BT 50 Owners

Hi Allan, we have an 07 high body BT50 4x2 twin cab manual. Our clutch was also replaced at about 30000 K's & we were told it failed due to the thrust bearing sticking on the shaft.
The replacement clutch failed after a further 8000 Ks for reasons unknown & was replaced with a modified version. We tow an 18 foot pop top Jayco but do not tow in fifth as it is not recommended that you do so. The vehicle has now done about 45000 Ks & we have not had any other problems.

The reverse gear in ours seems to me to be a bit to high of a ratio, because if you let the clutch out out at idle speed the vehicle reverses pretty quick, which is OK if you are not reversing the van. However, when you are reversing the van it is necessary to slip the clutch a fair bit. When I discussed this with our local Mazda service manager, he told me that they were aware of this problem but there was no modified ratio reverse available for a manual.

Like you, our experience with Mazda after sales service has been very good & whilst we would rather not have had the problem in the first place, we cannot complain about their promptness, cooperation & courtesy in rectifying the situation. Cheers

Hi Allan, and other Ranger/Bt50 owners.

you can do a small modification enabling you to use low range in 2 wheel drive,
details below. This makes things much easier when reversing your caravan.

There is a lot more about this mod on 4WD action web site.

Site Link

BT50/Ranger Mod to get Low Range 2WD.
Ok this is the Mod I have done to my Ranger so has to use Low range 2 wheel drive for backing a caravan etc.

there's 2 relay's under the bonnet on the left side of the brake booster. 1 plug is black=free solenoid and the other plug is Blue=Lock solenoid.
I did the following mod.
#1-Cut the red wire back about 100mm from the blue plug.
#2- Run a length of 3mm twin core wire from driver side foot well into engine compartment.
#3- place shrink wrap over the wires before soldeing each end of cut Red wire to one of each of the twin core wires, and then cover the soldered joins after soldering with the shrink wrap.
#4-Using a Narva rocker switch #63020BL with amber LED, run an earth wire to ground the switch and run the twin core wires to the switch Power & Acc poles.
#5- To Test. Start the Ute. The Led on Rocker switch will light up if it is in the On position.
Move the 4WD lever to 4WD, the Rocker switch Led will turn OFF.
Move forward to engage RFW (Remote Free Wheel hubs) and the RFW light on the dash will light up.
This will give you 4 wheel drive.
Now move the 4WD lever back to 2WD and disengage the RFW switch so the dash light goes out.

To Select 2WD Low Range.
Turn the Rocker switch OFF (LED OFF).
Move 4WD lever to Low Range and move the ute forwards, the RFW light will not come ON. This will give you 2 Wheel Drive Low Range.
When you reselect 2WD High Range, turn the rocker switch back on. This will sometimes bring the RFW light on so just push the RFW button again to turn it OFF.

Hope this helps.

Regards Jaytee.