clutch slipping?

[hans mowman]

Just got my new chip today and all I can say is wow! Unfortunately about 5 minutes into my charter voyage I really started getting onit and immediately noticed my rpms shooting up. Happens in high gears, low rpm. Doesn't seem to happen in lower gears.so three questions...

This is clutch slippage right? I'm impressed but I don't think I'm spinning tires at cruising speed.

If so, how long do I have before failure? Im actually going on vacation Saturday, 600 miles round trip. Never been an issue before, and I haul a 10k bobcat, as recent as last week. Never noticed a hint of a problem. How quick a process is it from the first signs?

If im looking at replacement, any recommendations on an upgrade without getting too pricey?

6sp with 130k. I got the truck with 60k and haven't put one in, so im assuming its original.

[hans mowman]

I should add that I know 0 about clutches, and in doing some for the readings I wonder if I have a different problem. I do have an external oil leak on the bottom, coming from the pan gasket or below. Is it possible that's getting in there and causing the problem? It's not a minor slip it revs right up, and it doesn't do it on stock setting.

[cleatus12r]

If your RPM is rising and you're not accelerating, your clutch is slipping.

Time for a new one along with a single mass flywheel.

[hans mowman]

Thanks for the reply. Any thoughts on how quickly I need to do this? Like I said taking a road trip saturday I hate to think about trying to replace it before then

[IdahoF350]

Contact South Bend Clutch or one of their dealers about a clutch and flywheel package. I have their clutch and flywheel in my 6.0L truck, works as claimed, 4 years and 65k later. If you get into a more aggressive disc like I'm running with the ceramic buttons on both sides, they can chatter a bit when cold and be a little difficult backing a trailer up hill and what not. Nothing bad enough to stop my wife from driving it in a pinch though.

[1996pwrstrk]

If you baby it ( try not to let it slip ) the clutch could last for a while, keep the chip on a low setting . There are a few different clutch set's available for our trucks . I helped install a Valair clutch ( Valair Performance Series Clutches (http://valairinc.com/performance/index.html) ) in my friends 2001 superduty that put's down some pretty good power and he's real happy with it . I believe when mine goes that's what I will be using.