into 4 low.



This is a much better choice for the daily driver then the 3600. I had one of those fail on me in les then 15k miles. The pressue plate has a very different design and seems to be less reliable.



Aaron

 

[SShafranko]

I agree with Jeeper on everything. The biggest part that bothers me the most is the noise. It is much louder than the stock unit and the rest of it you learn to leave with and basicaly forget about after a while. Mine has not slipped yet.

 

[Walker1]

Thanks, for the help!