South Bend Clutch

[doudea]

I have a 2011 Ram 2500 6.7 with the G56 manual. H&S running on the mild tune, with the lungs free.

Have been pulling my 5th wheel toy hauler, and the stock dual mass junker clutch is starting to slip.

So I'm thinking about putting in a South Bend single disc 475 hp 1000 ft lbs clutch kit.

Anyone have experience with these?

How is the drivability of it (I'm worried it might too grabby for the wife's liking)

How is the petal as far as stiffness?

Durability?

Should I consider the dual disc?

 

[boondocker97]

One of my friends has a 2006 and a 2012 both with manuals, tuned, exhaust, etc. He has a single South Bend in the 06 and doesn't have any issues with it. He opted for the dual disk in his 12 and wishes he would have stayed with the single. The dual disk also makes some noises at low RPMs that make you think the the thing is going to come apart so that might freak the wife out. He pulls a gooseneck flatbed loaded with cattle panels during the week and a gooseneck 28' trails west trailer during the weekend so he uses his trucks.

 

[AZ800]

So you're looking at an OFE clutch. It's a fine clutch. Got about 80k miles out of mine on a 07 5.9 running a 200hp? tune. Truck was 80% grocery getter, wifes truck, maybe 15% light towing (boat, sno machine trailer, under 10klbs) and 5% towing heavy or hauling a big truck camper with a trailer in tow.
Seems like low miles, but it just wore out. Most of the miles were wife miles, no downshifting, but she'd ride the clutch a bit.
Current clutch, Southbend took care of me pretty good on. Even well out of warranty, gave me a good discount on the replacement. My advice, spend the $ on a Southbend. Their service is second to none. Wont tell me the specifics, but it's not listed on their website and it's a full ceramic single disk with an old school 3 finger, roller pressure plate.

The OFE, with upgraded hydraulics, had about double the pedal pressure of the DMF original clutch. Much grabbier, not smooth by any means, but could still back a trailer up hill and feather the clutch somewhat. Much more gear rollover noise than the OE clutch.

The new clutch is stiffer yet and very grabby. It's on or off, period. SOuthbend told me I wouldn't be calling them for another clutch for a long time. If you want a heavy single disk this is it. However it is LOUD. Rattles enough that it sounds like a 2nd Gen sitting in neutral and the gear rollover noise is bad below about 1800rpms if you get into it.

I've driven a NV5600 Dodge with a 3250 DD clutch and honestly it was less pedal pressure and quieter then the current clutch. I'd recommend a DD clutch.

 

[AZ800]

FWIW, living in the country like you do, my wife was good with the grabby stiff pedal aftermarket clutch. City driving, stop n go traffic, she hated it and after using the truck to commute in Seattle traffic last month for the first time, I agree.
To the point that we bought a car for her to commute after 20 years of driving nothing but trucks.
If you have power pedals, that will help. My wife is 5'-3 and in order to be comfortable with the heavy clutch, she has the seat all the way forward, too far in fact. No power pedals on her truck.

 

[doudea]

Thanks for the feed back guys!

I just ordered a South Bend DD and will report back after I get it installed.

They suggested that I go with the DD for less pedal effort, and that it would last better under the increased power. So we will see.

Probably wont get the clutch till mid-week next week. So it will be the following week before I get it put in.

Thanks Guys!