Replace clutch?

I have a T90a on the stock 57 cj5. I've got the tub off to check the frame and make sure everything is on the up and up. Should I replace the clutch just because I can? I think the 100 is nominal compared to putting everything back together only to have to tear it apart again.

I'm new to the game and am trying to be as practical as possible. Is this practical or crazy?

 

Well, there are always "might as wells" that you have to decide about.

If I were splitting the trans and bell, I would replace the clutch... unless I knew the history of the current clutch. But I probably would not unless I were, say, replacing the blocking rings in the T-90 and rebuilding the transfer case. Have you driven the Jeep much? Without some notion of the overall condition, it's kinda hard to judge what you should replace.

To me, It's not that hard to remove the transfer case and transmission in a Jeep, esp. with a smallish transmission like the T-90. A transfer case rebuild is really, really common for these Jeeps, and I would evaluate the trans and TC condition by driving and listening before I started in on that. If the trans needs to come out, refreshing the clutch isn't that much more work.

 

You're saying it's not hard to do with the tub on again?

I've driven the jeep around the farm since I was 13. This is actually what I learned to drive in!

I FEEL like everything was smooth last time I drove it this year. Easy to mash the clutch and the gears went in and out easily.

 

I have R&R'd a Jeep transmission in my driveway with the factory scissors jack and muscle. It's not hard if you are a typical young man with some mechanical know-how. I didn't even elevate the Jeep.

 

I agree that it's a decision only you can make. Is it the original clutch? How will you be driving it in the future? Many things to consider. These are the things that happen when you get the tub off. You start thinking "Should I do this? Should I do that?" How much time and money do you want to spend right now?

And, again, like Tim says, there is nothing on these things that is really that hard to get to. The factory provided a huge hole in the floor, above the transmission and fenders that come off in minutes, almost.

 

That's good to know!

I try to do my research first and then dive in. I've got plenty of time and patience to get the job done properly. It's always that third thing that's tough!

 

Wheelie - it's original as far as I know. I'm going to cruise it around town, not an off road trail rig or anything like that.

My first goal since the engine is strong was to get to the frame and make sure it was solid enough to continue and I got that so, now it's growing into a project haha

 

Could go either way on this. Comments above are solid. (I've done the trans and transfer using just my belly as a jack. Don't try this at home.)

Clutches are relatively cheap. But my dad always told me to leave well enough alone when working on old vehicles. Quite possible that new unproven parts could introduce a failure mode.

 

You have a simple choice.... replace it now when it is easy to do, or replace it later when it is going to be several orders of magnitude more difficult. I've done clutches whilst under the vehicle and when I think of how easy it is to do without a body tub mounted there isn't any question in my mind what I'd do.

Just getting the bolts (on and off) of the top two 'engine-to bell housing' connections with the body tub & floor installed was enough to make a believer out of me.

ps -- you might find it is easier to pull the engine than the transmission to get to the clutch. I know this is a widely debated topic, but on the old jeeps I pull the engine and leave the trans alone.

But I quit the old jeep hobby jeeps last summer, so things might have changed since then....