New Clutch Install Pricing...

[Doc]

The lowest bid for replacing the clutch in my 87 cruiser in the entire town I live in was $ 336, LABOR ONLY!!

The shop I usually go to wanted $798 for parts and labor!

What the hell!

Is replacing the clutch such a major job?

On a banana scale 1 being an oil change, how many banana's is the clutch job? I've never replaced a clutch myself, but those labor charges make me want to learn!

I'd still have to take them the flywheel for turning, but can I manage the rest?

 

[Mike S]

Gotta go under there and remove the drive lines and tranny and split case, pull out the clutch, replace clutch, adjust, remount tranny and split case, hook up drive lines, check everything...

You probably want ALL new clutch comonents for the job. Buy OEM stuff.

$336 sounds reasonable to me.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Try it yourself, and you'll find out why it costs so much. It it lots of work taking out the tranny and transfer, messing with the linkages and adjusting the new clutch. What you are being quoted sounds more than reasonable. I would replace the master, slave, pilot bearing, and throw out bearing, main seal, and the front tranny seal now too. Probably surface the flywheel as well. One other thing-if you go with the "low bid" expect a low bid job where they leave out the secondary things above. Then later, you'll wish you had paid more for a better and more complete job. I agree with Mike's reccomendation to use Toyota OEM parts only. Contact CDan for the correct parts and needed peripherals. Cruiser stuff is not cheap so don't be a cheap skate or you'll end up with a Cruiser you'll hate. OEM clutches on FJ60's can go beyond 150k so why mess with anything else. On the banana scale, I'd say 3.5

 

[Doc]

Yes, plans and communication with the dan-ster are under way. I did plan on replacing those bearings and the rear main seal too.

The $336 price included turning the flywheel. I planned on buying all the 'parts' and bringing them to the tranny shop doing the work.

The only clutch I've ever paid to replace was on an old 82 toyota 2wd pickup. It was a LOT less. Which is why I was shocked to hear that quote! The guy that gave me the $798 quote said it was the highest the shop had ever quoted on any vehicle. But $350 of that was parts for the clutch.

Well, thanks guys for making me feel a LITTLE better, not much- but a little. I don't think I trust myself to be removing drivelines yet.

 

[Doc]

Oh, and this is the factory clutch I'm replacing, at 125k original miles. PO must have beaten on the clutch or something.

 

[Landpimp]

thats about right for price. I paid $300 last summer(I provided all parts) but that also included, rear main, oil pan re-seal and the clutch job. I used all OEM parts, think it ran abut $250 for all the stuff. Ihave done clutch jobs myself........but my back just doesn't need the agrivation anymore..........so I had it done(did a 60 and 40 last summer)

 

[brian]

i just replaced the clutch in my 87/60@200+K.
it was an OEM clutch.

i have no reason to think that this truck would have received a factory replacement clutch, compared to "just any" clutch. as it was a fleet vehicle, and recieved it's maintance at the same place the dump trucks did (the same place that thought you could weld leaf springs back togther ).

that trans&transfer is one heavy and combersome mother to handle, both out and in.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

My buddy got 220k out of his original cultch on his '85 FJ60. Just replaced it with OEM. Like I said, I don't see a reason to use anything else.

 

[lagwagon]

I have done several 60 clutches. I recall booktime near 10 hrs. I always like using Toy parts but have used a NAPA clutch with success. Always replace the trans nosecone gasket and seal on the tranny and definitely use a Toy rear main seal.

 

[Chuck_FJ60]

I had my clutch replaced on an '86 FJ60 two months ago. I provided all the parts - clutch, PP, TO Bearings, seals, RMS, etc., including flywheel turning for a total of $ 490 labor. So your price of $ 300 something is very good. My mechanic's techs were still complaining about how heavy a job it was when I was leaving the shop

 

[dd113]

Thats not bad at all. Really consider rebuilding the TC while you are in there.

 

[wildman4wheeler]

i am at 198000 and it is now time... badly