Clutch Recomendation.

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Barkoff

Junior Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2014
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Ram Year
1997 4X4 2500
Engine
Cummins
Good day.

I have a 1997 2500 4X4 with the 5.9m love this truck, and no CA smog test required.

I have a Lance camper on it which has to run about 3500 lbs. Taking off from a stop on any kind of incline, I get the shimmy, I think I need a stronger clutch. I plan to put a jeep behind the camper, so it will be a pretty heavy load. (30 year commercial driver, I know how to try different methods)

I have airbags on the back, 19" commercial tires, and the load blocks that engages the overloads at all times.

I see where they have a lot of 13" upgrades, the best I can tell I have a stock 12.25", it going to a 13" an easy upgrade?

What do you recommend, organic or ceramic, is there a make and modle that has the best reputation? Would like to stick around $1000 installed.

I see they make a ceramic 12.25 rated over 800 lb.ft, but I believe my Cummins is only putting out about 260HP with the Banks. Would I want an 850 lb.ft, or a 600 lb.ft, does it matter if you don't have the HP rating for the Clutch?

Opinion?
Thank you
 

DodgeTx

Senior Member
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Apr 29, 2015
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Location
SEGUIN
Ram Year
2001
Engine
5.9L Cummins, 5.2l v8
I wish I could help, may want to try the cummins forum on this site too.
 

dudeman2009

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Feb 9, 2016
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Location
Arizona
Ram Year
2001 1500 Sport with enough electrical modifications to make my brain hurt
Engine
Magnum 360
Either call Valair or South Bend. They'll get you the right clutch for exactly your needs. You won't be buying a clutch thats 4x what you need, or half what you need.

As for the actual towing part, you do have trailer and vehicle brakes right? that would be a lot to stop with just the truck, and would be asking for a jackknife in a panic. I don't mean to nag, but even the best of us forget.

As far as the brakes are concerned, forget organic pads, they'll fail under light braking, ceramics are quiet, but they still aren't as good as nice semi-metalics, not yet at least.
 

alanack6795

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Dec 12, 2016
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Ram Year
1994
Engine
5.9L6
Call the vendor, an ceramic clutch will be way to grabby and annoying.

I would stick to a single disc organic, a 13" clutch requires a bigger input shaft. The nv4500 is pretty weak and isn't very good for towing. They won't last towing heavy or above 450hp. Less if you're hard on it.

Keep the boost below 20psi in OD
 

dudeman2009

Senior Member
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Feb 9, 2016
Posts
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Location
Arizona
Ram Year
2001 1500 Sport with enough electrical modifications to make my brain hurt
Engine
Magnum 360
Alan is right on the clutch material, ceramic is nice and quiet, but really only for small vehicles, i'd stay away from organic as well, as they USED to wear down quickly, not sure if they still do, but the vendor will know more.
 
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