Hydraulic clutch question? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

manimal · 03-10-2013, 11:01 AM

What year did GM start using the hydraulic clutch in full size trucks? I have a complete mechanical linkage set-up from an early 80's and would like to know if it will work in my '85 dually? Thank you.

MTCK · 03-10-2013, 01:50 PM

I believe 1985 is the first year for hydro. You should have no problem finding a mechanical linkage pedal assembly: the hydraulic pedals are the hard ones to find.
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D13 · 03-10-2013, 07:28 PM

Just have to drill a hole and get a grommet. Texas Firefighter did the a couple years ago.

b454rat · 03-10-2013, 07:59 PM

85 or 86. I swapped my old 84 to hydro, all parts came off an 86. Both are getting tough to find, as yards aren't keeping these very long. I'd like to find a hydro for my truck, has the mech in it now and want to replace it....

**hatzie** · 03-10-2013, 08:02 PM

My 85 C10 had a hydraulic clutch.

manimal · 03-11-2013, 09:12 AM

Well, I have everything for the mechanical set-up,except the frame pivot bracket.

83GMCK2500 · 03-11-2013, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manimal

Well, I have everything for the mechanical set-up,except the frame pivot bracket.

Any chance you can hit up some junkyards? I have the mechanical linkage, f-ing hate it. Just had to replace half the parts in it, still need to replace more. Too many moving parts, too many things to wear out or increase friction for my liking. Also, your cab will have all of the correct dimples and marks for adding hydro clutch to it.

I understand the desire to use what you have, but...from my experience I would NOT add mechanical to a truck.

manimal · 03-11-2013, 01:21 PM

I actually hit up all the yards this weekend...nothing.

MTCK · 03-11-2013, 01:41 PM

I agree on ditching the mech clutch linkage. I'm about to switch mine to hydraulic because the linkage interferes with my extended shock hoops. It is also notorious for hitting exhaust headers (except a certain set of hedman elites).

I had no luck at salvage yards and ended up posting a WTB ad on Pirate 4x4. I had several replies and ended up paying about $150 for a whole setup with master, slave, pedals, lines and reservoir. Be careful you get the right setup and not something cobbled together. I had o e guy try to sell me something that was not from our vintage of truck.
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wraprail · 03-11-2013, 04:54 PM

Just use a wilwood single master and your stock pedals. Better than factory.

Posted via Mobile Device

boneheaddoctor · 06-03-2017, 02:20 PM

Really hate dredging up old threads...but I wish I had come across this option when I started collecting parts to do a NV4500 swap...first set of pedals I bought were not what they were advertised to be...but I could have saved a bunch of money buying a second set if I had seen this then. And yeah...try finding a set of Hydraulic Clutch / Hydroboost pedals....they are as close to unobtainium as anything you might actually stumble across if you look long enough. Moneys spent, and parts acquired in my case, but this can save someone else time and money.

wraprail · 09-12-2020, 06:33 PM

Seven years and 70,000 miles later and this same setup is still in the truck trouble free. Manual chrysler brake master and wilwood clutch master.

03-10-2013, 11:01 AM	#1
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Hydraulic clutch question? What year did GM start using the hydraulic clutch in full size trucks? I have a complete mechanical linkage set-up from an early 80's and would like to know if it will work in my '85 dually? Thank you. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

03-10-2013, 01:50 PM	#2
MTCK Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 1,830	Re: Hydraulic clutch question? I believe 1985 is the first year for hydro. You should have no problem finding a mechanical linkage pedal assembly: the hydraulic pedals are the hard ones to find. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ -Marcus 1991 V3500 L29 454 4L80E NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's 1984 K30 292 TH400 NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's flat bed 7'6" Meyer Plow 2022 Silverado 3500 L8T Project Daily Driver Project Heavy Hauler Project Plow Truck

03-10-2013, 07:28 PM	#3
D13 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Memphis MI Posts: 1,851	Re: Hydraulic clutch question? Just have to drill a hole and get a grommet. Texas Firefighter did the a couple years ago. __________________ 1987 2 ton 1982 250/TH350 beater in progress Dad's 1981 3/4 L6 3 on tree posi and no options, awaiting restoration or scrapping Plus a mess o' tractors

03-10-2013, 07:59 PM	#4
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,469	Re: Hydraulic clutch question? 85 or 86. I swapped my old 84 to hydro, all parts came off an 86. Both are getting tough to find, as yards aren't keeping these very long. I'd like to find a hydro for my truck, has the mech in it now and want to replace it.... __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 4” SAS 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 6" SAS

03-10-2013, 08:02 PM	#5
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,977	Re: Hydraulic clutch question? My 85 C10 had a hydraulic clutch. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

03-11-2013, 09:12 AM	#6
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: Hydraulic clutch question? Well, I have everything for the mechanical set-up,except the frame pivot bracket. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

03-11-2013, 01:21 PM	#8
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: Hydraulic clutch question? I actually hit up all the yards this weekend...nothing. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

03-11-2013, 01:41 PM	#9
MTCK Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fairbanks, AK Posts: 1,830	Re: Hydraulic clutch question? I agree on ditching the mech clutch linkage. I'm about to switch mine to hydraulic because the linkage interferes with my extended shock hoops. It is also notorious for hitting exhaust headers (except a certain set of hedman elites). I had no luck at salvage yards and ended up posting a WTB ad on Pirate 4x4. I had several replies and ended up paying about $150 for a whole setup with master, slave, pedals, lines and reservoir. Be careful you get the right setup and not something cobbled together. I had o e guy try to sell me something that was not from our vintage of truck. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ -Marcus 1991 V3500 L29 454 4L80E NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's 1984 K30 292 TH400 NP205 D60/14 Bolt 4.56's flat bed 7'6" Meyer Plow 2022 Silverado 3500 L8T Project Daily Driver Project Heavy Hauler Project Plow Truck

03-11-2013, 04:54 PM	#10
wraprail Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona Posts: 863	Re: Hydraulic clutch question? Just use a wilwood single master and your stock pedals. Better than factory. Posted via Mobile Device

06-03-2017, 02:20 PM	#11
boneheaddoctor Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Vienna, VA Posts: 4	Re: Hydraulic clutch question? Really hate dredging up old threads...but I wish I had come across this option when I started collecting parts to do a NV4500 swap...first set of pedals I bought were not what they were advertised to be...but I could have saved a bunch of money buying a second set if I had seen this then. And yeah...try finding a set of Hydraulic Clutch / Hydroboost pedals....they are as close to unobtainium as anything you might actually stumble across if you look long enough. Moneys spent, and parts acquired in my case, but this can save someone else time and money.

09-12-2020, 06:33 PM	#12
wraprail Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona Posts: 863	Re: Hydraulic clutch question? Seven years and 70,000 miles later and this same setup is still in the truck trouble free. Manual chrysler brake master and wilwood clutch master. __________________



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