Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
Ok. Dropped the transmission and pulled the clutch. The flywheel was still in great condition, so we didn't touch it. The pilot bearing was bad as it was very tight and causing dragging when the pedal was completely depressed. This was causing the hard to get into 1st and reverse condition. The throwout bearing was still together but beginning to dry out. The surface of the pressure and clutch plates looked good and I could probably have gone back with them. No warping or signs of slipping since I do not ride the clutch or slip it when towing. I chose instead to go ahead and put a new complete Luk clutch in it because the fingers on the old pressure plate were showing wear. They were not wore out, but I knew that I would be back in before too long to do the expensive pieces of the clutch if I did not do it while we were in there.
The Luk clutch is a lot less pressure on the pedal than the SBC 1947-O that it replaced. Engagement is very smooth and easy. The SBC was getting VERY stiff and I am glad I went back with the Luk instead of another SBC. I got 214k miles on the original clutch and just 131k on the SBC, so I was a little disappointed in the life of the clutch. To prove the point even further, my '99 is still running around with the original clutch with 300k miles on it and it towed the same loads just as often for the first 200k miles of its life with me. I know clutches are wear items, but the driving habits and towing regularity did not change from the original clutch through the life of the SBC. Also, the Luk was about $500 less than the cost of going back with another SBC. I don't have added power and won't be adding any as I can tow what I need very well, so I did not need the heavier SBC anyway.
I will say on SBC 1947-O, from my experience, it is a significantly stronger pressure plate. I would recommend the upgraded hydraulics with this clutch. The upgraded hydraulics would probably handle the stronger pressure plate a lot better and the pedal pressure I would hope would be closer to stock. I asked SBC when I bought the clutch if I should upgraded the hydraulics and they said I did not need to so I chose to stay with the original hydraulics, but looking back, I should have spent the money and upgraded the hydraulics to see if it would have helped with the required pressure to depress the pedal.
I am getting older and getting tired of shifting all the time. From what I hear and see on the Aisin, it is a towing beast and my next truck 2013+ with be an Aisin with 3.73s if I can find the 3.73s. I don't tow enough for 4.10s, but the 3.42s are unacceptable. I know the 3.73s will work fine for me as that is what I have now with the NV5600 and I have no need for the 4.10s now.
I will close with this. The SBC is a good clutch and I am certainly not bad-mouthing them. They are excellent people to work with and were very helpful and courteous every time I called them. They never left me disappointed or wondering. They know their stuff. I would still recommend them and use them.
Sorry, no pics. In too big of a hurry to get the truck back on the road. It works for a living.
The Luk clutch is a lot less pressure on the pedal than the SBC 1947-O that it replaced. Engagement is very smooth and easy. The SBC was getting VERY stiff and I am glad I went back with the Luk instead of another SBC. I got 214k miles on the original clutch and just 131k on the SBC, so I was a little disappointed in the life of the clutch. To prove the point even further, my '99 is still running around with the original clutch with 300k miles on it and it towed the same loads just as often for the first 200k miles of its life with me. I know clutches are wear items, but the driving habits and towing regularity did not change from the original clutch through the life of the SBC. Also, the Luk was about $500 less than the cost of going back with another SBC. I don't have added power and won't be adding any as I can tow what I need very well, so I did not need the heavier SBC anyway.
I will say on SBC 1947-O, from my experience, it is a significantly stronger pressure plate. I would recommend the upgraded hydraulics with this clutch. The upgraded hydraulics would probably handle the stronger pressure plate a lot better and the pedal pressure I would hope would be closer to stock. I asked SBC when I bought the clutch if I should upgraded the hydraulics and they said I did not need to so I chose to stay with the original hydraulics, but looking back, I should have spent the money and upgraded the hydraulics to see if it would have helped with the required pressure to depress the pedal.
I am getting older and getting tired of shifting all the time. From what I hear and see on the Aisin, it is a towing beast and my next truck 2013+ with be an Aisin with 3.73s if I can find the 3.73s. I don't tow enough for 4.10s, but the 3.42s are unacceptable. I know the 3.73s will work fine for me as that is what I have now with the NV5600 and I have no need for the 4.10s now.
I will close with this. The SBC is a good clutch and I am certainly not bad-mouthing them. They are excellent people to work with and were very helpful and courteous every time I called them. They never left me disappointed or wondering. They know their stuff. I would still recommend them and use them.
Sorry, no pics. In too big of a hurry to get the truck back on the road. It works for a living.
