Topic: Clutch options??

[Bigboi]

i have a 1998 Dodge Dakota 2wd equipped with a 2.5 and AX-15 5 speed transmission, IMO the engine isnt powerful enough for the 3300lb truck, the part i am most concerned about, is my clutch, i made the mistake of buying a Chinese clutch kit, my clutch is brand new, and i have to pull my foot out all the way to fully engage the clutch, i am going to have to buy a nice clutch kit so i dont have this problem anymore, ive changed out the master/slave cylinder due to other non clutch related issues, and it still feels the same as before, so its probably pressure plate related, but im not exactly sure...

My initial engine rebuild i decided to to because my engine had a little bit of a blow by then i blew the clutch disk out, and i dont really want to get down on my clutch like ive done before, What would be a stronger clutch than an Exedy clutch kit??

[sharpxmen]

you always have to fully release the clutch regardless of how good it is (not saying the one you have now is perfect), the hydraulic clutch is self-adjusting so it will touch the pressure plate with the clutch fully released, as soon as you move it 1/8 or an inch or so will start disengaging. If the master or slave bleed a little then you get away with releasing 1/2 way and be fine (not slipping) - don't ask me how i know, i replaced my master/slave with new and if you have long legs and big feet takes a bit to get used to the new travel.

[Bounty Hunter]

I recommend a LUK brand OEM clutch.

[dwtaylorpdx]

I've had several Centerforce Clutches, if you drive hard, they are tough and last very well ...

BTW your 2wd dodge is lighter than my YJ... :)

I'm about 3600 rolling across the scale.. and your right its kinda low on power for 3500 lb rigs..

[Bigboi]

you always have to fully release the clutch regardless of how good it is (not saying the one you have now is perfect), the hydraulic clutch is self-adjusting so it will touch the pressure plate with the clutch fully released, as soon as you move it 1/8 or an inch or so will start disengaging. If the master or slave bleed a little then you get away with releasing 1/2 way and be fine (not slipping) - don't ask me how i know, i replaced my master/slave with new and if you have long legs and big feet takes a bit to get used to the new travel.

pedal has to be Fully released to be fully engaged, like if i had a burnt out clutch on my cable trans hondas... To me it doesnt feel right, but it has Always felt that way, even with the clutch i bought the truck with, and after the chinese clutch kit

I've had several Centerforce Clutches, if you drive hard, they are tough and last very well ...

BTW your 2wd dodge is lighter than my YJ... :)

I'm about 3600 rolling across the scale.. and your right its kinda low on power for 3500 lb rigs..

I live in Florida, i drive quite hard at times, after snapping the last clutch disk, i feel as if ima break this one too, so i dont engage/disengage as hard as i used to, a guy in a Silverado v8 got next to me and i punched it to catch up to traffic, He punched to feel better about having a bigger engine, we get to the light, and i asked "Why u gotta pick on the lil truck for??", he replies "Just showin ya what 2 more cylinders will get you!!!" i Laughed then threw up 4 fingers and said "im runnin a 2.5", he then got this look on his face like   shut up and left me alone

I will look into the centerforce clutch thanks for the recommendation, i figured jeeps were in the 2500-3500lb range, just not too sure of exact numbers

[sharpxmen]

pedal has to be Fully released to be fully engaged, like if i had a burnt out clutch on my cable trans hondas... To me it doesnt feel right, but it has Always felt that way, even with the clutch i bought the truck with, and after the chinese clutch kit

i have something like 1'' free travel at the pedal which is probably just until the mc piston goes past the fill hole, from there on you have engaged the pressure plate so there's not much to do from there. If the material is sub-standard it will of course slip quicker than a good one.

I also use Luk clutches, they are made in china or mexico though but at least you have the materials guaranteed and not whatever they find at the time.

[dwtaylorpdx]

Yea I should mention, I run the Centerforce Dual friction, otherwise the LUK is the way to go.

You also have to get used to the centerforce feedback, the centerforce pushes back (Pedal feels stiffer) as you rev the engine some people cant stand it.

[Jeffy]

The strange thing about Centerforce is that they promote the weights heavily.  Problem is the 2.5L doesn't allow the use of the weights.

I think if you use a name brand clutch like Luk's, Hay's, Exedy, etc... you'll be fine.

[Bigboi]

Yea I should mention, I run the Centerforce Dual friction, otherwise the LUK is the way to go.

You also have to get used to the centerforce feedback, the centerforce pushes back (Pedal feels stiffer) as you rev the engine some people cant stand it.

Well i am a Pro M/T guy.... i HATE, i mean HAAAATE!!!! Automatic transmissions....... i cannot express my hate for automatic transmissions enough.. i most certainly wouldnt mind the pushing back while revving

The strange thing about Centerforce is that they promote the weights heavily.  Problem is the 2.5L doesn't allow the use of the weights.

I think if you use a name brand clutch like Luk's, Hay's, Exedy, etc... you'll be fine.

Is Dwtaylorpdx not running a 2.5??


And when i mean it feels quite odd.... like i said, the distance i have to release the pedal in order to be fully engaged feels like if i had a worn out clutch disk with a few thousand miles left, the distance i have to release in order to get rolling would be about 3/4 of the way out, and say 7/8 of the way out just to fully grip, but it never slips, ALL of the M/T's ive ever driven i can roll with the pedal about 1/4 of the way out, and be fully engaged by say 1/2 way out... In my own personal experience

[dwtaylorpdx]

The strange thing about Centerforce is that they promote the weights heavily.  Problem is the 2.5L doesn't allow the use of the weights.

I think if you use a name brand clutch like Luk's, Hay's, Exedy, etc... you'll be fine.

i called CF direct, they hooked me up with a wharehouse with the correct unit in stock. 
I like the dual friction for the disk. I've never had a disk that would tolerate the abuse that the dual friction will without glazing over. But like I said unless your using it extra hard, I'd go Luk or a standard clutch. There are some similar clutches from the aftermarket that use differential lining like CF but without the weighted cover..