Looking for a recommedation for a stronger clutch.

[Rik]

I replaced the clutch back in 2019 but it is beginning to slip so I need to replaced it again. The vehicle is a 1984 Dodge Ram 50 with a 4D56-T and four wheel drive. When I replaced the clutch before I just ordered a basic clutch from Amazon. If someone could suggest a good clutch I would appreciate it. I also see those clutches with the copper looking pads. Are those any better than the regular lining material? Some of those have a solid hub instead of a spring loaded hub. I am thinking that those might be more likely to shudder. Anyway any suggestions would be appreciated. Then I will have some transmission questions. Mine is starting to whine a bit.
Thanks, Rick.

[FMS88]

Look into the Centerforce II clutch. It's pricey, but much better quality than supposedly OEM type clutches. My gas 2.6 could overpower the three year old Luk clutch I had before the Centerforce.

[SubGothius]

I'd reckon a clutch spec'd for a turbo Starquest might be more robust and/or have more aftermarket performance options available? That engine's a 2.6 variant, so not sure if it would fit a 4D56T.

As for solid-hub variants, reckon those would have a more abrupt engagement without the springs softening that, which may also be less gentle to the transmission. Not sure about shudder, but I think that's more an issue with uneven wear, broken hub springs, or oil/grease/etc. contamination of the freewheel or friction pads.

[Rik]

Thanks for the replies. I will check out the Centerforce II. I have been looking at clutch videos this afternoon and I see that there are stage 1, stage 2 stage 3 etc. with each having a higher torque rating. One seller even had one before the stage 1. That's probably the one I put in. I am looking at the ceramic six pad disc with spring hub and rated stage 3. I am still learning and appreciate any comments. I do not drive hard but I do pull trailers that can get fairly heavy. Firewood cutting on mountain roads can end up with a pretty heavy load. Most of the time most of the uphill is empty but sometimes we go down the other side a ways and come uphill loaded. Last time I had to to put it in low transfer to get started uphill because the clutch was slipping.

[Rik]

http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=27693&stc=1http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=27695&stc=1http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=27694&stc=1Can any body tell me if one of these transfer cases is better than the other?. The transmissions are a bit different so I don't know if the transfer cases are interchangeable anyway. The first two pictures are the transmissions with transfer case attached came out of my 84 Ram 50. The third picture is a transfer case from an 83 Ram 50. The one has a bigger shift lever cover. Thanks, Rik

[Rik]

http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=27707&stc=1http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=27708&stc=1 Any tip on getting these screws out. I really don't know how to use a forum so if I just want to ask a question where can I do it? Chat room maybe?

[SubGothius]

Torx sockets are available for use with a typical ratchet wrench handle, prolly what you'll need for those.

[Rik]

Thank you. I only had a 1/4 inch drive torx drive. I bought a 3/8 drive and clamped the housing down on the table and used a 1/2 drive ratchet and they came out nicely. And no Lock Tight. I was wondering if someone here on this site is familiar with the tear down and assembly of these transmissions? I have a different transmission than the one that came out of my truck and it looks like a later model or at least it is a bit more heavy duty. Trouble is it has a totally destroyed front input shaft gear. I think maybe somebody put to thick a front bearing. It did not have the locator snap ring on it and maybe it crammed against the output shaft and heated it up red hot and destroyed it. But I like the heavier duty reverse gear on the back. I was wondering it it could be fitted to my earlier transmission. I have some other questions about the bearing in the different transmissions and the availability of parts. Is there a parts list out there somewhere that's available. Anyway it there is someone out there that is familiar with the tear down of these transmissions I would like to communicate with them. Thanks Rik