The Best Heavy Duty Clutch Upgrade for N70 Toyota Hilux
There are a lot of options on the market when it comes to selecting the best clutch upgrade for your 1KD powered N70 (KUN26R) Toyota Hilux, there isn’t necessarily a “best” so much as “best for your application” so let’s take a look at some background info, try to answer some questions and then list our recommended options.
Clutch Failure:
We typically expect to get quite long life out of a 4WD Clutch, 300,000 kilometers can be expected from a good quality clutch. However the factory one may fail much sooner if subjected to Heavy use such as towing, running big tyres and lift kit or 4wding.
If unsure on clutch health, unfortunately the only way to physically diagnose a clutch is by removing the gearbox to check it – But before doing that, make sure it is actually the clutch that’s failed. A common mistake is diagnosing a worn clutch issue when it is actually a Clutch hydraulics issue. For example – The car has a ‘soft pedal’ that has no resistance to your foot, or gets stuck on the floor, in that case it could be the Master or Slave Cylinder which need replacing. Linked those below.
https://hdautomotive.com.au/product/n70-clutch-slave-cylinder/
https://hdautomotive.com.au/product/n70-clutch-master-cylinder/
The most obvious sign of clutch failure is called ‘slipping’ for example, when driving up a hill the RPM Rises faster than the road speed eg: the RPM is rising but the vehicle isn’t accelerating. The clutch is worn out or cannot handle the load, and must be replaced immediately – once a clutch starts slipping it may only last a few hours or days before completely letting go.
Upgrading to a Heavy duty clutch doesn’t give you any increase in performance, or make you shift any faster – But it does ensure that you vehicle can hold the power upgrades and weight added to it.

Worn clutch removed for upgrade, the friction material isn’t completely gone yet, but it was slipping with the power increase
You can’t remap your Hilux on a standard clutch!
Simply put, even a small increase in torque will cause the standard clutch to slip immediately, or not long after. I took a gamble on tuning with the unknown clutch in my N70 and didn’t even make it down the street! So it pays to check what’s in there already – there is no minimum standard for ‘heavy duty’ and many of the clutches sold at regular parts shops aren’t dyno tested for 4wds with big tyres making 30%+ extra torque. Most ‘heavy duty’ clutch upgrades will NOT withstand tuning or heavy towing!
Horsepower Rating:
For context, a stock Hilux makes about 130hp on our Mainline Dyno – Remapped expect 160-190HP and High performance packages with high flow injectors make about 250-300hp
Flywheel Size: Important to take into consideration, is what build date Hilux you have
Models built Pre 06/2008 had a smaller 260mm flywheel
Models after 06/2008 had a larger 275mm flywheel
When it comes to Flywheel size, bigger is better. A larger clutch has more surface area to clamp on and is going to be able to hold more torque. So if you have the earlier model, it’s definitely worth considering spending the extra on a clutch kit that includes the larger flywheel – they physically bolt up the same, there is no difference in starter motor or gearbox fitment, only the surface area.
How much to replace the clutch?
Heavy duty clutch kit’s for the N70 Hilux range quite a bit, from $750-$1850 depending on Horsepower rating and whether or not you need a Flywheel – so you can see why it’s important to do some research to pick the one you actually need.
It typically takes up to 8 hours of work to fit a new clutch. A good mechanic that’s done a few will most likely do it faster, but charge accordingly for their effort. Extra accessories such as side steps can make it take longer, they may also need to be removed for the Gearbox to come out
A clutch kit includes the clutch itself, a new spigot bearing, thrust bearing. Pressure plate bolts and flywheel bolts can be re-used if in good condition per factory manual. Consider also replacing the rear main seal at the same time, if the car was fairly new we wouldn’t disturb it, but considering the age of the N70 Hilux it’s a no-brainer to replace for $65 considering how much work it is to get to!
1KD Rear main seal: https://hdautomotive.com.au/product/90311-95008-rear-main-oil-seal/
Re-using your factory flywheel is completely fine, but it needs to be machined so the new clutch has a good surface to grip on, don’t forget to allow for the cost of having a shop machine it. (Around $100)

On this Hilux, ARB side steps needed to be removed from the gearbox crossmember, adding extra work onto the job.

