My buddy has an 01 so with about 170k on it, Clutch is slipping. Truck is stock and a daily driver but also tows a 13k lb 5th wheel once every month or so. The most he will ever do is probably a set of 50hp injectors.What are some good options for a clutch. Reasonable price is a must. Thanks in advance.

 

Go back with stock. Anything that is aftermarket designed to handle any kind of power is going to be grabby and not back very well.

 

Southbend ConFE is what I am running. Not grabby, not inexpensive, but it has been a smooth clutch.

 

I run a Southbend Con OFE and am very pleased with it.

 

Thanks guys. I think the Southbend rated for 400hp is the one he is gonna go with

 

I've got the 400/800 Southbend in mine. If your buddy does any type of backing up he is in for a surprise over the stocker. Also, if he is used to starting out in second gear then he is going back to school for that as well.

I swapped mine and drove it like my stock dodge tur...I mean clutch. Taking off in second gear, as I have done for years would shake my teeth loose! Eventually I learned if I take off in second gear that I first need to bump the throttle to get rpm up then let the clutch out and get into the throttle again. Trying to slip/float the clutch like the stocker did not work. It seems as though it is an all or nothing clutch, it's out or it's in.

Reverse, I have a long driveway, I don't know, 500', 600', not sure. At times I have to back up this. It goes up steep hills then levels out to the trailer parking. When I back up this, 4 wheel drive low and put in reverse and let out clutch. Works good. If I have to back the trailer around a jobsite, or for that matter the truck it can get quite shaky, literally! Sometimes it feels like I'm gonna shake all the gear off my rig! Ain't much I can do, if I can dump the clutch and go that's great, smooth and easy, but when you can't just dump the clutch(backing out of a space at the mall for instance) get ready to rumble! Seems as though this is an inherent trait in these clutches.

Guys at southbend suggested I get a 450hp clutch because of my power adding components, I'd rather by a new clutch every few years and have a somewhat managable reverse, they told me 450hp would be worse. It's a good clutch, dang good clutch, slipped mine coming off of a river bank after we got done welding some beams and you could smell the smoke in the air. That was back in August, have had no issues from my Southbend. They have a customer for life, I promise that! Hope this info helps, at least you buddy will know what to expect when he get's it in and wonders, what the heck is with this clutch!

 

I disagree. Mostly right, but it's due to the type of friction lining. I like my Valiar clutch very much for the price and quality, but it uses a stock style lining thus no grabbiness. Kevlar and ceramic button you have to choose between clutch life and grabbiness, but stock lining still holds more power on my valair because the weakness is not the pressure plate or friction lining, but the hub.

http://valairinc.com/performance/24nv5600.html My clutch has not slipped with 35psi at the turbo, and I'm guessing 400hp. Tows just like the stock clutch but handles the power. $367

I HIGHLY ADVISE spending the extra 100 bucks to get a clutch that the hub extends to the edge of the friction lining. Stock clutch setups use a weak stamped sheet metal backing that is riveted to the hub. When I put a chip on top of my injectors THIS is what failed. My clutch never slipped, it wrinkled the weak friction backing.

 

Just remember that the stronger holding clutches are gonna be "grabbier" because they are stiffer and meant to hold more ponies.

Be realistic in what you have planned for the truck and don't go overboard.

Reverse is tied into 1st gear in the nv45/5600's and if you have tall rear gears your gonna need to learn too "speedback" the truck.

Its the one thing I do not like about the nv5600, the position of reverse in the shift pattern is a close 2nd.

 

Thanks guys for all the info. He is still trying to come up with the money so his mind is not set on any one thing yet. I will pass the info along. I am more familiar with the automatics than the manuals. I have done a few but they were in higher hp trucks that towed lighter. Thanks again. I will let you know what way he goes!

 

use a 4wd 2wd switch when backing. i installed one on my truck, makes backing very easy. Geno's have them for about 115.00 easy to install.