Guys, this was the first time that I have driven a new 4.0L motor truck. It was in an '08 FX4 Ranger and it was real nice.

The newest one that I had previously driven was a 1992 4.0L motor.

This one was mated to a 5 speed auto tranny and it just had great power.

I was set on getting a 3/4-ton diesel truck because a diesel just has ENDLESS power. However, insurance rates on a Ranger are much lower, plus it would be a DD for a while, and I dont tow but rarely and if I do its generally a 10-foot utility trailer with a couple of dirt bikes. But I am sure that a newer FX4 ranger could handle a 21 foot mastercraft.


Back to the motor though, man, it pulled for a V6. I found a pretty steep hill and the motor took no strain at all. I think that my '88 F250 strains more with a 351 then this Ranger did.

All I do is haul dirt bikes if anything. I think that for the next few years that this truck will be a great candidate for doing just this.

Any opinions that you guys have or feel that you have to say about the newer motor and its capabilities or whatever will be much appreciated.

 

Great motor. I have never towed but Alon tows a buggy with a bunch of other crap on one big trailer. It does just fine.

 

Hmm, I prefer the 07 suspension over the 08 as far as FX4's go.

Plus manual tranny = own towing.

 

The manuals have a lower tow rating than the autos. It's mostly because Ford didn't want people coming in with burnt clutches because they can't drive stick properly while towing but if I had a choice when I got my truck I would get an auto.

Here is a pic of what Alon tows:

 

You know why they rate the manuals lower?

Its not that they cant tow the weight. Its the fact most people would kill a manual towing just because of lack of experience towing with a manual.. like burning a clutch plate.

I have towed like 4000lb just fine with mine,

 

I added that in after I posted. LOL

The manual is still a weak tranny. I didn't put a blower on my truck because I had read that the extra 60 or so horsepower would destroy it.

 

You'll have no issues towing the mastercraft.

Get the truck and do the mods I've done... and it'll hang with many a stock mustang GT.

Rich

 

I dont think its the tranny that will get torn.. Being generally the clutch goes before a tranny.. its like a way to save the tranny by just losing the clutch. I am sure on the Centerforce DF it could handle the boost..

Rich runs his NOS to 60 hp no problems.

 

Nope. It's the tranny that would take a dump. Wayne has gone through a couple so he installed a GM non computer controlled auto. https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ad.php?t=42428

Rich is auto.

 

Oh rich is auto, i did not know that. ha.

Well thats odd that it would dump the tranny.. i really dont know why it would do that.. but i guess its just not strong enough for it.

Any particular reason why it kills our trannys? is it the toque output or just stress?

 

I think it has something to do with the trans being ****. Mazda should not make truck transmissions.

 

my 4.0 keeps up with gt's and all ive got is a tuner, intake and exhaust. i love my 4.0, i drive my 3.0 in my work ranger and man that thing is wimpy compared to the 4.0.

 

Haha that could be it..

Hmm and noone has come up with a solution to the problem?

 

...

 

...???

Manual = less stress on a transmission if driven correctly.

A manual towing will out live an automatic towing.

 

just forget about it.....i know these trucks and their limits in manual transmission form and the limits of the mazda trans...you wouldn't have liked what i typed, and neither would the mods....so i edited it.

 

With a well built tranny yes.

 

Which the ranger one is not

 

Haha.. i suppose that is the key word well built.


But i dont think its a horrible tranny, i have never had problems.

I shun more from autos then i do manauls

 

you will....trust me.....you will......

 

can i get the jaws theme song with this ^^^^^^^^

 

ive towed a lot of stuff with my manual trans ive had 45000 pounds of stuff bechind my truck and still no problems pulled fine lol its just how you drive i geuss

 

45K lbs???

 

ive pulled my 21 foot boat with my 4 cylinder lol it was pretty much hard... and i cant pull it up steep ramps barely can pull it up a slight ramp =\

 

4000lbs woops that key gets stuck sometime lol