Tow Rig Issues. Finally fixed the HARDSHIFT PROBLEM. VALAIR DUAL DISK INSTALL 

I had a 1994 12valve nv4500 single cab that I installed a valair single disc in and it worked awesome!! Never had a problem with it!! I would tow with it, burnouts and race it while towing a trailer and it never failed!! 450hp/900ftlb single disc is what I installed. I did turn the stock flywheel so it started life on a fresh clean surface! Truck had 365,000 miles on it and wish I still had it!

It’s the little details that matter most! Watching the change in shifting is surprising, I never would have thought it! Thanks for sharing

That’s a good clutch also. Been loving my south bend for 11 years now little noisy but no slip on tuned 06 Cummins 💪🏻💪🏻👍

Thank you for taking the time to put this video together and sharing your experience. I upgraded my 06' 3500 G56 4X4 with the South Bend solid flywheel organic single disc. It's noisy, causes gear rollover, low gear is nearly impossible to get into when cold as well as 3rd. All things I thought I just had to accept with an aftermarket conversation clutch. But now I'm thinking maybe not.

Wish I woulda seem this about 3 months ago! Just put a southbend dual disk organic in my 09 and same issues! Can't afford to replace it now but will definitely remember this for the next replacement. Thank you love the videos and hell yeah brother!

I glad you posted this . My truck the 95 4x4, that had the Val air quiet dual disc , and the rebuilt g56 , the bm short shifter ect ect . I have the gear oil in it that was recommended, and one over the fill . It's fairly stiff to get into gear when and shift especially when it first started. Does not grind or things of that nature but I wish it was easier to shift .. so if I have the transmission out again I will de bur the clutch disc for sure .. one thing I noticed is when I bought this transmission used its the earlier model with overdrive that is not a tall as the later models is the out put shaft splines were worn exclusively. I seen them the same way on automatics also . I used anti seize copper base on both mating surfaces.. I sealed the mating surfaces between the tc and transmission with black silicone sealer . I also installed synthetic diesel engine oil in my transfer case.

Thanks for this video on my 02 I had the transmission rebuilt and still felt like the transmission was having issues and now with this video ill go with a different clutch.

Nice timing with this video, the aftermarket single disc clutch in our 08 Laramie dually just went out this afternoon 4 hours away from home towing 20k lbs worth of horses, living quarters trailer, gear and hay. We need to invest in a Valair clutch! Thanks for the video

Multiple disc clutches in the past have been called chatter discs just like in a semi. I have used cerami/metallics button multiple disc in all my light duties since the early 80s, yup them make noise and are not the friendliest shifting and the cerami/metallics are rough on the flywheel and steels. But even on synchronized I have always float shifted with good results (never wiped out a transmission) Guess driving a road ranger 13 or 18 in the big stuff most of the time it just wasn't a real big deal to me. But it is cool some of the new technology has eliminated some of those problems. I have been dressing splines for years even on the big stuff. Glad you are happier with you rig.

Awesome to hear! I just put the same clutch in my 07.5 after a buddy recommended it. Was a little concerned about how the DD would shift. Boy am I glad I went with it! Could hardly tell the difference from the factory clutch! Just the typical noise in neutral but it goes right away when I depress the clutch. I think a lot of people who daily or tow regular are going to be switching from SB. Awesome video!

You couldn't have done this video at a better time Sam! Turns out the factory junk in my 4th gen g56 has had enough hauling firewood, skidding logs, and draggin my camp trailer from hell to breakfast. I've decided I only want to cry once and do a clutch once so I had decided dual disk but not a brand until watching this...........with that figured out, now I just need to start dealing or somethin to afford it 🤣!

Got the same problem in my 06. Now you got me thinking of swapping.

A nice trick I use in my work Peterbilts, when climbing a hill is I turn on the engine fan. Slows the RPM’s down faster so you can drop in the next gear. Wish I had a way to manually control the engine fan in a pick up. Gotta love those GV hills.

Soo glad I watched this video! I have an '06 with the G56. Has 120k on the 100% original drivetrain. I think the clutch is on its way out. Been trying to decide what to replace with. Mine with the stock clutch shifts fantastic. And I didn't want to sacrifice that with a sturdy clutch. This is good info!

I'm SOLD !! My truck jumps going in reverse and hard to get into the different gears with my South Bens Duel Friction . Thanks and Great Video

This is great to know. The auto in my 04 2500 went out and I manual swapped it to a 5600. Upgraded hydro and dual disc south bend cause I wanted a one and done upgrade. The shop I used recommended south bend. This was 2-3 years ago. Still shifts as crappy as it did on day one. It has a superstick rebuilt trans and I even had it sent back to be checked after the south bend was “found to be working properly “. You’re not alone wasting money due to this.

Awesome video buddy ! Your uncle did an perfect job 👌🏻 That’s the way how they should shift. Your old clutch was not looking bad..

