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Clutch options for a first gen Tacoma

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by 4runnercaged, Mar 13, 2014.

  1. Mar 13, 2014 at 7:39 PM
    #1
    4runnercaged

    4runnercaged [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey guys I have a 97 Tacoma and I am replacing the clutch.
    It's just my play truck. Caged and long traveled.

    What are some good clutch options? Should I stick with oem?
    I have the marlin crawler heavy duty clutch installed right now and I'm not a big fan. I may have installed it wrong or something but when I go into third gear sometimes there is a slight grind.

    I have to replace my current one because I blew my rear main seal.
     
  2. Mar 13, 2014 at 7:54 PM
    #2
    Lumpskie

    Lumpskie Independent Thinker

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    Is the grind in only one gear? If so, it sounds like it's your synchro that can't keep up in that gear. If that is the case, your rig may not like the oil you put in the transmission. Overall, that might be cheaper than getting a new clutch!
     
  3. Mar 13, 2014 at 8:03 PM
    #3
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    I have a heavy duty Marlin clutch and absolutely love it. Plenty of holding power and I don't grind any gears at all in mine. Maybe its something other than the clutch? Like stated above a syncro could be on its way out. :notsure:
     
  4. Mar 14, 2014 at 1:00 AM
    #4
    4runnercaged

    4runnercaged [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I am pretty sure it is in more than one gear, but I am not positive. It definitely happens in third gear most of the time. And I have to replace the clutch no matter what because I have a real bad rear main seal leak.

    I recently had the oil changed in the transmission and it didn't make a difference in how it shifts.

    Before I put the current clutch in, it shifted just fine the slight grind happened after I put the new collection. It only happens occasionally.
     
  5. Mar 14, 2014 at 8:28 AM
    #5
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Maybe a defective part. Just throwing ideas out here:
    Is the clutch releasing completely?
    Slave cylinder not having any issues?
     
  6. Mar 14, 2014 at 8:55 AM
    #6
    4runnercaged

    4runnercaged [OP] Well-Known Member

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    im pretty sure it is releasing completely.. how would i know? it doesnt rev up at all when the clutch is all the way out.



    how would i go about checking the slave cylinder?
     
  7. Mar 14, 2014 at 9:05 AM
    #7
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    With the clutch out (foot off pedal) it shouldn't rev up. If it does that's a sign of a worn clutch usually. Mine started doing that.

    If it does not release all the way the transmission may still be trying to turn under a small amount of power causing your gears to grind.

    Slave cylinder is on drivers side of bell housing. Has a hydraulic line running to it. Is any of that leaking?
     
  8. Mar 14, 2014 at 9:09 AM
    #8
    flatblack

    flatblack Well-Known Member

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    Got the Marlin 1200lbs myself... freaking... amazing...
    And I got it in the first place cause that's what everyone who runs it (like the guy I quoted) says
    Gotta doubt it's the clutch

    I agree with others... check out your hydraulics first

    An easy(ier) way to check whether or not your clutch is disengaging all the way is to jack the rear-end up
    Hold your clutch in, while in 1st, and see if your tires spin AT ALL
     
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2014
  9. Mar 14, 2014 at 9:51 AM
    #9
    4runnercaged

    4runnercaged [OP] Well-Known Member

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    it only has a slight grind just for a second right before setting the shifter completely in place.

    it doesnt rev up at all.

    im probably going to get the same one. im sure i just installed it a little off or something.

    i will check my slave cylinder tonight, and ill jack up the rear tires
     
  10. Mar 17, 2014 at 9:56 AM
    #10
    4runnercaged

    4runnercaged [OP] Well-Known Member

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    what other options are out there for the first gens? i was going to get another marlin crawler heavy duth clutch but they wont have any for a few more weeks
     
  11. Mar 17, 2014 at 10:38 AM
    #11
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Centerforce is a good option.
    LCE engineering is another good option.
     
  12. Mar 17, 2014 at 10:51 AM
    #12
    4runnercaged

    4runnercaged [OP] Well-Known Member

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    i am probably going to get the LCE clutch.
     
  13. Mar 17, 2014 at 11:12 AM
    #13
    Southern01Taco

    Southern01Taco Well-Known Member

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    I'm running the stage 3 Competition Clutch that URD sells for the v6 and it is doing great.
     
  14. Mar 17, 2014 at 11:15 AM
    #14
    JLee

    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    I lost track thousands of dollars ago.
    I'm going this route as well as the 38lb flywheel.
     
  15. Mar 17, 2014 at 11:18 AM
    #15
    4runnercaged

    4runnercaged [OP] Well-Known Member

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    just ordered!
    i didnt get a flywheel because the one on my truck is brand new from a year ago. it was from a marlin crawler HD one.

    am i going to regret not getting a flywheel as well?
     
  16. Mar 17, 2014 at 11:20 AM
    #16
    RAT PRODUCTS

    RAT PRODUCTS Well-Known Member

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    Smokin with a smarty.
    I'm putting in a Spec stage 2 clutch this week, along with a new flywheel. From the reading I did, they are good clutches and it was quite a bit cheaper than Centerforce, URD, or LCE since I got it on sale.
     
  17. Mar 17, 2014 at 11:51 AM
    #17
    JLee

    JLee The Man! Vendor

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    I lost track thousands of dollars ago.
    I think as long as it's flat you should be good. You might want to have the face machined just to make sure.
     
  18. Mar 17, 2014 at 12:21 PM
    #18
    4runnercaged

    4runnercaged [OP] Well-Known Member

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    i will do that, thanks dude
     
  19. Mar 17, 2014 at 7:45 PM
    #19
    AZHornet

    AZHornet Well-Known Member

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    So when I had my clutch put in late last year, I had them check the flywheel. Shop called me and said there was no need to resurface....after 160K miles it still looked brand new. May you have the same luck. :D
     
  20. Mar 18, 2014 at 8:59 AM
    #20
    4runnercaged

    4runnercaged [OP] Well-Known Member

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    the flywheel is only a year or so old with like 10k miles on it so i think ill be good!!!
    thanks guys
     

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