How long will my clutch last?

[JScans]

I have a 04. 5 600 4x4 crewcab longbed with the nv5600 with 44,xxx miles on it. I just recently put the big hoss bundle from banks on, i like it a lot but i need more. but either way just wondering how long will my clutch last. and when it goes out what should i put in?

 

[Wiredawg]

I have an 02 3500 w/ 396rwhp w/ 80K miles and still have the stock clutch. I've had a South Bend Ofe ready to replace it since I bought the truck, but the stock clutch hasn't ever slipped. Now that I stuck a lighting rod in it, I'll probably have to replace is next week.



Serously, a lot depends on how you drive it. I occasionally do a 3rd gear lanch, but for the most part, revving between 2000 and 3000 RPM will do a lot to preserve the clutch.



Hope this helps,



Wiredawg

 

[Diesel Nut]

Not sure what year or anything. Go to user control panel and update your signature. I had an 03 and I changed out the clutch when I did the VA/Quad stack. Installed a South Bend Con FE. Strongest single disk available. When I swapped out for the TST and PDR cam I began burning up clutchs. So, if you shoot over the 500hp mark you will need one of the new street dual disk clutches. Hope this helps

 

[jelag]

I run a 04 3500 dually with a stock engine but pull a trailer that weighs 20-22K lbs... the truck now has 185K miles and at 100K we pulled the stock clutch and put one of our own in... . at the time we pulled the stock clutch we could see damage to the center of the disc... . damage we feel that was caused by 2 things...



1 - we load the truck and push it hard up hills... we shift easy but re-apply the power and keep it in the torque band most of the time... . and we use an exhaust brake that has the reverse effect on the disc...



2 - we had pilot bearing failure... and this allowed the pressure plate to clamp the disc off center by a few thousands of an inch... . this miss alignment of the disc meant that the center was working harder than it should... . to correct this we removed the needle roller pilot bearing and machined out the pocket and installed a sealed ball bearing designed to handle about 3 x's the load... we caught the damage before the needle roller pilot bearing damaged the input shaft otherwise we would have had to replace it... in addition we used a full synethic grease that has a drop point of above 475* F. This means that the excess heat from the clutch and engine won't cook out the grease for longer bearing life..... we use Kevlar in some of our products but don't use it in pilot bearings... .



Our 01 has the same stock pilot bearing and we had to do the clutch and input shaft at about 150K miles... so we learned from that.....



I don't agree with the boys at SBC, but I've learned to agree to disagree and not comment... . we work our stock trucks as hard or harder than most everyone I've met... I don't turn up the HP because I have several drivers that might use any of our trucks... and I just don't wish to buy an engine from driver abuse... .



We teach drivers of class 8 trucks... . that the proper gear, with the propper load works like this.....



With the truck fully loaded..... on a level surface... . put the truck in the correct gear... . engage the clutch without touching the throttle and once the clutch is fully engaged put the fuel to the engine. If you can't do this your in the wrong gear... if your in the lowest gear, the drive train isn't spec'ed correctly... and clutch failure will be premature... How many times have you been at a light with a semi next to you... and you hear him rev the engine before he engages the clutch... ... how they last as long as they do is a wonder to me some times. .



OTOH - if you've got the bucks to play... . and don't mind changing the fuse in the drive train..... by all means have fun... we all need our ways to release the energy... .



Thats my 2 cents worth...

 

[BRayls]

Not sure what year or anything. Go to user control panel and update your signature. I had an 03 and I changed out the clutch when I did the VA/Quad stack. Installed a South Bend Con FE. Strongest single disk available. When I swapped out for the TST and PDR cam I began burning up clutchs. So, if you shoot over the 500hp mark you will need one of the new street dual disk clutches. Hope this helps

I am not slipping the zoom yet. I would not try an launch with it around 2200 though. its not a racing clutch ,but does good from roll ons.

 

[JScans]

thanx everyone for the info. i guess i will just rider till she dies like i intended. im preety hard on it so it will prob go pretty soon

 

[JHardwick]

to correct this we removed the needle roller pilot bearing and machined out the pocket and installed a sealed ball bearing designed to handle about 3 x's the load...

Did you remove the crank?