Sam, back in the 70's, I fixed school buses for a living. We always chamfered the edges of the clutch disk splines a LOT, not just deburr them. Made them look more like points rather than flats on the end. It helped when putting the trans back in. Had a Southbend OE in my 04 Cummins. Shifting was never a problem, but I always had chatter when starting out easy, unless I burped the throttle to let the engine come back down to fully engage the clutch. If I hard launched, it was no problem, but who wants to start out that way every time.

i have used both; SouthBend is good for light use in high HP grocery getter. Valair works great in all the work trucks, dump trucks , and hauling trucks i have had. Valair just holds up better to the day in day out work life.

Everyone hates on stock parts but once you start modifying stuff you appreciate the engineering that goes into balancing NVH with performance and longevity. Everything is a trade off of some sort and if the only trade off you have to make is the upgrade costs more then stock consider yourself lucky!

I’ve had sb 3250gk in my 08 for somewhere around 50k and it exactly how you describe yours. I’ve been thinking about the org valair for my newer rig but now I’m tempted to throw one in both. Drove my buddies full ceramic valair dual disc yesterday and it’s amazing how much better it shifts

Just put this exact same clutch in my 06 5.9. HIGHLY recommend this clutch to anyone who’s truck is stock to moderately modified, especially if you tow heavy. Shifts as good as stock, holds power extremely well, very little noise (especially if you throw an extra quart in the trans for you G56 guys), just a little more bite in it starting out compared to stock.

Haven't faced this yet but I know people who have. Will be filing this away for future reference, and passing it along to my South Bend using friends.

I have a Valair stage 4 in my 2001 7.3 and it's an absolute dream!!!!!

Told ya buddy lol. I regretted my SB from day one. Dan is an absolute stand up businessman and American. Only clutches I’ll run from now on! Glad you’re happy with it and having good luck with it.

I have an 08 2500 6spd and shifts great. Really enjoy watching your videos

Thank you for posting this video! I had all the same problems with my 07 and hate this truck, I just installed the Valair quiet clutch and I cant believe the difference. I actually like it again so far, I have only put 20 miles on it but wow!

I had two south bend DD clutches go bad on me in less then two years. I had moved to the fort worth area so decided to try Valiar’s DD. I called up and got to talked to Dan the owner. I lived about 2 hrs away at the time and he offered to meet me half way to help me out. After I installed it I never had an issue with the clutch again. Regularly was towing 18-20,000 too. The guys at Valiar were awesome to deal with, definitely would go with them again if I get a truck with manual again

That man (Dan) knows how to earn the trust of his customers! Glad you got it fixed...it's those little annoying things that steals you joy. Like the gnats here in Georgia...always in your face.

Just got a south bend single disc today for a 2012 G56 Hope it works well as you said yours did lol thx for the video!

Glad that clutch works good for ya hoss 🤙

Always helpful information, thanks for sharing Sam👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸

Check the pivot on the arm that controls the throwout bearing. I had that fail on my first truck, Clutch exploded one day as the throwout bearing wasn't centered on the clutch, chewed the fingers off the clutch and busted the housing when it exploded.

Brother and I both had 18s with g56 we pull campers for a living. We both did south bend dual disk quiet version and we both had issue after issue. Had to go in multiple times for throw outs. Then come to find out they changed brands of the throw out and the litter lasted 5-15k miles. Put a mopar back in no issue. But also it didn’t shift for shit. I thought it was just part of having a dual disk. We both had a lot of down time back to the shop so many times. I’ll definitely try the valair with my 5.9

Sam you should have went with a pheonix friction kevlar clutch they grab like stock but its a heavy tow single disc clutch made for long life put one in my dads 06 and it holds the power towing 30k and way less then 1600$

Glad you spent the change and got the clutch. Such a sweet rig to not try perfect

Nice video, thanks for the business!

I’m glad I came across your vid. I’m considering the Valair and going back and forth on single verse dual. I’m curious any input from you or valair on break in and driving style, exhaust brake, down shifting, etc?

Good job Sam.

My Last clutch was actually an ebay clutch. It was $350 or so and included the 13" flywheel. It was considered to be their "Stage 2" clutch. Well honestly it was not bad. It shifted pretty well though it was slow getting into reverse. The ebay clutch held power without issue until I threw in the k27. I got silly with it and did a clutch dump and the clutch was never the same after that. It lasted about 40-50k miles before then without issue but after that one burnout that I ever did the clutch always slips at max fuel. My k27 12v is making approximately 400hp 1000tq and I can turn down the fuel in cab for towing (homemade needle valve controller). I tow 5-10k with it usually but sometimes up to 20k. It is a 96 3500 dually by the way. I just moved to a single "Dual friction" disk with Kevlar on one side and ceramic on the other. It is supposed to have more holding power and be a good middle ground between daily/towing and performance use rated for 500hp. After installing this clutch I noticed the transmission does shift smoother. It is more "grabby" than my last clutch but not by much. In fact I like it even more for daily driving than the organic. I towed 14k with it last week and it was great. I honestly couldn't find any drawbacks

