Clutch Selection

I almost put this in technical but then decided to not, not sure which would be better.

Also I am aware there are tons of threads on this and have sifted through a lot but being I use my Tacoma slightly different then most of you I didn't find anything I was super keen on.

I just came into possession of a MT, 3.4, 4wd 1st gen. Originally didn't think I was going to have to do any tranny work in the near future, had a few hiccups this weekend that has me thinking otherwise though. So plan on doing some tear down and inspecting and figure while I am there might as well do some maintenance and replacing too.

Main question is the clutch; most of MT experience has been in small sports cars. But I am trying to decide which direction to go with clutch selection.

Its gonna be my new daily, and it will see lumber store runs and traffic more than it will the trails. My 2nd gen is the trail warrior lol. My new 1st gen will see the trails some but only on a light scale, hunting, getting to my fishing spots, etc. Low speed, low load, light off road driving. I may encounter some elevation/incline every now and again but being in GA we are flat land mostly - for all intensive purposes its a flat land vehicle.

I also plan to have it supercharged in the near future so I want to make sure to leave room to size up into that - I am pretty sure the torque increase isn't enough to need to advance into a higher stage clutch but just want to verify that sentiment.

SO with all that being said, I have seem a lot of suggestions/talk for crawlers, from the trail gang, loaded trucks, and heavy rigs. But I am looking for suggestions for more street, with a little offroad, and the slight SC power increase. Hill starts, traffic, low gear cruising, chatter, longevity, stock-ish (softer) pedal feel, are all things I have on my mind. Money isn't a huge factor as long as its WORTH its price tag. What suggestions we got? What are you guys running that use their truck similarly?

Was thinking going slightly better performance than the stock rated clutch but obviously don't think I NEED anything better than stock, but nicer is always good. One of the LCE kits maybe? Whats your guys thoughts?

Sorry for the long read LOL.

 

Your intended use doesn't sound any different from just about anyone else using a 4x4 pickup truck.

Super charger is a factory option, so I don't see any reason you'd need some super beef clutch.

 

Being Honest it comes down to your driving Habits I have seen brand New Clutches ruined by the Clueless in 20 miles..

Any of the name brand should work I have Aisin in one Luk in another The Marlin Crawler 1200 # in another the major difference over a stock clutch is the ability to get hot and recover.

I haul heavy and tow engine drive welders from the woods to the cities.

I would avoid the store brands of the box stores

 

I have a supercharged 5spd that I do take wheeling and have for the last 5 years I've had the truck - about 4.5 years ago I got a new clutch put in it (tried having a performance clutch installed but they screwed up the install).

Long story short, I ended up having another stock clutch put in by Toyota. That was over 4 years ago and 60k miles, lots of technical 4x4 wheeling, and its still going strong. Even with the supercharger.

That being said I don't race around town, I'm pretty conservative with my shifting patterns on the street. If you really want to push it and do high RPM/redline shifts at full boost then I would definitely look into a performance clutch kit. Otherwise I think the stock OEM clutch works fine. I think it's Aisin brand? Someone else will have to confirm that

 

My only complain with the stock clutch is that, if you're truck gets heavy (steel armor, bigger tires etc) the stock one does not grab well from a dead stop to get the truck going. It's easy to slip/feather it too much or stall out if you're not careful. The sweet spot is very small. You get used to it though lol.

 

100% I have seen a lot of forum talk about more of the HD clutches like the marlin etc. which I knew was overkill for me, why I was seeing what others were running. Really just want to know if there is any that give a better clutch feel/driving experience outside of the OE aisin/exedy clutch.

Yeah my worn clutch is doing that now so I feel that completely haha. But no plans for heavier by any means just want the best I can get for the money really, on a more stock build.

 

AISIN stock clutch will go potentially hundreds of thousands of miles on the street in these trucks if you don't abuse it. Find it on Rockauto.

 

Oh for sure, no question there at all. More worried about driving experience, longevity will be plenty whichever route I go.

 

Been looking at the LCE street or maybe pro clutch kit. Anyone used/have on of these clutch kits?

Also from my Marlin guys (@Wyoming09) I am assuming on an unloaded truck on the street the extra grab from the Marlin is gonna be noticeably more than ideal, or is it mild grab?

