Recommended Clutch?

My 1995 is developing a shutter at takeoff, and I think I am hearing some noise from the throw-out bearing. The clutch feels good, but I will go ahead and replace it when I resurface the flywheel and replace the throwout bearing (and pilot and RMS while I am in there)

is there a recommendation for replacement? Is this an always go OEM or is there something better? I wouldn’t mind a lighter clutch feel. This truck has one of the stiffest clutches of any car I have ever had.

 

We just put a Luk clutch kit in my friend's '98 (V6) Tacoma, and it'll worked out well and feels good. I put an Aisin clutch kit in mine about 4 years ago and it's been great with no issues. Here's a link to an Aisin kit from Yotashop:

https://www.yotashop.com/clutch-kit...iO4DtqDBCmnXveTCNPWdjKExkR7hD1DAaAk5rEALw_wcB

By the way, I think something is wrong with your current clutch setup if it's the stiffest clutch you've ever felt. I think the clutches in these trucks are quite soft. I had a 2019 WRX STI and that clutch was easily twice as stiff as my Tacoma

 

Aisin is OEM. I used the one from Yotashop.

I would replace the pivot ball, fork, throwout bearing, pilot and the rear main seal while everything is open. Its only a few dollars extra and only takes a few minutes to install.

 

Agreed 100%^^^^

 

Can't go wrong with Luk or Aisin for OEM style replacement. Like mentioned above either should have a relatively light feel if everything is in working order.

Avoid Exedy or other performance marketed clutches, they have a much stiffer pedal and smaller engagement window.

 

Most factory replacement clutches are fine, but there is usually a popular clutch per model. If you don't like OEM, then it is worth looking into other options.

Strong disagree with this part about Exedy. Exedy stage 1 (organic) clutches are fantastic. They are always my recommendation for this scenario and I came here to recommend them specifically. The pedal feel is perfect - precise but forgiving and lighter than stock in every vehicle I've driven them in. I put an Exedy in a previous vehicle and loved it. I hated its factory clutch (found it to be wayyy too heavy) and the Exedy completely fixed the issue and had better clamping force. Daily drivability was much improved after installing. On the other hand, the previous owner of my 87 Supra installed a Luk and while it's fine, I miss the Exedy. It's hard to compare because they are completely different transmissions, but I will be changing the Luk out if the trans ever comes out.

There might be something different about the Exedy for this specific application, but I really can't see their stage 1 being stiffer than stock.

 

I've been rocking an Exedy clutch for over 10 years and have another on the shelf to replace it when it goes. that said it's been so long that I don't recall if I ordered the OEM equivalent or the performance clutch so we might be comparing apples to oranges.

In my case the engagement is absolutely more stiff and aggressive than stock with a smaller engagement window compared to the Aisin it replaced or the Luk in my other truck.

 

All good info above. The original OEM Toyota/AISIN clutch disc in my '97 3.4L Taco Xcab 4X4 was a very HD part with the same basic design as the EXEDY & LUK disc. But I also went with a JAPAN aftermarket AISIN kit. RockAuto had the best price I could find when I R&R'd mine. The only part of the aftermarket AISIN kit that was not marked JAPAN was the KOYO pilot bearing, so I picked up an OEM Toyota JAPAN pilot bearing (approx. $7) just to be sure. I could not find a reputable shop in my area to properly resurface my OEM flywheel, so installed a new aftermarket LUK flywheel. 2 years in with the AISIN clutch kit/LUK flywheel and it has been absolutely excellent even when off-roading with very heavy loads of gravel for offroad trail repairs. But if you routinely tow a large boat or haul heavy loads, an EXEDY or LUK kit with the HD type disc would be a great choice with lots of high ratings from off-roaders. The LUK clutch kit for the 3.4L is on sale right now at RockAuto for $123. Use a RockAuto 5% off code (291179512258312572 should work right now) when ordering for additional savings.

And yes, the OEM Toyota/AISIN and aftermarket AISIN clutches in my '97 V6 Taco 4X4 have always had a soft petal feel. But they never slipped/smoked in 28 years even under very heavy offroad loads going uphill as shown below. And that is the reason I went back with a new aftermarket AISIN kit.

Loading up my '97 V6 Taco Xcab 4X4 with sand/gravel for the 5th time that day while doing road & trail repairs with the aftermarket AISIN clutch kit installed. And I did this with my Taco routinely for well over 2 decades. The Taco and the AISIN clutches both work good, lasts very long time!

 

plus 1 for that RA discount card!!!!!!

my neighbor rebuilding front suspension of his 08 silverado bought $1400 of parts.....
that $70 helps alot!!!!

still the most so far i have saved is like $3!