First of all I want to thank all who post on this site.I've have had some great input and answers to previous questions i've had .I have a 96 150 4.9 manual trans.Is this a Mazda transmission or a Ford I've heard both?I have 3:55 gears and pull a bass boat around {I need to brag a bit I'ts a 84 373 BMC Ranger 2nd owner scale 1 to 10 condition wise i'ts a solid 9}My other question is do I need to be using a receiver hitch instead of a bumper mount hitch .My bumper says it rated at 5000 lbs with tongue weight of 500 lbs my rig is about 2200 to 2400 lbs fully loaded .How do you figure tongue weight?Im looking at a Reese frame mount receive hitch class #3 is this adequate and is this just bolt on or are there modifications to be made.Any info will be appreciated.

 

Mazda M5OD-R2. Ford doesn't make truck trannies of the stickshift type. Tough rranny and will do ya well.

A reciever hitch is a must for real towing. A class 3 is perfect and will bolt right on.

Adrianspeeder

 

I went to the salvage yard and bought my class III reciever hitch for $50. I told them not to, but they cut the upper mounting plate of the hitch. So I bought 8, grade 8, 1/2" bolts and neoprene nuts from a local metal, tools, and hardware store. Bolts right on with no mods.

Edited to add:
I bought my boat a few months ago and pulled it home by the bumper. I needed the reciever hitch because mine is an I/O and it put the lower unit about 6" off the ground. Put the hitch on and a 4" drop on the ball and that almost leveled my trailer off thus raising the lower unit about another 2 1/2" - 3". Now I dont worry about it dragging the ground over bumps or mounds or anywhere. Plus I couldn't belive the difference it made in pulling it too.