Just wondering if you guys would reccomend trying to do it yourself? I've never done a clutch, it doesn't seem that bad but i'm kinda worried about it. I don't have a great place to do it, just my driveway, and nothing for special tools, I know i'd need a good transmission jack, but not sure on other things. Just don't want to get the tranny out and realize i'm in over my head and don't have a clue what i'm doing. Or could anyone reccomend a good place to do it for somewhat cheap? Or anyone willing to do it on a weekend for some cash? I find it outragoues most places charge 8 hours while when researching many people are doing it in like 4, and with most shops labour rate well over $100/hour, that's a lot of coin!

I just dove into my axle u-joints without ever doing it and it was really easy, but I know theres a big difference between a clutch and axle u-joints...

As far as the clutch goes, I think i'm set on the Valair good for 400HP.

 

Easy To Do , It's About A 10 Hour Job , Don
T Need Any Weird Tools Just And Alinment Tool Te Should Come With The New Clutch , Well And A Good Jack Or Two Good Guys

 

10 hours? I haven't ever heard of them taking that long and the shops say only 8....

 

Its not bad at all...Did a couple of clutchs on the TA and Tate and myself have installed clutchs on our dodge trucks.My 95 got the SB Con OFE and Tate installed the SB dual disk on his 98.

 

Granted I'm a mechanic by trade (heavy duty) but I did my first clutch in a truck this summer on my 93'. Its really easy to do. Once you pull the trans you'll see how it comes apart and its a breeze. I'd replace the rear main seal while your in there, cheap insurance and you've got it apart already so you might as well.

I'd also look at getting a more heavy duty South-Bend clutch. I made almost 400hp at the wheels with my 04' last weekend at the chapter dyno meet in Red Deer and that's only with a basic programmer. I realize I have an auto but I'd imagine my flywheel HP is much more than whats at the wheels. Do the clutch once, no sense in having to upgrade down the road because your clutch is slipping.

Also a trans specific jack is a lifesaver. Thanks again to Tate for letting me borrow his when I did my clutch swap.

Any other questions, ask away. We'll try to help you out the best we can

 

yep it's a 8 hour job with air tools hoist and trany jack ,well really about 5 if have have done a few ,,, but by hand on the ground it's more like 10 hours ,,,, i didn't think you would have a hoist , air tools , and a good trany jack

 

Well, the stock rating on my truck is 325 hp, and 100hp for my edge on 5, so I think a 400hp clutch should be fine, if that is RWHP? I can't imagine my truck putting down 400 rwhp, and I don't push it hard. I might see if I can swing the 600 HP clutch that is $500 US but I don't know. Isn't that getting up there to needed upgraded hydralics? I know I cannot afford those to.

Yea for sure different for you being a mechanic and use to doing a lot of stuff like that. I have done quite a bit of suspension and wiring, but that's it. Nothing with a transmission ever.

Would any of you guys who've done it want to do another for some cash one weekend? If it's not going to cost me an arm and a leg, i'd much rather just get someone to do it. I am getting sick of working on my truck lately, everything seems to be going to hell at once

 

Weird, I though a lot of people were claiming they could do it in like 4 hours? I really have no idea, but just from what i've been reading.

I just don't trust shops time. They said 4 hours a side for axle shaft u-joints, I did one side in 2 hours on my driveway yesterday, and I don't have any fancy tools like them.

 

if you were in calgary i would just tell you to come to my shop and i would help you do it for a bit of cash

 

If you can, save up for the heavier clutch. Is your stocker slipping now? I'm not too familiar with 3rd gen sticks but I do think you need the upgraded hydraulics.

Really theres not much to it. Unbolt the driveshaft (chock the tires first lol), support the trans and tcase with the jack, undo any electrical connections and remove the slave cylinder and such. Unbolt the trans and pull it outta there. Unbolt the clutch, remove it and then unbolt the flywheel and pull it outta there. Reverse the above with the new clutch. Are you replacing the flywheel or getting it resurfaced?

 

Well that's the problem I can't really "save up" i'm in school atm, and barely working so I really don't want to spend anymore then I absolutely have to. SBC and valair say stock hydralics are ok on the lower clutches. It has slipped a few times, i'm sure I could baby it and it would last the winter, but it's getting worse all the time.

Yea i've got a guy willing to do the same thing in st paul. If I buy the clutch from him he said he'd even let me use his shop for free and help. But it's over 3 hours each way, and if I have no idea what i'm doing i'd feel like i'm taking advantage of his offer.

 

If you have a shop/work space and trans jack available I could give you a hand putting the new clutch in for a bit of cash. I usually have weekends off but we're gonna be pretty busy at work for at least the next month so I can't make any guarantees. Lemme know what you think or PM me.

 

Ive only got my driveway and it's exposed concrete so it sucks for a Jack. Truck won't fit in the garage. And the truck barely fits in the driveway so not a lot of room to work on the tranny. Yea my biggest problem is the room to do it.

 

Hmm I see. Well its not the end of the world if you do it outside. Just have to make sure it at least a semi-nice and dry day.

 

Yea I am thinking about it. I've got my moms garage, but it's pretty small, probably be worse then outside, and i'd have to bring all my tools and no help from my dad either whos done a few clutches a long time ago. I might just do it, but if I do I have to get on it asap before it gets cold, don't got very long. And the best part if I do it myself, I can buy the better clutch that is good for 600HP...