The clutch in my truck has 177K on it and is on it's way out. I just can't bring myself to drop $800 on a South Bend. I know what it takes to make them and that's about an 800% markup. I found one at Carquest that's Kevlar lined with heavier springs in the plate for $300. Anyone used one? Don't really care about pedal pressure, before I had the Ram I drove a '77 Scout with mechanical linkage. Just don't want to have to spend the $600 having it put in (gravel drive and highs in the 50's now with snow) and have to do it all over again in 50K miles.

 

I put the Luk Pro Gold in... so far, so good for 2 thousand k or so. No performance mods, though, yet - and I only plan to do mild mods.

Obviously, not the same as what you are looking at. I would strongly consider the Valair, it reviews very similar to the Southbend, but is less expensive.

I'd probably stay away from the generic/no-name clutches... what is the quality? Uncertain. As you said, installation is a real cost for you, so your basic cost is $900 or so, is it worth it to go up to $1200-1300 and know that you would not expect to have any problems? That's for you to decide...

Note that this puts you in a price range of buying a 13.25" upgrade that includes a bigger flywheel, and a stronger hub in the clutch - which I'm sure were in the clutch you spec'd from SB.

Compare apples to apples. If you get a good clutch for your expected uses, it should cost you a lot less in the long run, even if it is more upfront.

 

Might wanna check out Edit. THey have some good deals

 

YOu will not regret the South Bend

 

my ofe rated at 450hp has held 540/1191ftlbs. and i am not nice to it.

I agree with troy

 

I've got 16k on mine. It drives like a stock clutch, too (except for the fact that it will not slip regardless of how you drive the truck).

 

Thanks guys I'll check out the Luk I know they have a good rep. I won't buy the South Bend simply because of the price, they are way too proud of it. I went shopping for a camper shell and they all fell around $800+, not worth it so hunted till I found a decent used one for a price I was willing to pay. Same actually with my truck, I don't think any truck is worth $45K+ so I got my '96 which actually took me 2 months to talk myself into spending the $$ on (while my wife kept tell me to buy it the whole time).