Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Uprading the Clutch/transmission - Please Help with Opinions/Recommendations

[HeavyHauler]

Hey guys, eventually I would like to put together what I would consider the "ultimate towing truck" and before I start toting heavy loads, I know that I'm gonna need a better clutch. I have a 5-speed by the way.



I'm running the EZ and 1. 6's right now and the clutch is fine but if I start abusing it by hooking to big loads, I figure I'll start to have problems.



I'm looking at either a SBC Con FE or (if I can swing it) a SBC Dual Disk. I'd really like to go with the DD because of the durability but I'm not sure if it's worth the money. Here's the questions:



1) Is it really worth the $700 to install the 1 3/8" input shaft? I know that I'll have to do this if I go the DD route, but if I went with your basic Con FE, would I really need it?



2) If I do upgrade to the 1 3/8" input shaft, does this mean that I then need to buy a clutch for the 6-speed? i. e. , a MU1947 version instead of the MU13-1. 25 variety? I notice that the 6-speed clutches are a little cheaper.



3) While I have all this going on, would it be best to install a fully splined mainshaft with the updated 5th gear nut from Standard Transmission? I don't want to have a problem with this in the future, and would it be fairly easy to do this upgrade while I'm installing a clutch?



4) Finally, is a DD clutch "too much clutch" for the setup that I'm running right now? I'll probably be at this power level for a year or more before I get everything else done so what do you think?



Ultimately, I'll have a set of towing twins, an adjustable TST, and whatever EDM's Don recommends to use with my setup.



Please bear in mind that I do want to have the best possible setup for the truck. Cost is definitely a concern, but if there's a chance that I might have problems with something down the road, I would like to fix it now.



Thanks for the help once again guys!

 

[Supermod56]

Don't bother with the input shaft, what you need to do is put the 13" clutch/flywheel in it with the OFE, they make a disc with the 1-1/4" spline to fit the 5-speed, which is exactly what I plan to do when I get the time/money. Complete trans disassembly is required to do the fully-spline mainshaft, however if you haven't backed the nut off yet, Quad 4X4 has a new deal called the Torque King Retrofit kit where you can replace the gear and the nut on a "Undamaged" mainshaft. I have heard good things about this, plan on doing it myself one of these days, although with the Gear Vendor's O/D I just got, it's not an issue for me anymore. To make it the "Ultimate tow rig" get a Catcher ECM, best money I ever spent!!!

Tom



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2001. 5 2500 4X4 5-Spd LB QC Black. Catcher ECM, DD Stage-1's, AFE, Bully Dog 4" pipe, ATS Exhaust Manifold, Silencer Ring MIA, JAKE Brake w/shifter switch, Geno's Banjo's, 3 Autometer's on the A-Pillar, Gear Vendor's O/D, Firestone Air Bags, Redline Oil throughout.

Soon-to-have 14cm Turbo Housing and RASP Pump (Thanks Olee!!)