I need to replace the clutch in my 2000 4Runner 3.4L (130k on the original).

I'd like to stick with OEM, but it seems like most dealers are selling remanufactured parts? Just looking through archives here, seems like that has been the norm since ~2004 or so?

What is the common thought around reman'd parts?

... or should I be looking for new, there are some ebay sellers out there offering new OEM ASCO/AISIN parts:

Ebay 1

Ebay 2

many thanks...
-batsoff

 

Have you looked on Marlincrawler.com?

I got my clutch through him and it was only $20 more then a napa kit.

 

I did look at the Marlin HD clutch, it's also an option. His products seem to have a good reputation.

May be overkill for me... I'd need the "mall crawler" version.

How does the 1200 HD clutch compare to stock? Same feel?

-batsoff

 

I have the 1800lb from mariln and it feels like a normal clutch, I have been very happy with it. It also took marlin 2 days to ship my parts. I have read that it takes some people longer to get their parts due to out of stock inventory, so I would ask if it is in stock before ordering.

 

I just did the clutch for the 2nd time on mine. 155k on the OEM one, 30k on the 2nd one. When taking the 2nd one apart, we found a bad pilot bearing, which was making noise like a throwout bearing was bad. The 2nd clutch was from Trail Gear.

I was going to replace it with all Toyota parts, but after talking to several techs at work (I work for Lexus/Toyota), I bought the Marlin clutch instead. I was told that the Toyota reman clutch disc has really cheap rivets which have come apart. The Marlin kit was shipped to me in just a couple of days.

After a week of driving the Marlin clutch, I like the feel. Even though it's the heavy duty one, it doesn't feel much different than the standard clutch.

Oh...be sure you do the rear main seal while the trans is out.

 

The stock is about 900 as I understand it.....I think you would be happy with the HD 1200, my buddy replaced his Taco one with that kit and was very happy.
AFAIK the Marlin kit uses the stock Aisin clutch disc and I've got over 200,000 miles on mine.

 

Thanks for the feedback fellas... I'm gonna stay away from the reman'd clutches.

My only concern regarding the Marlin HD set up is feel... I live in the DC area and traffic here can be brutal at times, good to hear that the Marlin has a "stock" feel to it.


-batsoff

 

Stock clutch takes practically no effort to push the clutch pedal in (standard OEM clutch).

HD clutch takes more significant effort to push the clutch pedal in (ceramin clutch, HD) and gets old very quick in stop and go traffic. For rockcrawling it would be fine, but personally I do not like it in a daily driver.

I have one of each installed currently and both perform flawlessly but the ceramic one is a bit much for someone like me who has a bad knee from HS football. I will be replacing it soon.