Great video Sam and great information 🇺🇲 I really enjoyed this video 🇺🇲

My truck has a dual disc in it and it sucks. I don’t know what brand it is cause it was in my truck when I bought it. I swear in never engages in the same spot in the pedal stroke twice and half the time it gives the trucks the hiccups. And before somebody tells me it’s because I don’t how to drive stick I’m gonna tell you every vehicle I’ve ever owned for my personal daily driver use has been a stick shift. Thanks Sam I’m gonna have to look into one of these when I do my transmission and transfer case upgrade.

This verifies that we made the correct decision in going with a South Bend, 1,000# torque, single disc instead of the dual-disc. It has been flawless mated to the NV5600. Based on this review, if I ever really needed a dual-disc, Valair would probably be my go to clutch.

Honest question. What about a Gale Banks turbo ? Also are their monster ram intake system any good ? I really appreciate the time to explain things in your videos. God bless everyone in these chaotic times.

Should grab the duramax tuner stealth turbo. Stock form but is capable of managing the power you put out

Awesome video. I got a southbend dual disc in mine. My clutch goes in harder than a stock one. Mine shifts alot better than yours. The only problem with mine is initially getting it into first.

The South bend DD clutches are hit or miss, mine has been great I've never experienced any issues but several friends have. I'm happy with mine but when it's time to replace it i'll be going with a different brand. Don't want to have to pull the trans out more than necessary

So much for breaking in the clutch, huh? lol. Great content.

keep the great work

Sam’s left calf is missing all that extra clutch work.

South Bend DD clutch is the best had one in a nv5600 for 200,000 miles

Great video. I just bought an 08 3500 with a g56 I'll want to be putting a clutch in soon. I had a zf6 duramax with a competition valair dual disc and that clutch was terrible and noisey. But I'm assuming that's cuz it was a competition clutch. So what is the actual model of this new valair you run and what is the best g56 trans fluid you ran? Also do you overfill the trans?

I hate that mine is like that too. I've been floating ever since I did the clutch. So much smoother. 533k original miles on the trans. Never had an issue. I float up and down shifts daily towing but I'm nowhere near the weight you are. 26k miles. Nv5600 likes floating. I've heard horror stories of floating a g56

Damn looks like I’m looking at a new clutch then. I have a south end in my 5500 and just though the tough shifts were the trans going out 😕

My first gen has a dual disc and a getrag trans. It’s a pain to shift. The getrag is a fresh rebuild and I still have to double clutch 1,2, 3 and reverse

130k on my 475 hp South Bend Con ofe single disc. No issues whatsoever so far Had same problem as you with previous dual disc

I have a 750 dual disk South bend in my 06 duramax, it's been the loudest clutch I've ever heard since brand new. I deburd it when it was installed but still doesn't like to shift so I mostly just bump shift

What turbo you got in your 5500?. I put a fleece cheetah in my 09 2500 and sofar I'm loving it. My clutch engages right at the top of the pedal aswell. I am having a hard time getting it into gear when I let it sit in neutral at a stop light, but never have a problem once I get going if I shift slowly. If I speed shift or skip shift while down shifting I have a hard time getting it into gear

Man where did you find those style of door panels with the wood grain I’ve been looking everywhere for those and can’t find em

I have the same Diamond C lowboy as urs except mine is a gneck. Got it ~4 months ago. Having issues with tires blowing. It’s not overloaded.. carrying same machine and mulcher as u. Wondering if the torsion axles are just causing too much bounce and maybe those tires somehow rubbing on a horizontal angle iron piece that’s right behind the tires. Any thoughts? Taking the trailer back in to dealer for them to look at it tomorrow

Did your Southbend DD make the truck jumpy in first and reverse pulling a trailer? My 06 g56 is very jump pullin a good load

Good information thanks.

My south bend dual disk mad it 128000 mile before the intermediate plate ears broke off and shot a piece through the bell housing. I have a valair in the 06 now and it has been so much better.

That’s money dude.

I just had a new one I put in and it would completely disengage. The clutch friction disk was warped. Might wanna check for flatness. Had to do mine over again right away

I have a 2013 3500 that I put the same clutch in about 10 months ago, curious if the quiet version actually worked.

Finally got my clutch in tonight went from stock to valair single disk i dont tow what you do but tow alot and stock was slipping

Also John at upstate brush control called u out on the eggxcavator challenge lol

I have a south bend 3250 gk org dual disc and when everything is cold in the morning its quiet and it shifts nice. As soon as everything warms up that sucker gets so jumpy and you can't get the thing in reverse unless you put it in 3rd let the clutch out till it starts to grab , then it'll go into reverse

I have old street Valair dual disc clutch in my 2012 ram that I put in back in 2012. It's loud and shifts rough as hell. Maybe I should upgrade.

