McLeod Clutch

[Archive]

For awhile now I've been needing a new clutch. It seems the combination of Banks Power Pack and 14,000lb. fifth-wheel was a little too much for the stock part.

After reading here and in the TDR and talking to a few folks I decided to go with the McLeod.

I called up Jim Leonard and drove over to his place since he's only 40 miles from where I live. His is the place along I-60 surrounded by Dodge Ram Cummins. Nice fellow, too.

Tomorrow I'll be dropping the truck off at Glen Thomas Dodge in Long Beach for the installation. I'll let y'all know how and goes and my reaction to the new clutch.

BTW, I posted some pictures of the clutch at http://www.dodge-diesel.com.

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'98 B5. 9 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 3. 54, Banks PowerPack, PacBrake, 60-gallon Aero fuel tank, Bilstein shocks, Firestone air bags, Reese 20K fifth-wheel hitch, Icom 2m ham radio

 

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How much were the parts alone?

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96 2500 4x4 nv4500 3:54 slt 3"body lift 2. 5" suspension by skyjacker dual steering stablizers dual front shocks 267/75/16 street tires 36/12. 5/16 swampers for mud silencer ring lost along with muffler res/cat 3" straight pipe KN round style filter JRE stage 2 kit 330/730 JRE afc spring kit boost and pyro gauges

 

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The clutch, flywheel, roller pilot bearing and throw-out bearing were $ 1,146.

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'98 B5. 9 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 3. 54, Banks PowerPack, PacBrake, 60-gallon Aero fuel tank, Bilstein shocks, Firestone air bags, Reese 20K fifth-wheel hitch, Icom 2m ham radio

 

[Archive]

Know that getting into gear from nuetral is difficult. It tends to chatter a tad since the disc hubs are not sprung. It does hold, and once under way, shifting is like stock. The pedal feel is like stock too in contrast to most performance single disc clutches.

 

[Archive]

Ok, I just got back from Glen Thomas Dodge with the truck and it's new clutch.

First reaction is that the pedal feel is light. Sorta feels like the clutch in a Honda I once had--a strange feeling for a 4-ton truck.

There is just a very slight amount of chatter. No problem at all getting into gear from neutral--may actually be easier than with the stock clutch.

It's hard to describe but the feel of the truck is different. There seems to be a tad less vibration and the motion the truck goes through when you shut it off is different--not bad, just not like it was.

Also, getting on the fuel at 1500 rpm or so in third or fourth gear creates a rattling vibration that's new. Could just happen now because the old clutch had a tendency to slip at this before.

More after I have a chance to drive it around some more.

Oh, and they replaced the worn track bar, too. Now I can even stay in my own lane!

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'98 B5. 9 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 3. 54, Banks PowerPack, PacBrake, 60-gallon Aero fuel tank, Bilstein shocks, Firestone air bags, Reese 20K fifth-wheel hitch, Icom 2m ham radio

 

[Archive]

Well, here's some more impressions after driving around for a few days here in L. A. including some time creeping along the freeway to watch a guy change a flat tire. The lighter pedal is handy in such situations.

There's still a little chatter and I still have a resonating vibration at 1500 rpm or below in third or fourth but I don't really mind. The rattling noise I reported before was just the stick-mounted BD exhaust brake switch vibrating. I normally keep a rubber-band around it to keep it quiet but the service guys left it off.

Yesterday I picked up our 14k 33' fifth-wheel and pulled it around. With the load there's no chatter at all and slipping the clutch at low speeds to maneuver the trailer was no problem.

Overall I'd have to give it a thumbs up.



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'98 B5. 9 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 3. 54, Banks PowerPack, PacBrake, 60-gallon Aero fuel tank, Bilstein shocks, Firestone air bags, Reese 20K fifth-wheel hitch, Icom 2m ham radio