Hello again, guys. For the past two days I've been test driving the Dodge Ram 6.7 CTD trucks with both auto and stick. It's virtually impossible to obtain a 3500 6.7 CTD w/auto tranny without having to order it. There seems to be a glut of manual tranny trucks around in these parts (WA-ID border). I like manual trannies but feel that the clutch grabs too high in the pedal travel. I'm used to my 5-speed Saturn car's clutch pedal, which grabs much sooner. Because of this difference I found driving the manual shift Dodge quite cumbersome, although I think I'd get used to it in time. It was embarrassing, like I was driving stick for the first time. So, can the pedal travel be adjusted? I await your opinions.

 

Not adjustable AFIK. It's a hydraulic clutch, so it is what it is. IMO, the clutch should grab/release towards the top of the travel. If it's grabbing/releasing down towards the floor boards, that's not only an inconvienece (have to push the pedal all th way down), but has usually indicated a problem in my past vehicles (clutch slipping, slave or master cyl leaking).

 

I also say it should be grabbing near the top. If not then something is wrong. Either clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder, or improperly machined flywheel.

 

In my thread "gonna run out of clutch" I was saying that when my truck was brand new, I was surprised that the clutch engaged so soon in the pedal travel. And; now that it has 12000 miles on it I was worried about how high in the travel it engages. Glad to hear that engagement high in the travel is the norm. I will mention it to my tech though, because the transition it has gone through puzzles me. Anybody got thoughts on that?

 

Yes, air in the lines. Make sure your clutch master cylinder fluid is at the full mark. Sometimes this has happened when I have put a new clutch in a car. I will blead it and correct the problem. Sometimes it just has to work itself out. Some people have the clutch pedal adjusted incorrectly that will cause this and other issues. It takes time and patience to get it adjusted correctly again. Glad to hear it is it closer to the top.

 

Like others have said, the clutch release point is high and it is normal.

 

Thanks, gents. I did my final test drive of a manual-equipped Dodge Ram 3500 truck and decided I liked it....just took a little getting used to AND....I BOUGHT IT!

Specs:

2007 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7 CTD QC/SB/SRW/4X4 + Big Horn package

I'll most likely be asking questions as I get used to my new truck

 

I know what you mean!! I like my clutchs in my mustangs! They are manual and cable clutch and I have those babys where they engage flat dab in the middle!!