I've owned this truck since new. 1997 Ram1500,4x4, 5.2litre,5spd,4:10 rears.Truck now has 145,000 miles.Was wondering what kind of service life others are getting? No other half tons around here that I know of with a manual.So I thought I'd go global with the question. Great site by the way.Truck plows snow and tows a 7x14 two axle race trailer. Clutch still hooks up good and there is no slipping or smell of slippage. Any insight would be appreciated,and any recomended replacement brand also.Thank You

 

Usually you will have some problems or run out of adjustment. It does sound like you have gotten a lot of service from your truck's clutch though.

 

My 5Spds clutch went at 126,000 but... I ran the CRAP outta that, and so did my uncle, powersliding, powerbraking, haulin stuff that was too heavy, and runnin 32s and always starting in 2nd gear. Id say you prolly have a lil bit of life left. And when it goes, 200 bucks for a new one, and its SUPER easy to replace. Btw, nice to see another guy with a manual!

 

Unless it's slipping, don't worry about it. 145K is getting up there though..

 

I own a 1996 Diesel 2500 2WD, 264,500 miles. I am still on my original clutch. It still feels strong. I worry it may leave me one day.

 

my buddys went out on his 97 3500 bout that many miles on it

 

itall depends, the stock clutches are pretty good clutches. and like an above posst said, they are easy to change, just have a few jacks andjack stands and your golden.

You'll know when t starts going, and when it starts, replac it before it goes.

I ran a clutch till it blew, and it actually made the flywheel separate and blow through the bottom of the bell-housing.. Blew the starter to pieces, so yea avoid a bigger porblem by fixing it at first sign of slippage/smelling it.

 

WOW! Never heard of that happening, that had to be mildly surprising while you were drivin. What was that in? 3 Days after mine started slippin I replaced it just cause I wanted it done right then lol. It was like driving a completely different truck tho with that new clutch, my replacement one bites considerably harder than the old one did.

 

They usually don't go all at once! There will be a period where it starts to slip while going into gear (usually just starts with going into first) and eventually will get worse to where it will slip while in a low gear under heavy torque, and then get worse from there. But it will usually still be driveable at a point where you know its on its way out!

 

It was on a 96 Nissan Maxima, the radiator support has a tranny mount mounted to it, and my radiator support is rusted out. so there was a small amount of flex when i shifted. The clutch was slipping, and i was having problems getting it home so i beat the **** out of it, slammed it into first, second, then when i went for third POW, could hear stuff falling on the ground, lots of chatter....

the car has 284K all original lol. but i puta new tranny, exeddy stage 1 clutch, fidanza flywheel, and new starter, so shes running again but still have the radiator support rotted out.


(Theres are my vehicles.)

96 Nissan Maxima (auto)
96 Nissan Maxima (5speed)
93 Nissan D21 4x4 (5 speed)
and the godly truck, my ram