Curious how they drive in relation to the OE clutches, like Aisin. Juggling one of those currently I think though. (LCE vs Aisin vs Marlin)

 

That's really more of a personal preference question. It sounds like you don't want a grabby clutch which is OK. I prefer the grabby clutch feel because the engagement point is more apparent and it feels like I have more control. If you area a spirited driver a heavy clutch might hold up to the SC better and make the truck feel more sporty.

I have an Exedy clutch. Pedal feel is heavier than stock but the clutch hooks up well and has lasted for 50k miles of life under a heavy truck in stop and go traffic, mountain passes, and rock crawling with some of those miles running 35s on stock gears. The throwout bearing is making noise, though.

I have a new one of the same waiting to go in when the time comes.

 

miles matter even tho U will tear down

check the slave cylinder if Ur 1str gen doesn't have linkage

flywheel might need refacing
better yet new 1
new throwout
new universal

 

I have driven so many many vehicles with Hydraulic Clutches I really can not tell a difference.

I wish you were closer I would put you in the vehicles and let you tell me which Clutch your driving.

Where the better clutches shine is the ability to recover from over heating .

Now in the olden days in the seventies with 500 horse power and up cars with a mechanical linkage clutch one could feel much more how the clutch grabbed between a heavy duty and stock clutch.

 

That's worth noting too -- I've overheated this clutch to the point where it would not grab at all til it cooled down. Two years later it is still going strong

 

Definitely, I guess just curious on hearing some opinions on what people like and are running (outside of the Aisin) for street use.

Majority of my MT experience has been in high revving turbo'ed rotaries. Lol. Which I was always running aggressive clutches but at the time the clutch was seen as more of a wear item, so I didn't stress it. Clutch issues? Give it more gas. Too much gas? Time for counter steer. IIRC I ended up falling in love with an Exedy and ran that religiously going forward.

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So I can definitely drive a clutch with more grab but what I am trying to avoid is when cruising in heavy traffic, cruising the parking deck, backing up my driveway (massive incline), etc - I don't want to have to deal with choosing between dealing with either bucking or revving higher/riding the clutch more. Now if it still has clean smooth engagement while giving more clamping force, sweet, that would be ideal imo and for what I plan with the truck but the grab is not THE priority just would be a nice bonus to have. If that makes sense haha.

Essentially would like to get a more aggressive clutch knowing I do drive spirited and will more so once its gets supercharged and the fact it gives me a tiny bit for flexibility with use. But I just don't want to diminish street drivability too much for a more aggressive clutch knowing I want be crawling or hauling (much) or thrashing it. So without just swapping clutches to find what my preference is, I'm wondering what people are running while I try to find that sweet spot for what I want. And it may end up being the Aisin, but I know its for sure not going to be one of the heavily aggressive off road clutches. So curious about the middle ground clutches like the low end LCE kits, etc. and everyones experience.

Albeit, let me throw it out there, I have only driven a 1st gen on a worn clutch so I REALLY haven't gotten to drive a nicely broken in OE clutch. But I have to work with what knowledge I have currently. Lol

 

Gotta be someone close that will let you go for a ride or even drive.

Without you having a clue just what clutch is in the truck.

Driving styles are quite different between a heavy 4x4 and and a very light sports car it has been an easy 20 plus years since I have been in a car.

The only time one might have a issue is before the truck warms up and the idle is at 1500 rpm backing into the garage can be interesting .

I have never had to ride the clutch even in very heavy stop and go traffic that is more driving style just put it in first gear and leave a nice gap never start and stop.

 

Yeah reverse is a nightmare, by the time I can get the clutch cleanly released I end up HAULING otherwise I am on the clutch a lot lmao.

And see one of my biggest complaints currently is how chunky it drives on and off the gas while in first, which I am hoping will clear up when I do a slight regear but until then I avoid cruising in first, otherwise I will be seeing a chiropractor hahaha.

 

The reverse ratio is pretty aggressive, I generally just ride the clutch instead of fully letting it out.

 

I bought a used tacoma recently and I'm learning manual on it. It's got slightly larger tires but other than that is not heavy but this is how mine feels. Can't tell if I'm just bad still though or if it's worn

 

Its normal as far as I'm concerned. The stock clutch is great for a stock truck, but when you put on heavier tires and more weight in general it gets that sort of mashed potato feeling that makes it harder to feel the sweet spot/grab especially from a stop.

 

Didn't even dawn on me about tires, mine aren't huge they are either 31 or 32"... stock is what like 29"ish? Might be a small part of why she wants to buck so much