I'm trying to decide what kind of clutch I should buy for my 95 Runner. Most of my driving is highway driving but I do some occasional 4 wheeling. Also, any idea on a price for installation on a clutch for a 4Runner? Thanks

-Scott

 

Go with toyota OEM clutch. Make sure you also replace pilot and throwout bearings and have the flywheel resurfaced. A thin layer of white litheum grease on fork pivot and throwout bearing housing will prevent 'creaking'. It's a DIY if you have any wrencing experience. Contact Thor here for a parts price to your door. Why go with any after market clutch when originals can last 180K+?
Good luck and happy wrenching
Nathan

 

Thanks Nathan. Arent the OEM parts gonna cost me a lot more than aftermarket though? But youre right, if it could last me that long, you cant go wrong.

 

I second the OEM clutch. For all parts and labor installed, the complete clutch replacement ran me right around $700 at the dealer.

 

I just called the dealership here in town and he said Im looking at 600 bucks in just labor! thats outrageous. And another 300-325 for parts. Should I call another place or is this a decent price for the job?

 

See my post above.

 

my shop is quoting me $700 total parts and laber with an OEM clutch and resurfacing the flywheel. I'm just waiting for mine to start slipping before i replace it. I know i should probably get it done now, but i kinda want to see just how far i can go on one clutch. right now i'm at 228k miles.

 

That's amazing! I take it you do a lot of highway driving?

I talked to a woman who had 268K on her original clutch (96 4Runner)

 

That is crazy. But now I've been told that its not my clutch that's the problem it's the bearings in my transmission. That explains the quiet squeeking noise that I heard when my clutch was not pressed in. This could get expensive!

 

I replaced mine with OEM equipment, but I had it done at an independent shop. cost around $450. I third the idea of the OEM clutch.

 

going OEM is a smart choice....

the problem with some of those HD clutches and racing clutches is that they dont slip at all, this may sound good, but if you rev your engine and drop the clutch.... if your clutch doesn't slip something else has got to give.....

my buddy broke two trannys this way until he figured out it was because the clutch he had in it....

he also drove them hard..... but I would go OEM... if you treat it well it will last a long time.

 

So this isnt something that i should attempt to do myself right? I know i definetely need one sometime soon. On the highway today i was driving around 70-80mph for about 200 miles and by the end of my trip home I would be in 5th gear and if I would mash the gas a little more than what it was then the engine would rev too much or slip. It started to become pretty bad, I dont know if this had anything to do with it being hot or not because if im just driving short trips i seem to be fine. It also underwent a day of offroading.

 

It really depends on your mechanical aptitude. For me, it just isn't worth the hassle anymore. I have done a few clutches in the garage without a lift in my time, and each and every time I am done I say, "well, I'll never do that again!"

 

I changed my clutch on my own and that was the first big mechanical experience I had. It is very rewarding doing stuff like that yourself, but there will most likely be times where things don't go smoothly like they should. The Haynes and Chilton manuals have good writeups on clutch replacing, but if you plan on doing more work yourself, the Toyota factory service manual is worth its weight in gold.

 

About how long did it take you? I know it will vary person to person but just to get an idea of what i may be getting into. My friends dad is a BMW master mechanic and he might be able to lend a hand at some points. Also since im a little deprived of mucho dinero right now what do you think about this clutch kit off ebay. It probably isnt the greatest i know but i'm kind of on a budget. But if i have get the OEM clutch then i will.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=2466519456

 

I would never skimp on a clutch kit. Give Todd (TOR) here on the boards a call and see what he can do for you.

Back when I had less experience I did a Mazda Truck clutch in 2 full days on my own. You will need to pull the flywheel and have it resurfaced. That's about $35.

I did my old Honda Civic in 12 hours.

Again, no lift and limited tools at the time. It is a great learning experience, but you should never plan for it to go smoothly. There is always something that comes up.

For someone with no experience and very limited tools, and the FSM, I would safely say 3 full days. And that would be with a mentor available. If you have that kind of time, then go for it!

 

alright, and I can just take the flywheel to a toyota dealership to get it resurfaced for $35.

 

I went with the TRD heavy-duty clutch and heavier flywheel on my '95 and it made it much better in stop 'n go traffic. The dealer did mine. You should also replace the rear main seal and the tranny front seal.

 

I'm afraid to know how much the TRD clutch kit cost you, but im curious so how much did it run?

 

I think it was about $300 from my dealer. I had quotes for less online, but went with Las Cruces Toyota, because they always treat me well. They gave me a rental car on that job.