Victor

I just got off the phone with Marlin. What a great guy. He took about 10 mins to go through some of the finer details of the clutch install and what I should expect as the clutch breaks in. He recommended a 22 thousands step machining on the flywheel for a close to stock feel and a 26 thousands step machining for a hard clamping feel. I have to say that I am very thankful for his time and interest.

He even let me know that he used to order a lot of stuff from one of my local dealers. Seems like a lot of you are running around on Toyota parts bought from this local dealer! Too bad they aren't giving him the great prices any more but it was nice while it lasted I'm sure.

He even let me know that the clutch has a 1 year guarantee so I better try my best to kill it and get on it. What a guy!

donc

What about a new picture with all your new stuff on the "turtle".
I've been looking at your reply about the hubs - thanks - and have the first one apart to clean. I bought paint but want to change color of the knob closer to "stock" color or maybe yellow...

Victor

Wow - an excuse to post more pics. Love it!

Victor

Here's a shot that shows the rear. Take note that there is more weight in there than it seems - I normally carry over 100 lbs every day in assorted stuff I have crammed in there. Add at least 50 lbs in the ice chest and all the junk and the backseat and we are easily over 300 lbs I think.

Victor

Here's the truck from the side. I am very close to 14.75" to level the front with the Downey HD in the rear. What you can't see is a lot of stuff in the back, a couple of kids, and a full tank. Normally the rear sits slightly higher than the front.

sschaefer3

In May Marlin will be putting a new clutch in my 4RUnner as well.

jroc

What tranny do you guys have? I have a 5vz engine with the r150r tranny. That's in my T100. I got the Marlin heavy duty clutch for mine and what I got was the ASCO clutch kit with "Marlin" Dremel scribed on it. Marlin says the clutch is a step up from stock. When I opened up the tranny I found the exact same clutch as this one. It was priced about the same as OEM from the dealer but was listed as "Heavy Duty", and that it ain't. I'm not saying in the future I won't do business with Marlin but I'll ask more questions.

It might be "HD" for a R150 tranny on a 3vz motor. Look at the one you take out (stock) and see if it has the number CT-107 on the plate. If it does you are getting the same clutch. If it has CT-106 then it is a step up for you. 1200# pressure for the CT-107.

ErikB from pbb/obb and I just had this same discussion. Marlin needs to clarify.

jroc

You aren't installing it?

sschaefer3

Nope. Marlin himself is.

Pat Murphy put a Centerforce in his 3rd Gen and said the OEM was better or at least the same. He still says to this day it was a waste. When I spoke to Marlin he said it was a Japaneese clutch that they liked. Nothing about heavy duty.

I just need a new stocker. With a 223 to 1 crawl a stock clutch will be fine.

jroc

I was going on the website which states that the kits are a "step" above stock. Only thing is the 5VZ application was not listed so I called and was told "no" we don't have one for the T100 and that was that. Surlynkid told me to ask for the kit for the engine/tranny set up not the vehicle....so I called back and was told that "yes we have a kit for the 5VZ/R150F" so I bought.

When it arrived I was stunned to see ASCO so I started checking around and got a little pissed because of what I had read on the website about the kits so I called Marlin back and was told "yes this clutch is a step above stock". I took their word for it. Nope it is STOCK. I'm not trying to bring the guy down I just want to let everyone know ahead of time that a Marlin 5VZ/R150F clutch is OEM that's all. ErikB sent his back when he realized this.

I pull a trailer a lot and now wish I would have gone with a CF dually but will know for sure when Erik gets his installed in his T.

Victor

According to the Downey site a stock clutch is somewhere around 884 lbs while Marlin rates his HD at 1200 and his SHD at 1600. Downey's HD is 1450 but that seemed like overkill. I think you are right though - this HD clutch may be stock on your T. I'll take a good look at the old and new clutch and even snap some pics so that everyone can see if they are the same/different.

jroc

What engine /tranny set up do you have? A stock 4x4 T is the 1200# clutch.

OK I looked and you should have a 3VZ with the R150F so the clutch would be an up grade for you. It's just a misunderstanding of what set ups in what engine/tranny's is an up grade. I learned something though through all this.......that's worth a good bit!

Victor

I think you are right but I'll make sure for anyone else that is looking at this clutch. Also, Marlin said that the pedal will feel soft at first until it breaks in and this is normal. Was this your experience with this clutch? Also to what degree did you machine your flywheel? Just curious since at this point I'm just debating the two machining levels that Marlin and I talked about. I want a firm pedal but I think the lesser machining level with the upgraded clutch will give me that. Just trying to avoid a brutal pedal.

jroc

Three passes at .010 so .030 total. Mine was in bad shape. Didn't know anything about "step" surfacing at the time so I didn't have it done. I did add a .010 shim though and the clutch felt/feels the same as the original one.

BTW I just found that my clutch bracket is toast (a common T100 problem). I have to order bracket and backing plate Mon. Sucks!

Also when you take yours out look and see if there is a metal ring around the top of the pressure plate fingers. If not then you have a lower pressure pressure plate. The ASCO/Aisin code (if it's on there) should be CT-106. The one you will get is CT-107 with that ring I speak of.

Victor

A while back I was very interested in finding a T and recall the bracket. Check with your dealer - I believe there is a customer satisfaction program to replace the unit.

jroc

NOPE others in the past have tried and the HSC (Highway Saftey Comission) has determined that it's not a saftey concern so Toyota says "so sorry no recall". It's a problem with ALL 5 speed T100's but Toyota doesn't see it that way. I'll be out about $60 or so I think........

Victor

That so sucks. I'm surprised that Toyota hasn't done a customer satisfaction campaign like they did with the V06 head gasket program.

jroc

Oh they did a head gasket recall on the 5VZ to. This is just something they won't admit to........

Victor

I know the trick to fill the pilot bearing with grease and then pound in a bolt to loosen it. Anyone know what size bolt I should use?

Victor

Had a cool response to this question on the Marlin Crawler board. A guy suggested using an old socket extension and wrapping the end with electrical tape until it becomes a tight fit in the pilot bearing.