Heavy clutch 2009 access cab 4.0

Just bought a 2009 access cab 4.0 MT. The truck is great. The clutch seems heavy. 140,000 miles. No records. The clutch does not slip. I went slowly up a hill in 5th gear and it kept on pulling without slipping. Other cars that I have owned in the past & a current 6 speed car of mine does not have a clutch this heavy. Is this normal??? Is there any adjustments that can be made to the clutch? Would changing the gear oil or transmission fluid help?

thank you,

 

Changing the trans fluid won't help clutch feel. Several things could be going on. The clutch master cycl could not be providing enough to pressure to the slave. Slave cyl could be failing or the pressure plate could be binding.

 

It might be completely normal. I can say with authority that the clutch is a lot harder to push on a 5-speed Tacoma than on a 6-speed Subaru. Something to do with more torque needing stronger springs
Remember that passenger cars tend to have a lot less crankshaft torque than a truck, even if they are the same or higher horsepower.

If you're looking to test for clutch slip, 3rd or 4th gear climbing a steepish hill on the highway at around 55 mph full throttle is where you'd be most likely to notice it. At low speed in 5th, it just won't be delivering all that much torque, and thus won't slip.

 

I agree, that this could be normal. My stock clutch pedal feel in my 6spd was very soft. After upgrading to an aftermarket racing clutch, it was a much stiffer pedal. That might be all it is.. When it grabs, does it grab hard, or are you able to slip it easily if you need to?

 

The clutch definitely grabs hard. Feels great. Just stiff!!!

 

It's a heavy clutch.

 

Maybe flush the clutch system, could be the slave cylinder going out. I had to replaced my clutch master cylinder at 110k, so I wouldn't doubt it is getting old.

I am not bothered by the clutch in my taco, though. My last car was a cable actuated clutch.

 

My son's new Rubicon Jeep is a six speed manual and so is my 2014 Taco. When he comes for a visit, I always drive his Jeep while we're out tooling around. That way, he can gawk at the scenery, and I get to drive a new Jeep. I'm not a Chrysler fan, but that's another thread. His Jeep is pretty cool.
His clutch is noticeably softer than mine. I just figure it's because our trucks were designed to haul more weight, thus a stiffer clutch engagement.
If it's smooth, and the pedal returns to it's normal height every time, there's a good chance it's fine and what you're feeling is normal. See if you can find someone else in your area with a similar truck and compare the two.
Where are you located?

 

Fuquay-Varina Nc near Raleigh.