New Mazda owner

[justinae]

I just purchased a 1994 B4000 and have been trying to track down how much weight, if any, I can tow behind this thing. That info seems ellusive, at least to someone new to Mazdas. Any help appreciated.

I'm hoping I can tow a 4'x8' utility trailer that will be used for hauling construction demo/materials.

thanks,
Justin

[Tyranitar]

Yeah, its a Ford Ranger with a 4.0L. Searching for the same info for a Ford Ranger will yield better results. You can tow up to about 4500 lbs but thats with an empty truck. That also includes the weight of the trailer. Your truck also has the A4LD, I would not attempt towing unless you make sure that transmission is in tip top shape and has a shift kit and valve body calibration installed. Also get a good trans cooler, the stacked plate type is better than a tube and fin. Get the largest one that will fit. Do not tow in overdrive.

[faiza.fatima22@yahoo.com]

the manual does say to use a water-based dressing.

[justinae]

My truck is a manual transmission. I knew about the Ford Ranger part so thanks for the suggestion to search that way, good idea. I hauled a trailer full of lumber and it did great. Today I'll be hauling a trailer full of plaster and that will be the real test of drivability. Not going far.

I've read that manuals have a lower towing capacity than automatics. Is that true? My understanding is that I can't do anything to actually increase the towing capacity, but is there anything I can do to lessen the impact? Frame mounted hitch vs. bumper hitch for example?

thanks again.
Justin

[Tyranitar]

That is true, the M50D manual transmission is really weak. There is not much that can be done about it either. If you are really creative you could switch to a T5, but that would involve a lot of fabrication work. The M50D has weak synchros for starters, they tend to make it hard to engage gear when they start to wear. The more power you have, or the more load you haul, the faster the synchros wear. There are other parts that are weak too, thats why the M50D is rarely found in the 4.0L models. To lessen the wear, make sure you fully depress the clutch when you shift. The stuck clutch is also weak, as you tow, it will wear down quickly, particularly as you maneuver the trailer, as thats when you have to slip the clutch a lot.