Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi everyone,

I bought a new Mazda BT-50 TD yesterday. Today, I decided to try out low range for the first time on some hilly but reasonably smooth terrain. I was coming down a steepish hill in low first on engine braking when the gearbox lever jumped out of gear.
I thought I may not have engaged first gear properly the first time, so I tried again, and within 20 meters, it popped out again. This thing only has 125 ks on the clock so far and it's already playing up...

Has anyone had this issue with their Ford Ranger / Mazda BT-50?
Does anyone know what could be wrong?

Thanks,

hey mate sorry to inform you but they arent a real crash hot bit of gear hey, have a ranger as a work ute and the thing jumps out of gear all the time i work underground and it jumps out of 4 wheel drive and normal gearbox. my truck has only done 3000km's on it mate done it since new get use to it.

OK, some good news! Apparently the jumping out of gear problem must have been because the car was new and something in the gearbox was not working as it should because it hasn't done it again at all. The dealer was very good about it and would've done everything necessary to fix it, only it's gone away, for good I hope.

Mud_5lut, you must've got a real dud cause before mine, I'd never heard of anything like that happening to these models which is why I chose it over the other brands. Either that or you're really a Toyota dealer...

Cheers to all!

i have just got me a brand new bt-50 cab chass
picked it up with 18km on the clock
if its poping out of gear and your not miss useing it take it back and they shuld have to fix the problem

A few people have had that problem on the 4WD Monthly forums. The BT50's seem to have a few issues, perhaps being made in Thailand might have something to do with it?

All six of the major dual cab utes sold today are made in Thailand. They include the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Holden Rodeo, Nissan Navara and Mazda BT-50.

This said, I haven't had any more problems with mine since I last posted. Apparently, the gearbox issue on 4wdaction has more to do with 5th gear jumping out when towing really heavy loads.

As for my problem, I think it was probably a sticky detent spring that wasn't holding first gear in too well.

OK, so you haven't got much choice in where the 4WD utes are built..... it doesn't mean the other brands don't have issues as well. We've got a 2WD Thai built Hilux dual cab at work and it reminds me of early Hyundai's; it would also easily be the worst new vehicle I've driven.

I know what you mean about the Hilux. I test drove one just after I test drove a Prado. Felt like they were from two different car makers, one Japanese, the other one Chinese...

That's why I drive a BT-50

our company car is a BT-50 and its done 20,000 in three months and I just had the gear box replaced (all under waranty) it kept jumping out of fifth gear it seems to be a common problem as I have heard a few others doing the same thing also the clutch is a sore point as well I have complained about mine but they say its fine. is it just me or when you replace a gearbox, flywheel and pressure plate you would asume they would replace the clutch? it shudders when taking off in first

Apparently they ALL shudder when you take off in first gear or reverse but I don't think it's a clutch problem as they do it even with the clutch all the way out. It's the same as trucks do.

Gidday ,no problems here 24000klms. Going on a trip to Dawin then on to Broome back to Brissy about 15000klms in May . Always had good fuel and no problems at all.






Joe

Can anyone give us an update on the BT50? I've got a 2500 Bravo 4x 4 Diesel that's just parted company with its Gearbox after 150,000 K's. Not sure if I want to go with a Mazda again....

Everything l have seen so far on these vehicles that l have seen in my workshop tells me.........don't own one.
Steve

I have the new pk ranger and so far so good.. Great truck..Will let you know if things go pear shape.

I have 2wd with 90,000kms on it. No probs so far, but never tow anything in 5th gear. I sometimes tow over two ton(earth moving equip)
One issue is service cost at 20,000kms, $1,000bucks, so i voided warranty and did tappets myself (I do all my own sevicing), took me 2 hours, I am interested in the correct valve tollerances as i could not find any info at all, so adjusted the tight valves to suit the majority. NOTE some valves were very tight, and have heard that some dealership mechanics fail to do the valve adjustments. So beware. Mark your cover nuts with white marker to see if they have been taken off for 20,000km service. A lot haven't. And they sting you for it anyway!!!
Any help with the correct tollerances for valves would be much appreciated.

I have 2wd with 90,000kms on it. No probs so far, but never tow anything in 5th gear. I sometimes tow over two ton(earth moving equip)
One issue is service cost at 20,000kms, $1,000bucks, so i voided warranty and did tappets myself (I do all my own sevicing), took me 2 hours, I am interested in the correct valve tollerances as i could not find any info at all, so adjusted the tight valves to suit the majority. NOTE some valves were very tight, and have heard that some dealership mechanics fail to do the valve adjustments. So beware. Mark your cover nuts with white marker to see if they have been taken off for 20,000km service. A lot haven't. And they sting you for it anyway!!!
Any help with the correct tollerances for valves would be much appreciated.

Took my BT50 in for its valve adjustment and was told by Mazda they have reviewed the requirement.
It is now left until 120 000km before valve adjustment is required.
I have done nearly 50 000km with my BT50, a lot of it towing a 2tonne+ caravan. Ample power, great economy and travel at speed limits, was very happy with it until it started jumping out of fifth gear last week. Doesn't do it under load or overun, but when under light load it wont stay in.
Appears Mazda is going to fit a new gearbox.
G

give it time your bt-50 will get worse mate, old boys done the same thing among other problems they have after a few k's on them, bought his brand new, 80000kms on it, nearly everything has been replaced and hes now selling it, ford courier utes exactly the same

My Ford ranger is jumping out of 1st gear going down very steep hills using the engine as a brake. Is also difficult to get into 4th gear. Is going to ford in 2 weeks or a gearbox rebuild and will be gone for 2 weeks. Will give an update when it comes back
Stephen

well handed ranger to ford at Mt Gravat. so see how we go in 2 weeks when I pick it up.
Stephen

Well I got my ranger back on Monday and have had no further issues. Am Happy again
Stephen

I believe that the earlier bt/rangers had a problem with them jumping out o f gear. I believe that they have fixed it.. From talking to some people around my parts they put a lower ratio into 1st

the gears are still the same ratio. They totally rebuilt my box with stronger retaining springs etc. I wish they could make reverse a lower ratio though. Is a useless gear for reversing anything slightly heavy as youj have to slip the clutch. I have installed a isolation switch to alow low range to selected but not engage the front dif. It works very well.
Stephen

july 2014 and the ranger is still running fabulous. Have 110k on the odometer now and happy.