Gearbox removed from the Hilux, 4wd gearboxes are long and heavy, it’s possible to do the job on the floor with some help, but it’s much easier with a hoist and transmission jack.
HD Auto Clutch Guide:
Now that it’s time to replace the clutch, lets look at our options
Exedy Heavy Duty – Part Number 8006HD
Consider Exedy ‘heavy duty’ as an upgrade for a stock Hilux that has not been modified.
Horsepower rating: Stock or lightly modified only
Exedy are a Japanese manufacturer, well known for manufacturing premium quality friction material and clutch kits for OEM and Aftermarket. With that being said, they aren’t directly involved in the aftermarket tuning scene and aren’t suitable for remapped and tuned Toyota Hilux’s. Considering we increase the power and torque +30% or more with just a dyno tune on the common rail engine, we have seen these clutches slip immediately or shortly after tuning.
The Exedy 8006HD is $785
https://hdautomotive.com.au/product/exedy-8006hd-heavy-duty-clutch-kit/

BRC Performance Clutch
High performance clutch aimed at the tuning and towing market
Horsepower rating: 350hp
BRC clutches are based in Thailand – The home of big HP Common rail tuning and the crazy wooden boats we’ve all seen reels of. What most people don’t know is that Thailand doesn’t just do cheap knock-off’s, they have some very serious (and large) aftermarket companies like BRC producing their own parts. Most of the dual cabs in the Australian market, are also offered in Thailand as they are mostly manufactured there.
Perfect on a mildly tuned Hilux or a Highly tuned vehicle with F44/F55 Turbo, High flow +30 or +60 Injectors with upgraded intercooler and exhaust.
BRC N70 Organic Clutch is designed to:
-Handle high horsepower/torque, will not slip even on highly modified Toyota Hilux’s,
-Fit as a factory clutch (no pricey billet flywheel or other modification required),
-Last under heavy duty conditions such as towing or big tyres,
-Retains and improves factory pedal comfort
These are a great option we have specifically for the Hilux, they’re $1000 for clutch kit itself or $1350 with the Flywheel included. We recommend going for the fly wheel kit as it saves you paying to have yours machined and avoids downtime with the vehicle.

https://hdautomotive.com.au/product/brc-300hp-flywheel-clutch-kit-n70-1kd-hilux/
NPC Performance Clutches – Part number NPC7678-1D / NPC8006-1B
Modified clutches for the Australian Market
Horsepower rating: Multiple Options
NPC are an Australian company focused on uprated clutches for the tuning market. They don’t manufacture their own clutch materials, but they have a clever process of modifying premium Exedy Clutches to handle more torque, plus combining them with custom billet flywheels to accept bigger diameter clutches.
For the N70 Hilux, NPC have two clutch kits.
Horsepower rating: 250-300HP Part number NPC7678-1D
-the ‘7678’ NPC upgrade Kit includes the Billet flywheel and is their ‘Super Heavy duty’ clutch. The optional Braided clutch hose is highly recommended as it bypasses the factory clutch dampener improving the pedal feel.
Horsepower rating: ~220HP Part number NPC8006-1B
-Alternative is an ‘8006’ based off a standard size flywheel. This kit fit’s multiple Hilux models from N60-N80 and is suitable for mildly Tuned Hilux’s up to ~220HP
The 7678 NPC Kit costs $1824 with the recommended braided clutch hose, while the 8006 Kit costs $1585

https://hdautomotive.com.au/product/1kd-ftv-750nm-heavy-duty-npc-clutch/
Notes on Clutch adjustment
The N70 Hilux has a hydraulically operated clutch, A master and slave cylinder which push on a mechanical fork to operate. Meaning that it’s simple, self adjusting and doesn’t require regular adjustment as the friction material wears down over time. However there is some adjustment via a bolt on the clutch pedal itself to get the pedal height comfortable.
-If the pedal adjustment is too high, the travel will be short and too sensitive
-If the pedal is too low, the full range of travel might be stopped, especially by thick floor mats. Meaning it’s harder to change gears
When installing a clutch we typically bleed the system, adjust the pedal, then re adjust it after a test drive to get perfect.


New BRC clutch fitted, ready for gearbox to go back in. Bolts are done up in a diagonal pattern so Texta marks can help identify they’re all tight.
Summary
Don’t forget to consider whether you need a flywheel or not when buying, we do sell heavy duty clutches for the 260mm fly wheel, but there’s no reason not to upgrade.
While NPC is the undisputed King of our Landcruiser clutches, considering the price difference, it’s hard to go past the BRC option for your Hilux. Many customers trust NPC as a premium brand so we happily stock both options.
High Performance is not always necessary! A performance clutch is always going to have a little more bite than a standard one, so if you like your 1KD Hilux stock and don’t plan to tune it – Exedy HD is OEM Quality.

The big girl hitting the dyno with it’s new clutch, ready for its Beach trip the day after.
We have an entire category dedicated to 1KD performance on the website!
https://hdautomotive.com.au/product-category/1kd-ftv-performance-parts
+Don’t forget we have a HD Auto Text line – You can message us anytime at 0483 906 923