Really? Another Miata thread....

[ScottyB]

The standard 3.55. The heavy duty tow package has 3.73, but don't have that so, oh well.

ah, didn't realize. i thought it might be a 3.27. not super ideal for the appalachians, sure, but the 3.55 is what i would have picked for travelling to tracks on the east coast. just send it bro

Too paranoid?

i kinda think so. put it this way - Ford literally doesn't make cars anymore just so it can devote 90% of its resources just to making the F150 perfect. they have these trucks down to a science. in terms of modern vehicles i think trucks generally can be said to be overbuilt. manufacturers know that some will lead cushy lives, but others will be worked to death and that reputation for being able to handle abuse will make or break them in such a competitive segment. i think of all the torture testing on a platform, trucks get it the worst and are built to handle it accordingly.

as for oil, with the towing you do you're probably fine with your assessment. general consensus from other owners doing used oil analysis is that by 10k miles its not only sheared down to a 20wt, but also highly fuel washed. i'm sure Ford thinks the engine can get away with it but at only 6qts its not expensive to ensure things are kept in check a little early.