Topic: MarlinCrawler-BIG flywheel & clutch UPGRADE

[patch4r]

Hello everyone. 

Long time reader on this forum, first time posting. 

Originally a Fresno native.  Moved away in 1996.  Currently living in Southern Nevada. 

Long time lover and driver of Toyota.  First Toyota was a 1977 pickup. 

Current fun ride:   1985 4Runner SR5. All stock: 22re, w56a.


After owning a 1984 X-Cab 4cyl and 1992 X-Cab v6, I found the ‘85 in a field in North Ogden in 2003.   Replaced the rear brakes and have just been driving it ever since.

Living in Southern Nevada, the 4Runner is mainly being used as an overland vehicle. 

Currently running BFG AT’s 31x10.50 on the stock 15x6 wheels and stock 410 gears. 

Future plans include installing an Old Man EMU lift and running either a 31, 32, or 33” tire, 456 or 488 gears, arb air lockers, rock sliders, and either a single 4.7 or dual transfer cases but still want to retain the rear heater. 



Okay finally the question....Time to replace the clutch. 

My ‘85 currently has the w56(A) transmission with the stock clutch and flywheel.  I read once on this forum, but can’t seem to find a current link for a “big clutch upgrade” where the flywheel is upgraded from the 8-7/8” to the 9-5/16” and a larger clutch from a 92-95 can be used.  Is this a recommended upgrade?

Also given that this is an overland vehicle on 31”-33” tires, would the 1200lbs or 1600lbs clutch be recommended?  65% is off road driving, 35% paved roads.

Lastly would there be any advantage to installing a heavier flywheel given what I am doing with this truck?   Mainly overlanding. 

Thanks for all the hundreds of hours of reading and learning enjoyment. 


-Toby

[blackdiamond]

Welcome.

I think I have the 1200 lb clutch with 35s and 4.88 gears and it works great.

[blackdiamond]

I ran 32s on my 85 truck with the 4.10 gears and 33s pushed me to step up to 4.88s.

I think 4.56 would be great for 31s and 32s, but would go 4.88 with 33s.  Maybe you could do 4.56 with 33s if you did the 10.50 or even 9.50 width if they are still available to keep some of the weight down.

[Gnarly4X]

Hello everyone. 

...  Okay finally the question....Time to replace the clutch. 

Lastly would there be any advantage to installing a heavier flywheel given what I am doing with this truck?   Mainly overlanding. 

-Toby

I prefer the Toyota stock clutch and pressure plate.  Marlin’s product is excellent.  I have installed Luk, Beck Arnley, and my last clutch disc is an M-Pact:

http://www.mpactclutch.com/

I would NOT buy a 1600 lbs pressure plate and I would NOT buy a heavier or larger fly wheel.. just a waste of money.

But… I have only seriously 4-wheeled for about 20 years, and owned 4 Toyota 4x4 trucks.

That’s just my opinion – it may be worthless. 

Gnarls 

[Gnarly4X]

I ran 32s on my 85 truck with the 4.10 gears and 33s pushed me to step up to 4.88s.

I think 4.56 would be great for 31s and 32s, but would go 4.88 with 33s.  Maybe you could do 4.56 with 33s if you did the 10.50 or even 9.50 width if they are still available to keep some of the weight down.

I agree.  I am running 4:56s with my 31s and its as good as it gets or 3rd member gear-wise.  I ran 31s, 32s, and 33s with my stock 4:10s in my 85.  It was OK, but I could not use 5th gear sometimes.  With the MC Crawler t-case, wheeling it didn't matter.  4:88s with 33s or 35s is a good gear ratio.  If you plan to run 33s, I'd go right to 4:88s.

Gnarls.

[:)bestgen4runner]

I have also heard that the larger diameter flywheel and clutch kit can be used in our trucks.
I don't know the what fits what information you seek but can confirm that it has been done with success.
I believe that they use the 3.0l v6 clutch and flywheel but do your research and report back what you find.

[OVRAROK]

I'm running this in my 84 22r. Works great. Just need to buy correct flywheel https://www.marlincrawler.com/clutch/heavy-duty/clutch-hilux/1986-87-turbo-4cyl-1200-lb-clutch-kit

[:)bestgen4runner]

I'm running this in my 84 22r. Works great. Just need to buy correct flywheel https://www.marlincrawler.com/clutch/heavy-duty/clutch-hilux/1986-87-turbo-4cyl-1200-lb-clutch-kit

What trans are you running? Might make a difference

[OVRAROK]

What trans are you running? Might make a difference

I believe it's a "G" series....

[patch4r [OP]]

Thanks for all the responses. 

With my ‘85 4Runner, I am running the stock drivetrain with the 4cyl 22re engine and 5sp w56a transmission. 

I read an article years ago where the larger 9 5/16” flywheel from the 93-95 22re/w56e is used on a 1985 22re/w56a replacing the stock 8 7/8” flywheel which then allows the use of the larger 4cyl clutch from the 1993-1995 model years.   

