This is one interesting thread - I'd like to ad my .02 cents (can)
Had a '91 Ranger - all Mazda, 5 spd. - towed the SAME 5th whl., over same roads I do now with F150 4.6 auto. My findings - Ranger pulled better, because I could watch Tach. & vary my speed, or RPM's as suited. But F150 NOT BAD, but with auto tranny, but it SUCKS trying to get it to stay in O/D. I feel like i've "lost touch". F150 rides better. Ranger got fair G/Mil. when not hauling. F150 - cannot match. F150 rides better.
I think 3:55 gearing is too low, if your towing. 4:10 would be much better. Ford shows LOWER TOWING LOADS with shift type trannys, because they don't think any of us know how to drive one.
If I had it to do over - towing what I tow, I would get a F150 - 5.4, MANUAL 5 spd. - with a 4:10 rrend - with HD towing package.
I am NOT a believer in 4x4's - you just push an other axel, plus, you have more stuff to fail.
I had a good budy that owned a towing company, & he said he NEVER felt the need for a 4X4, so why do I ?
I belive Ford SUCKS when they say a 4.6 can tow 7000 lbs with auto tranny. & they SUCK when they put P type tires on a vehicle they say can pull that weight. They SUCK when they say auto is better than std.
Other than that, I like my F150, - it sure rides nice.

------------------
98 F150 S/C 4.6 2wd Vermillion/Silver,HD Tow Pkg, Boards, Vents, Lund Bug Chaser, DIY "breezer" Tailgate, 5th whl hitch, Tool box, 16" OEM Mag's,BEEP,BEEP roadrunner floor mats.
Mobil1 /Wix Oil filter/ K&N / air box mod.
In looks & go - Chevy - like a rock.

 

Your gearing terms are backwards: the larger numeric value indicates lower gearing and smaller values indicate higher gearing.

 

I posted this in the "Transmissions" forum and I'm posting it here since it applies to this discussion.
__________________________________________________ ___

I've noticed a few things about the M5OD/Mazda R2 and I think others will back me up. Those who've SOUGHT OUT the 5 speed because of personal preference, not due to financial concerns or availability or salesman BS, have had the least amount of problems. I'm beginning to believe the majority of the "problems" associated with the R2 come from perceptions and attitudes. In a nutshell what the transmission mechanic told me is the R2 is a good transmission, but not quite as strong as the T-18 it replaced. And for the record, this is NOT the same transmission used in the Ranger (Ranger has the Mazda R1).

[This message has been edited by Ford man (edited 03-16-2000).]

 

Hey J-C,

I like your ride!! (kinda sounds like mine)

Have you been in any transmission-getting-hot-situations - like backing up a hill?

I have!!
But it comes out cool!!

------------------
1999 F250SD, XLT, 4x2, SC, V10, 4.30, LT235x85x16R, Longbed, Diamond plate mud flaps,Trailer tow Pkg, Class IV hitch, Camper special, sliding rear window, rear privacy glass, Ford rain gutters, Line-X, Lund wind deflector, Banks Trans Command, Banks tranny temp guage with Auto Meter single guage pod. Reese 15K fifth wheel hitch

 

Ok, but can the 5sp (R2)handle the power of a Lighning motor (440 lbs of Torque) ?

Also, as of right now... If I'm in the thick mud and I nail it with the NOS the cluch will
slip (puw). I find only CenterForce make a HD cluch for the 4.6.

I got 4.56 gears in the house, but one day hope the get them in the 4x4.

Thanks

---------------------------------

97 4x4 4.6 5sp White FlareSide

 

That would probably exceed the input limit for that transmission. The M5OD-HD/S5-42 ZF is rated for a maximum of 420 lb-ft input torque (this is the 5 speed in the Super Duty).

[This message has been edited by Ford man (edited 03-16-2000).]

 

Ok, but I do not have a SD, just a f150. Whats the spec on the R2 5sp trany ?

Ford does not mate the 5sp with the 5.4 , only the 4.6... So the R2 must not be able to handle the extra power.?? Thanks

 

Uh, no. Ford has to get each drivetrain combination EPA certified and that costs big money. Ford won't spend that kind of money on a drivetrain combination with only a limited amount of appeal. There are getting to be fewer and fewer individuals willing to drive a standard shift. GM's Gertrag is weaker than the R2, but GM put it in 1/2 ton pickups with the 350. Now that they've come out with their new engines, they've realized it won't be a money maker to get the 5.3L EPA certified and are making it available only with an automatic in the 1/2 ton.

 

In an earlier post, I repeated what the transmission mechanic said (again, a reputable firm, not an appliance repair/bait shop/auto repair type of shadetree outfit): the R2 will handle any current 1/2 ton Ford engine (except Lightning 5.4L) up to and including the 5.4L's 350 lb-ft of torque. If you were to go to an engine with a higher torque rating than the standard 5.4L, then you'd need to go with the S5-42 ZF.

[This message has been edited by Ford man (edited 03-17-2000).]

 

I disagree with the "new breed" theory. I am a college student so I would hardly consider myself a blue-collar worker. Practically my whole life my parents have had trucks(mom and dad both)neither of them needed one for work. My dad is a police officer and my mom is in the banking business. I own a truck but not because I need it for work. I own it because I like trucks, always have, always will. I love to offroading, its one of my favorite hobbies. It is also true that after I graduate I will probably wear a business suit to work. So this "new breed" has no bearing on the subject. I can afford a yuppy car or whatever you call it on top of my truck. So for those of you that agree with this theory, I say this. You will see me driving in my business suit to work in the same offroad truck that I will be driving in a wife-beater and shorts on the weekends, so if you agree with this "new breed" bs then you can kiss my rear whatever collar it is.

------------------

 

Now that you're done throwing your temper tantrum, let me remind you we're talking about towing with the Mazda R2 standard shift transmission. You need to put your emotions in check and READ the content of the posts.

 

I'm not really a 'new breed' since I'm currently balancing two careers. When I'm goat herding I know it's a truck and treat it as such. When I'm on my way to a photo shoot as an international film star, I find myself thinking 'What's that smell?'.

I guess I'm a 'half-breed'.

 

Well I guess being a "half breed" or "new" breed is better than being inbred.

 

FordMan: Wow. How did this trany thing go that far off track? Thanks for you help. I fig the 4.56 gears would lighting the toeque load off of the trany. Well also the bigger tires. Hey, your town is Green Acres. Is that the one in Fla ?

 

It's the one on "TV Land."