Koda's Mazda Build.

[koda6966]

I still haven't gotten around to checking on that. Worst case scenario I cut a corner off a truck at the JY and weld it on.

With me doing 34 hours at work this week, and being a full time college student I barely have enough time to get on here and post about it. Let alone and work on it. I took a few days off starting the 12th so hopefully I can get something done.

 

[koda6966]

Yep, it goes all the way. I'm going to block off the passengers setbelt and spray foam it. That will work until spring, and then I can figure something else out. After a closer inspection I see it needs new leaf springs, the 2nd leaf on the passengers side is snapped, and it's going to put more stress on the others eventually causing them to fail soon. Too bad nobody makes a lift spring for these.. haha.

I decided to get my stereo put into it. I wont be using it for a while but I'd rather have it in when I do decide I want some tunes. I had to take off the panel the old stereo was bolted to, the shifter boot, and the mount for the shifter boot in order to get it off.

SURPISE! Look at that horrid mess of wires. ALWAYS USE THE FACTORY HARNESS, DAMN IT!

In comparison, here's the wiring for the stereo I put in my Ranger.

Putting in a car stereo is one of the simplest things, but people always end up doing it like a fat retard on crack. >.< It's a good thing I'm an electrical controls major. I deal with 100+ wires that are all the same color on a regular basis. I got that mess sorted out in no-time.

I had to cut my harness up for my pioneer stereo that I had, I left enough room on the Ford end to be able to wire up the old stereo into the Ranger. Just enough.

Scary as hell, but it works! This went into the Ranger.

And here's the pioneer mounted up in the Mazda. The cover plate wouldn't fit. Oh well, it's not THAT noticeable.

After that was done, I looked at the front end and decided to do a little work there too. I think somethings missing here?

GASP! Somebody stole my grill and painted over the rust on my bumper!
At least they brought it back, painted.

Before:

After:

I think it looks 100% better, if not more. I still need to pick up some gray paint to help hide the body rust.

That's all for now.

 

[koda6966]

Is it just me or does my alignment look screwy in that last picture? I'm gonna have to check that..

 

[koda6966]

Another thing to add to the spring project list. I have a busted leaf spring, the 2nd one down on the passengers side.

 

[Boggin]

what trans does your mazda have? im almost positive my tcase is on the passengers side of the shifter, unlike yours??

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

yeah man the driver side tire looks a bit funny. deff should check the alignment.

good work so far man.

 

[koda6966]

It's snowing.. time to break out the ol' photoshop.

I'm tempted. I'll have to go out and look at it closer in real life before I put it on.

I also need to add a couple more problems to my list. The truck burns oil, needs a new radiator (patched in 4 spots now), and needs some work to the rear end. It's leaking diff fluid out the axle seal.

 

[koda6966]

I just got stuck. Damn mud, these tires flatspotted on me. I need some MT's..

 

[feellnfroggy]

LOL jsut get you some 35 dollar chains from wally world. Id fix those springs before worryin bout tires.

 

[koda6966]

Chains wont cut it for 1000+ miles per week of winter driving

 

[Kyle M.]

What all did you do in the photo shop, just a topper? I think it looks good, run it!

 

[koda6966]

Yep, just the topper. I threw it on today, it was quite awkward doing it by myself.

 

[koda6966]

The non photoshop version.

It doesn't fit perfect but it's better than nothing. I also painted a few more spots of rust.

And here's that axle.. if you look close you can see the fluid sitting there.

 

[-Nathan-]

sorry man....that topper is killing it for me. Time to get those axle seals done before winter...I just did mine last weekend, nothing but an annoying job. Oh...and I think it would look killer if you fixed the rust and rattle-canned it army green or something.

 

[koda6966]

The cap ruins it for me too, it's ugly and hard to drive at night (tinted) but it will keep the snow out pretty good. The rain, probably not. There's a gap in the front. I wanted a tonnough cover, but I couldn't find one in my price range.