Gotta say I have a southbend 650hp rated dual disc in my 05 duramax and I’ve been extremely happy with it. Perhaps a touch of hang up pulling up and slapping it in reverse quick but other than that it’s been great

Sam I swapped a g56 in my 08 2500 with a south bend dual disc. I don’t row nearly what you do but it’s still a pain to get into gear. Seriously considering swapping to a Valair now.

I just had a Valaire dual disc quiet (550 hp) installed and it did not shift as I expected. Then in 800 miles the hydraulics went bad and I really could shift into 1st and second at a standstill. I hope when I get the new hydraulics it will be ok. My clutch is reasonably quiet tho. 2017 Ram cummins

Only have 5k miles on my sb DD. This makes me want to rip it out of my 2012 and put this valair in. Also dealing with sb squeaky pedal, that I heard valair's pedal eliminates as well.

I did the same thing with my 06, south bend was just always tough in second gear and reverse and just embarrassingly loud. Got the same Valair you did and I loved it. Did you do the break in procedure?

I’m in the same boat on my second duel disk only get three months out of mine

Got a part number for that clutch?

South bend in my powerstroke is the same way. Garbage. I sold my last truck because I thought my trans was trashed. Got a new to me low miles truck, put a south bend in it. Same problem. Shifts terrible, blowing throw out bearings every couple months. So frustrating.

Take clutch out of the truck and file the notches and see if it helps. It's a lot of work but it could save you some money. Best of luck.

I went ahead and bought this clutch and installed couple days ago. We took the time to file the splined hubs in the friction disks. WOW! What a difference. It shifts like a dream, so freaking quiet, I’m tickled to death. I hope it holds up. How long did it take for you to feel like your clutch had seated and burned in completely? I’m getting just a little hop at engagement, nothing major but it’s there. I feel like it will settle in and smooth out soon.

Was that original clutch a ceramic disc version? If so that explains why it was so clunky shifting. They work better for trans that have no synchronization with the gears. So floating the gears when road speeds and shaft speeds are close is the preferred way. Like your low boy driver trans. Organic disc clutches shift smoother because the have more give of the friction material.

I'm not super familiar with California's laws but my dad's company is based out of California one of our trucks is a 2013 5500 Dodge will it be able to be registered there it is registered here right now because it is missing some parts

What gears are you running ?

F*ck dude, that filing idea makes all the sense in the world, you might've just solved my problem, hopefully. Guess I'll find out this weekend when I drop the nv4500. Thanks in advance.

What’s that headband light ?

Nice. Did you remove the washer from behind the pivot ball? Might be why the pedal is so high.

Ive got the south bend in mine. I float first through 4th towing or empty. Fifth is tricky getting timed right, sixth is nearly impossible.

What’s your opinion on the valair organic hd single disc clutch. 450hp rating. My truck makes 300hp but all i do is tow gooseneck with it. Probably max 15k. Have a nv4500 sitting on my bench i just put the 1 3/8 input and full spline main shaft in it. Ready for manual swap.

Also most times if hanging when shiting it ain't the clutch splines it the input shaft splines hanging you probably solved that by filing the clutch splines

That old clutch probably stole a lot of life from your sincro's. Probably a good idea to swap clutches out. Rebuilding that trans is a real hassle.

All that nice equipment, trucks, and a shop. Yet you don't have a lift.

I know this is an old video, but what transmission jack do you use? I’ve gotta pull my 5600 without a lift as well lol

Can we get a build breakdown on some of your rigs?

I wonder if you file the splines on the Southbend if it would shift better. Likely getting a Valair over SBC in the future for my G56 once the OEM clutch starts to give out.

Now that you have the new clutch did you try removing that shifter extender? Seems like it would just be making you have a longer shift stroke now, and be better without it on.

The problem is the pressure plate not releasing correctly causing the disc to drag on the 2 plate surfaces. This drag will make shifting progressively worse. Generally diaphragm pressure plate clutches work the best. Never had good luck with the 3 finger pressure plates.

I don't think there's anything WORSE when it comes to owning a stick truck, than a clutch/trans that is a constant fight. How frustrating

I have the valair dd clutch. Put it on my 17 3500 at 125k. I now have 185 k. I tow with it every day. I absolutely hate how loud the clutch is.

Mind is automatical never had any problems with it.

How is the engagement of the clutch pulling out from a stop? Reason I am asking I just bought a 2005 dodge 2500 with nv5600 trans and it has a dual disc in it but holy crap it wants to hop some when I’m trying to ease out in 1st gear. Clutch is either engaged or disengaged there is no “feathering” to it and I hate it.