dragr1

iTrader: (3)

Who has towed a 3000 pound plus trailer with their 5 spd V6 third gen? Preferably those of you who are lifted with bigger tires. I have the 3.4 V6 with a 5spd and 4.30 gears on 33" tires and today I tried to tow a 3000 pound camper. It was fine until I tried to start on a hill from a stop-then I smoked the hell out of the clutch and didn't move. This was a pretty steep hill. I am wanting to know if I could tow 3000 to 3500 pounds reliably with 4.88 gears in the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina, so:

Please tell me what you have towed with your specs on your vehicle and your gear ratio and tire size. Tacoma guys please respond too.

dragr1

iTrader: (3)

bact to top, come on guys

02SE

I have a friend that towed a Boat that weighed 6000 lbs., with a T-100 truck. Same engine, tranny, 4.10:1 axle ratio, and stock size tires with no problems.

And 6000 lbs., is over that trucks rated towing capacity.

I don't know if that helps at all, but at least you know that heavy weights have been towed successfully.

Jonathan

I've towed a loaded down U-haul trailor, not quite sure how heavy it was but it was definetely heavy. I have 4.10's and it seemed to pull fine up and down hills (I mean as well as expected) but I never started on a hill so I couldn't really tell you. I'm sure the 4.88's would help drastically going from 4.30's. I would love to at least re-gear to 4.56's.

yellowspeedracer

i tow about 4500lbs with my v6 taco frequently and have worried about having to replace my clutch sooner than i'd like. i have put it in 4lo a few times when starting out on a steep hill then switching back to 2hi after i get going.

dragr1

iTrader: (3)

You can switch from 4lo to 2hi while moving?

Jonathan

Yeah you can. I think you might have to be going 5mph or under to do it but it can be done. We have this one hill on campus that I have to put my truck in 4lo so i don't waste my clutch if I have to start on it, but I always switch back out before I get going too fast.

dragr1

iTrader: (3)

Huh, I'll have to try that. The Marlin twin stick might help me out.

NorCalVP

I've towed about 6500 lbs with my 96 with loaded down U-haul, No starting on hills, but it did OK on towing it up the hills.

You can shift from 4 lo to 4hi and then into 2hi if you want, but Marlin's twinstick would be better suited for that.

yellowspeedracer

actually you can go from 4lo to 2hi anytime, i think im usually going about 20 when i switch. you can't go into 4lo unless you're almost stopped.


dragr1: yea that will come in handy, i want to get a twin stick

saletel

if you have the pushbutton 4 wheel drive you can unplug a plug to the transfer case to have 2-lo

3car

get a better aftermarket clutch such as centerforce

Jonathan

Actually the Toyota factory clutch is about the strongest out there and isn't too much different from the Centerforce.

gwhayduke

When I replaced the clutch on my '95 2nd gen, I went with a TRD Kit that had a heavy duty clutch and a 5lb heavier flywheel. I notice that there is a kit for 3rd gens, but I can't find a description of it. The heavier flywheel on the 3.0 made it MUCH easier on takeoffs. I'd love to have a heavier flywheel on my '99.

3car

my buddy was having a similar problem on his 02' taco with 15,000 miles on it when pulling his 21' proline center console out of the water. he dropped in a centerforce dual friction clutch, and problem solved.

dragr1

iTrader: (3)

I have looked for info on the TRD clutch and there is none out there. I thought maybe the flywheel for a second gen would work, but according to Marlins site, the 2nd gen clutch is slightly smaller.

Know anyone that knows what they're talking about at TRD that I can talk to and ask?

A heavier flywheel would be great and a stronger clutch (maybe Marlin or TRD?), but I would like the pedal pressure to stay light so I don't get a workout when I'm offroad and pushing the clutch a lot.

gwhayduke

I emailed TRD. We'll see what they have to say.

dragr1

iTrader: (3)

Thanks, there is also a clutch discussion going on over on TTORA.

yellowspeedracer

FWIW i have a clutch masters stage 4 on my car and it feels almost stock....no workout here. i think they just changed the pivot point to reduce the pedal pressure needed

Mad Chemist

Dragr1,

PM Albequerque Jim- I know he was purchased some sort of racing clutch friction plate, just don't remember the name, where, or how much.