How long has your 5-speed clutch lasted for? I ask this as I bought my 98 4runner from the original owner at 168k two years ago. I asked if the clutch had ever been replaced and he said no. The rig had never really been put into 4x4 either unless there was snow (maybe 1-2 times a year) and I guess his wife was pretty good at driving the 5speed. Now my 4runner has 194k and the clutch still seems to be strong. I became a little worried a few weekends ago when I smelled something while rig was descending and engine under load (back window was down though). Today I just tested the clutch flooring the rig on the on ramp and seeing if the RPMs would ping. RPMs all the way up to 5000 (2nd and 3rd) and smooth RPM climb and speed increase so I guess I'm in the clear? Don't really know of other ways to test the clutch.

In about a week I will be driving 8 hrs to get into the SW Colorado for some offroading. Three days of it so just don't want my clutch going out while up there.

I've got 225k so far on the original clutch and it feels and grabs just fine still.

If you tow heavy load as little as 70k-100k
If you don't tow and have good driving habits over 200k
When to change clutch is when the first stages of slippage occurs.

Mine was changed around 160-165k. I wouldn't change it unless your truck has given you reason to doubt the clutch (slipping). If you abuse your clutch it will make a smell (smells a little like burning brakes), but that doesn't mean your clutch is done for... just means you may have shortened the life a little. Sometimes the situation requires you abuse the clutch a little (climbing a ledge, for instance).

Both my FJ60 and my mini truck saw a lot of abuse off road and both had original clutches well past 200k. I'm not sure why the PO replaced the clutch on mine, but judging by the noises the transmission makes, I think he may have used the truck for towing.

Cool,

Thanks guys. Thinking I'm cleared for a major 4x4 weekend. white_n_slow, what kind of noise does your trans make that makes you think that?

The PO of my 97 replaced the clutch just before selling at 210k

It sounds like your clutch is good to go. My Runner supposedly has a new clutch in it but it feels really soft to me. I managed to warm up the clutch last time I was out wheeling, but I'm also turning 33" tires on stock gears. You should be fine on this trip. I think it would be worth your time to replace it in the near future. Use a decent clutch and she'll probably last for life of the truck.

No reason to worry, but testing a clutch under low load isn't the way to do it.

You actually cause more load by going to a taller gear and going WOT. This puts more strain on the clutch then the proper gear at WOT.

Mine has 260KM and still seems to work fine. I know the day is coming, but sounds like it may be a long time yet!

I'm a new owner too, and my 2000 has 120k and the clutch was 'stiff', it would grab hard and would easily kill the engine. I know, sounds like I don't know how to drive a stick, my first car was a stick, no prob here.

I too am planning a long term trip and wanted to make some routine repairs and upgrades. The guy I bought from was original owner and kept meticulous records and never changed the clutch, but I don't think he was good to it.

Anyway, long of the short is, once I changed the clutch about a week ago, it felt REALLY soft, but now I can engage first w/o even using the gas. To me that's a first, but way different than a 'biting' 'stiff' engagement. I think it was burned up, and that's usually the worst, unless you've hit the rivets and are gouging the plate/flywheel, and you will hear that.

I would say you're GTG....

Also, I am extremely happy to hear that these clutches last so long! I would hate to have to do that too often...

Well, newer owner than you...

I have 201k miles on my 98 4Runner and am still on the original clutch. It seems fine to me, especially after my mechanic replaced a leaking hose. Pedal is now biting notably higher. It is not slipping, making noises or anything. Mechanic recommended replacing it saying it was "wearing" but I am leaning against doing so. I am the original owner and since I now have another vehicle, I only drive it 3k to 4k miles a year and I've been religious about regular service. The only thing that would press me to replace it is if it were to go out during winter. I count on it to get me through big (multi-feet) snow storms.

The only reason I replaced mine @ 143k was because the engine was out. My mechanic said he'd install it for free so I bought a Marlin HD clutch & flywheel. The old clutch still had some meat on it but better to do it then than pay him $900 2 years later down the road was my thinking. Now I'd do it myself if I had to.

'96's throwout bearing around 210,000, did clutch kit at the same time for obvious reasons.
Husband's '99 clutch at around 210,000 too.

225K (approx).........replaced with a Marlin Crawler HD 1200lb kit.

PO changed the clutch at 213K.
I plan to upgrade to a Marlin 1200lb when the clutch goes, or when I'm in there because of "other" repairs.