I will try here I have had no luck in the 12v drivetrain with this question?? , I am looking into a new clutch a Southbend Mu-13-1.25 con ofe in particular. I am wanting to know if any one here has one and pulls some heavy loads and how it reacts to backing up slowly?? Thanks Rick

 

I have had the FE in a 98, 01 and 04 truck. backing up is fine.
You may have to increase your rpm slightly but I have only had a bit of a chattery grab once.

If you have 4x4 I read where some folks put it in 4x4 when backing straight. I've never had to do this.

Scotty

 

I've got an OFE... with 3.54's it can't be annoying trying to guide a trailer backwards in a tight spot, but nothing a little more engine RPM won't cure...

 

Thanks Scott and Forrest, I thought I had heard it was a bad clutch for backing,I am probably mistaken just making sure. The truck is around 400 hp maybe a bit more and the stock clutch is going quickly, I do not abuse the truck,only use it to tow the fifth wheel and a tractor from time to time, around 10k lbs,not a daily driver. And have been looking at the southbend and the Luk progold and am in the middle of deciding which one?,, as the southbend is a lot more of a package than just the luk progold? Any opinions on the two? Thanks again Rick

 

go southbend all the way... the pro-gold will hold the power, but it'll eat up the flywheel!! and if you EVER have any problems w/ that SBC, Peter will take care of you 100%

 

I have the SB con ofe , I also have the 2wd low range kit from Bob Verhoff, I just put it in 4wd low range and block the front hubs from locking in, works great.

Cheers, Kevin

 

Consensus is that Southbend has the better clutch for what I need, and I do know that thier reputation on customer service is bar none. Thanks I am going with the SB,just checking on the backing thing and it sounds as if will act no different than the stock when having to go slow. Thanks all.... Rick

 

it'll be a little different than stock, but not enough to prevent you from buying it... my little OFE holds a lot of fuel, and it's still just the little stock diameter job! blew the springs out of one, and Peter sent me another w/ some revised springs. going w/ a 13.25 FE pretty soon before I trash this one.

Forrest

 

If you try to back the truck up like it had a stock clutch, the OFE will be a little chattery - at least mine is. If I bring the RPMs up to 900-1000 before I engage the clutch, it's fine. The OFE doesn't mind being slipped, by the way, if you have to do so for close maneuvering.

See signature for what I'm maneuvering.

Rusty

 

That is a long one, my fifth is only 30ft, but the 40ft goose trailer is the one I have to go slow with some time, Hey forrest I would gues our trucks are at the same level and Southbend directed me straight to the 13. 1.25 con ofe, He stated that is what would it would take as I am guessing 400/450 and when I do injectors and slide the #10 up further he said for sure the 13. 1.25 con ofe. Thanks for all the help making up my mind which is not much of a mind to own, Ha Goodluck,,,Rick

 

man, it never hurts to go one step higher than you think you'll need... I'm sure the OFE will hold what you're planning, but what if you plan a little more in the future?

Forrest

 

That is the bad mojo about these trucks saying we are going to stop at a certain point, I started out with a 94 auto and took it past were it should be for a stock auto and then backed it down, and ran across this 97 with 60k low miles and wanted a ext cab 5 speed and it was a stock 215 and said to the wife I am not going to do this one like the 94, SOOO sold the 94 made a little on it and bang I went and did this 97 even hotter knowing I would have to do the clutch and after the clutch I am {{Hoping}} that will satisfy my needs,as I think I am going backwards in my age as I recently purchased a dual sport Honda XR650L and have already hurt myself on it Ha. It has been 15yrs since I raced off road and thought I had it out of my system, the going fast thing. But I guess we guys never learn . Goodluck,,Rick

 

if you tow fairly often, you'll probably like the OFE better. the FE can be a little more grabby. but as stated above, you can't really hurt it by slipping it.

Forrest

 

I ussually just stick the truck in 4 low when backing up works really well let the clutch totally out. even with the hubs locked it really doesnt give you any issues. And odds of breaking a front axle are slim. I did it with mine with loads up to 30k lbs never an issue for 337k miles.

 

what is the problem with backing in 4 lo anyway????