Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) I need a clutch

[RGutierrez]

This week my truck mods should be complete. The rear main seal is leaking and since I'm going to be in there, might as well change out the clutch. If my signature works, you can estimate my horsepower level and I use the truck to pull a 5ver and toys on the weekend. It's not my style to drag race from a stop light but I would expect a clutch to take a few times in it's life. Can anybody recommend a clutch for my application? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Mundo

 

[DTroy]

The South Bend OFE would be a good choice. It has the holding power. I would recommend the FE if you weren't towing.



The OFE won't be as grabby. The FE is grabbier than the DD that I replaced it with.

 

[zstroken]

South Bend is a great clutch with great customer service. If your going to tow don't get the FE. I made that mistake and if I ever get the chance I am going to pull it out, and send it back to turn it into an OFE.

 

[GOT-Torque]

I would agree that the FE is too grabby if you are going to do any towing. I am hoping that some traction bars make the engagement alittle smoother on mine (axle wrap). I will say that it has never slipped on me though.



DTroy, I was considering upgrading to the same clutch that you installed. What differences did you notice other than less grabby? Did you go with the 6 or 12 puck and do you pull with your truck?

 

[Forrest]

Been towing the 5'er with a McLeod dual disc clutch for years now. It's held all the abuse I can give it.

 

[DTroy]

I went with the 12 puck. 48 total. The FE wouldn't hold for me after I added the bigger turbo. It probably would have held if the turbo didn't come on so hard. ( I'm not complaining about that, by the way )



The DD works great. The pedal is harder. Your wives/girlfriends may not like the pedal effort. ( That can be a good thing )



I didn't pull with it yet. I don't have my traction bars on it yet. I did do the dirt drags a week or so ago. I left the line in 3rd in 4 Hi. The clutch didn't bat an eyelash.



And of course I had to fool around a little at IRP. You can roll along at about 40 mph and slip the clutch in third. The tires will light right up.



Peter at SBC has always treated me very well. He's easy to talk to either on the phone or in person. He didn't try to sell me something I didn't need.



P. S. If you meant do I tow ... I do that as well. I pulled 10 or 11 K about a month or so ago. The clutch works great. Shift just a hair slower and ignore the rattle when you're at a stoplight.

 

[RGutierrez]

Thank you all for the replies. I also called South Bend and they recommended a Con OFE for my application. I don't think I could afford a DD right now so the Con OFE was ordered and it will be here friday. Again, thanks.

 

[GOT-Torque]

DTroy, did you do the hydraulic upgrade as well? (listed as required on the clutch chart)



Thanks for the response...

 

[DTroy]

No problem.



I drove my buddies with the stock hydraulics and DD. When I ordered mine, I installed the upgraded hydraulics from the beginning.



Either way is manageable. But the bigger slave makes it easier to control that spot in the engagement near the top of the pedal stroke. It makes for a smoother shift.

 

[RustyJC]

With your mods and application, I think you'll be happy with the OFE. If it gets grabby when trying to spot your 5th wheel by sliding the clutch at idle, just bring the engine speed up to about 1000 RPM. The OFE smooths out with higher relative speeds between the flywheel/pressure plate and clutch disc, and it doesn't mind being slipped under these light load conditions.



Rusty