I have read that many of you tow big with your ZF6. I just snagged a 2002 F350 CCLB Lariat w/7.3 (of course!) w/ZF6 and the manual transfer case. 125k. Great shape. Photo attached. My e99 has rotted out from underneath me. Aside from extended cab, it is the same as above w/190k. I'm sorry to have to cut it loose.

Shifting on new to me truck is balky at R,1,2. Most likely a bent fork and/or synchros. Anyway, I am going to swap my trans from the 99 into the 2002, since I had that inspected 10k miles ago and got a clean bill of health (I think one of the bearings was replaced, I cannot recall at the moment).

The ? I have is about the clutch. The 99 has a Southbend 1944 single mass - for stock HP. It only has 10k on it. The combo clutch and trans works like a dream and unless there is a reason to swap clutches, I have no probs making the 99 to 2002 change straight up.

But is the stock HP clutch good enough for towing a mid size camper (non 5th wheel) or a 24' boat? My wife and I are trying to figure out what we want to do along those lines - tow behind camper or a picnic type boat. New England terrain - hilly, not mountainous. Chipping the truck isn't a big priority, although I understand a "tow" tune could result in some better fuel mileage - while still keeping within the stock envelope. In other words, I'm not looking to upgrade turbos/injectors or anything like that. I run 235/85s which is nearly identical height to the stock 265/75s these rigs come with.

Since I'm going to have things splayed open, now would be the time to slip a better suited clutch in there - if it seems like the thing to do. Looking forward to hear the groups thoughts.

 

I tow GVW 29,000lb with a ZF6, stock clutch and 25 HP PHP tune on a basically stock engine. 4.88 axle. No slipping, but I get the impression that the clutch is doing all it can to keep up. DO NOT fail to install one of SkySkiJason's bronze oil light bushings in there in place of the failure prone pilot bearing. I've had to pull my transmission 4 times over that one issue.
Clutches always held up, but the pilot bearing was always the reason the transmission had to come back out. First one took the transmission with it, ruined one of the bearings on the input shaft.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-bearings.html

 

I have a South Bend 1939OHD mated to the OEM flywheel which was resurfaced. I think it is rated to 475 HP, or near there.

I tow our 5th wheel cross country and long distances. Last year we went from GA to ID and back. A couple years ago we went from GA to Seattle WA and back. We do A LOT of towing and or hauling and 90% of the time the truck is on the road it is working for a living.

We have been as far south as AZ and FL and as far north as WA, ND and PA on the east coast. The clutch has done great on grades and stop-go traffic when going through cities.

We have other vehicles to get groceries or run errands.

Never once has the clutch slipped or shown any sign of falling short of performing the required task. I would recommend the clutch to a friend based on my experience.

SkySkiJason installed the clutch for us as I didn't have the time or tools to accomplish the job. We were and still are grateful for his help and advice on purchasing a South Bend clutch.

 

A healthy stock clutch will hold up for a long time towing and working on a stock truck. If you tune it to 40-65hp tunes and tow or drive it enthusiastically, it wont last long. If you have the cash, since you will have the transmission out, now is a good time to upgrade to a good southbend clutch and an ssj bushing. If cash isnt laying around to use, the clutch you have will do an ok job if you are nice to it and don’t run a tune.

 

That clutch should work just fine for you. I also reccomend the oil lite bronze bushing by the member mentioned. The pilot bearing is the #1 killer to a Zf6.

 

A bronze bushing purchase has been initiated!

 

So I am sticking with the current SB 1944-6K and swap it into the new to me 2002. Plus the oiled bushing. I am not prone to "coal rolling" or trying to accelerate uphill while dragging something behind me, so I think it should be OK for awhile.

 

I have that clutch, I'm not stock, I tow a 13k 5er

Row thru the gears and enjoy

 

Solid plan and good idea to purchase the oiliite bushing.