Toyota engineers were not designing with oversize tires and dual ultimate gearing in mind.
Everyone has different experiences.
I agree that it makes sense to modify and change hardware to enhance strength, drivability, and safety.
HOWEVER….it’s well-known that the early Toyota pickup and 4Runners are considered - by most automotive enthusiasts – that Toyota’s engineering and design is “over-built” for longevity.
I 4-wheeled a basically stock 1985 Standard Cab, 22R, 5-speed for 10 years on the most difficult trails and terrain in California, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Sonora Mexico.
Many times I started and finished the trail in front of, or behind, vehicles that were modified and tricked out with 10’s of thousands of dollars. My $5,000 Toyota truck with 33” tires did the same trail as the $50,000 blinged-out-terrain-thrasher with 40” tires with that heavy-duty-rooty-tooty-super-clamping-no-slip clutch!
I had one (1) drive train failure in that truck on Pritchett Canyon and it was my careless move that broke the factory stock J-arm. Was I lucky? Was I just a very good driver? Or… was it that the Toyota engineers designed and built it right?
As I said, in 20+ years of serious and active 4-wheeling, I don’t recall an issue with clutch discs prematurely failing due to lack of friction and insufficient pressure plate clamping… on any 4x4 vehicle. I have never experienced a premature clutch disc failure on my stock or stock replacement clutch, pressure plate, and flywheels.
Gnarls …. My 4 cents worth.
