2001 clutch recommendation

[Doc Dave]

My 2001 CTD with the h.o. 6 speed is starting to have problems with the clutch slipping.
I am friendly with the CarQuest folks across the street from my business, and they looked on their computer, and showed me their best clutch (with kevlar material), THe price was a total of about $480 as a kit. THis was the same price the repair shops get, not what an individual usually gets.
DOes anyone have experience with clutches from CQ, NAPA, etc.?
My truck will be doing some towing in the next year or two.

[Charles Talbert]

Check it before you buy

Lots of new replacement clutch kits are Chinese made these days. Some of them really don't look bad, but I'd rather have US if possible. Advance Auto offers some of the very same brand stuff as NAPA at a much better price. Not familiar with Car Quest though.

[JimmieD]

I used a '00 bellhousing and flywheel on my 4BT swap, so needed the same generation clutch. Went to a CarQuest and they ordered me a LUK rebuilt ceramic button clutch. Looked okay, then I looked close. There were something like 8 ceramic friction buttons for clutch facing, but out of the 8 there were 6 that had most of the rivets improperly installed, way off center stamping and obvious to the naked eye. The center clutch plate sprung section was highly questionable. All the guys at that shop were just dumbfounded at the amazingly lousy 'quality' of this LUK rebuild, saying LUK has an excellent reputation. They do, but believe me, their assemblers and QC dept. can evidently have some bad days. This clutch plate had a QC stamp on it.

Interesting sidenote: LUK includes a flyer in the clutch box telling all about their "...New improved clutch hub.." and how it's so much better than the original stock unit. The next few lines then explain in detail that no part of the 'New improved clutch hub' is included under warranty in any way!!!

Again caveat emptor, let the buyer beware. LUK has a very good rep but look closely. I then chose a stock Sach's 12.25" clutch and it does fine with my 3.9L Cummins.