SuaveGato

Hello,
I'm replacing my clutch (1996 Taco 4x4, 3.4 liter, 5 speed, ADD). A friend of mine did his Ford Ranger and used a Luk Gold and I really like the way it feels, shifts, engages etc. But have also heard good stuff about Center Force too? An some say stock OEM is best. Any input / experience would be appreciated. Oh, I should also tell you this is not a "hard core" wheeler or rock crawler... No regearing, 32 in tires, 2" lift. Not a daily driver either.
thanks,

boogyman

I believe most of the people around here go for either centerforce, OEM, or TRD. If you've gotten good milage out of the OEM, I'd probably just stick with that.

CoedNaked

I'd stick with OEM unless you're towing. Then I'd have a look at the TRD clutch.

kyle_22r

trd doesn't really make anything these days, they just rebadge other companies' stuff.

i like my exedy clutches, however they do feel a little light on the pedal. they don't slip no matter how hard i thrash them, though.

SuaveGato

I will be doing some towing with it but nothing too heavy... a trailer with 2 quads or two snow mobiles, depending on time of year. And since this is mainly a hunting rig, it will be pretty loaded with gear too. Has anyone ever heard of LUK clutches? My buddies mechanic recommended it and I really like the way it "feels" but don't know anything else about them?
thanks,

Bigvick

EXEDY is where I work, so I can vouch for their clutches. We have a very good QA dept. and everything gets checked and double checked. Although the clutch you have was probably made at the plant in Japan. The only ones we make here are stock clutches that goes into some vehicles from the factory. We also make stock torque converters for auto's. If you ever see a clutch that says Daikin Clutch, it's the same company, just changed their name to Exedy. Just thought I'd chime in.

4x4Lamm

I loved the Zoom clutch in my old 4Runner.

Lamm

shiftless89

I have the Luk pro gold, its going on 30k miles. no slip, grabs like a mofo. the pedal is heavy since the pressure plate has beafier springs. no complaints (although my wife thinks the pedal feal is a bit too firm)

Snorkeldepth

My original OEM lasted 180k and I currently have 57k on the OEM replacement.

SuaveGato

Thanks for the replies. My OEM is still going strong, no slip, no chatter at all. In fact, if I put it in 5th. gear at a stop and try to take off, no matter how I feather the clutch and work the RPM's she won't budge... The clutch just engages and kills the motor! Anyway, The only reason I am doing it is because it has 150,000 and there is a squeal coming from it that is driving me NUTS! in N with the clutch out it just squeaks as it turns... Pilot bearing? squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, as it sits there and Idles. If I just barely rest my foot against the clutch pedal, it goes away with about a 1/4 in of engagement pressure... Drives me nuts! So I figure since I will be there, might as well put in a new clutch plate and turn the flywheel. Will check the rear seal & do a new throw out bearing too. Anything else I should do while I'm there?
thanks,

youngbuck

My uncle who's a mechanic swears by LUK clutches, I dont' know much about them though. I know for a fact you can't go wrong with the OEM clutch. If you plan on really thrashing on it, especially in hot weather, then I might consider something else, like centerforce or luk.