Is this correct as well as a recommended clutch + flywheel upgrade?

Thanks for taking the time to read this post. 

-Toby

[patch4r [OP]]

Okay, so I found the original post.  It was from Dec 27 2013 by Bandit83 and titled “Best Highway Clutch Kit”

BigMike responded:

Clutch use for highway driving is few and far between so even a cheap-o kit like a LUK will do well. I'd personally go with the MC 1200-pound kit because it uses a high quality Japanese pressure plate and Japanese release bearing that are durable and will last a long time. The last thing I'd want to do is break down half way across a valley in the middle of a desert highway.

There is a lot to be said about getting what you pay for but one great thing in your favor is that highway use is not so harsh on the clutch. So pretty much any kit will serve you well. The price differences around the market would probably indicate "for how long" it will serve you well.

No matter what you do, please oh please resurface your flywheel before installing a new clutch kit, or replace the flywheel all-together.

Links:
1,200-pound kit: ...clutch/heavy-duty/heavy-duty-clutch-kit-1200-lb (link dead)
New resurfaced flywheel: ...clutch/flywheel/flywheel-i4-24-liter-8-78 (link dead)


Another thing you can consider since you are 1) in need of a new clutch kit and 2) will need to at the very least pay money for some shop to resurface your current flywheel, is Marlin's Turbo Clutch Upgrade Kit, which upgrades your setup to the larger 1986-1987 22R-TE Turbo-sized components. This is the same sized clutch components that Toyota V6s run and the weights are all about the same. This will take you from your current 8-7/8" flywheel and clutch diameter to a 9-5/16" flywheel and clutch diameter. It's a good upgrade in increased surface area for 1) higher torque rating without any increased pressures (more surface area at the same pressure level = higher load rating) and 2) it will last longer (more surface area = more material to wear out).

Marlin's kit is a one-of-a-kind and includes everything you need. Best of all it is a 100% direct swap-in replacement. The Turbo flywheel has the same ring gear diameter so it fits inside your L52 transmission without any issues and uses your same original 1983 starter (it's compatible with any 4cyl 1981-95 transmission and starter). Check out the Turbo Clutch and Flywheel Upgrade kit here. It is packaged as a "Combo kit" which means it is also priced a bit less than all the components sold individually so it is a great deal
...clutch/heavy-duty/turbo-clutch-upgrade-combo-kit (link dead)


Regards,
BigMike


———

This goes back to my original question:

Is this still a recommended clutch / flywheel upgrade?

If so, are these the recommended parts for a 1985 4Runner SR5 22re 4cyl + w56a 5sp?

Clutch:
1986-87 Turbo 4cyl 1,200-lb Clutch Kit
SKU: MCCL-124
Price: $239
-or-
1993-95 4cyl 1,200-lb Clutch Kit
SKU: MCCL-126
Price: $239
-with-
Flywheel:
Flywheel, I4 2.4-liter (9-5/16)
SKU: MCCL-212A
Price: $99


Miscellaneous Parts:
Heavy Duty Pressure Plate Bolt Kit
SKU: MCHT-411
Price: 7.99

Clutch Slave Cylinder for 1981-1995
SKU: MCCL-622
Price: 39.99

Clutch Master Cylinder, 1989-95 Pickup/4Runner
SKU: MCCL-612
Price: $69.99

Steel Braided Clutch Line Kit
SKU: 1984-95 Hilux 4Runner (MCCL-631)
Price: $35

Fluid Bleeder Rubber Cap
SKU: MCBR-116
Price: $2.41

Clutch Fork Boot for 1981-1995 applications
SKU: MCTM-5112
Price: $20.80

Clutch Release Collar - 4cyl 1984-1989 4Runner - 2-piece release bearing design
SKU: MCCL-531
Price: $28.90


Thanks in advance for everyone’s input


-Toby

[Gnarly4X]

This goes back to my original question:

Is this still a recommended clutch / flywheel upgrade?

In over 20 years of wheeling, I have only seen one time a clutch failure in a Toyota truck.  It was a high mileage Gen 1 and in the sand dunes… the harshest terrain and most mechanically demanding 4-wheeling I’ve ever put my truck through.

I have never had a premature clutch or pressure plate failure, in ANY manual transmission vehicle I’ve owned.  The only “upgraded” clutch kit (L88) I’ve purchased was for my 1967, for my highly modified, 327cu Corvette.

MC offers top quality products and you could not go wrong purchasing those parts.

Because I’m in frugal mode, my tight budget would NOT allow me to spend the money on that list of parts for a clutch plus job.

The only recommendation I have is if you purchase a higher psi than factory stock pressure plate, buy an extra clutch slave cylinder as a back up part to be carried in your vehicle with a small bottle of brake fluid.

Gnarls.