Has any towed 4k pounds or more with a f150 and the mazda 5speed tranny?

 

I have the Mazda tranny in my F-150. I pull 14,000 lbs (S250 Bobcat and 20' equipment trailer) a couple times a week in the summer, and our enclosed work trailer which weights about 3,500 lbs almost everyday. I had the tranny rebuilt at about 140,000 miles because the shaft between the tranny and T-case ended up getting alot of slop after I entered my truck in a truck pull, but other than that no problems at all. I just wish that is had a "granny" first gear.

 

I was wandering because Ford only rates the F150s with 5speeds up to 3400lbs with a 3.55 gear.I going to buy one(92-96)but am having a hard time locating one with an auto trans.Do you have an aftermarket heavy duty clutch setup?

 

I have 1 ton rear springs, electric brake control, Class V hitch and I regeared from 3.08's to 4.10's. The clutch is acutally the original from the factory unit. Never replaced in the 150,000 miles of the truck. When the tranny was rebuilt the mechanic said that it was just fine and didn't need to be replaced, and that it looked like it was good for another 140,000 miles . If I had the chance to do it over again I would have bought a F-250 or F-350, but I have to make due until next fall when "the boss" , lets me get a Super Duty.

 

Cool,the truck I want will be a 4x2 and I plan to regear to a 3.73 using stock tire size.Most people on this forum say those Mazda 5speeds are junk.Those 1 ton springs keep the rear from bouncing and sagging?Could I get away with a good set of air shocks?I will be towing a 4000lb boat with surge brakes about 12-15 times a year 200-300 miles round trip each time.

 

Well, I have towed a 6000lb car trailer with my I6 M5OD 3.55 4x4. I just got the trailer so I can't comment on durability of the tranny while towing. It tows ok, I do agree with PHS79, a lower 1st gear would really help getting it rolling.

I am not sure how tounge-heavy a boat is but you probably won't need different springs/airshocks. On the car trailer, loaded (6k). The truck doesn't sag at all and I have the lowest F150 springs out there. The problem with a boat is that it's harder to transfer weight front to back.

I will say there are a few drawbacks to my setup. It is kind of hard to back with the trailer. The reverse is a bit fast. I usually put the transfer case in low for precision backing... Just something to think about.