Project 4x4 Commuter Mazda

[88_Eddie]

there's gotta be a way to mod the TJM to make it fit

 

[Sampson]

You could convert to a Mazda grill and headlights, 98 and up like mine. Its straight across on the bottom. Like the new color.

 

[kris97ranger]

Yup id convert back to the mazda front end and keep the bumper

 

[legoms013]

I vote sell and build a badass toob one

^This is what im leaning towards

there's gotta be a way to mod the TJM to make it fit

Im still thinking on it...might cut off the welds and lower the mounts and see what kind of gappage I end up with

You could convert to a Mazda grill and headlights, 98 and up like mine. Its straight across on the bottom. Like the new color.

Yup id convert back to the mazda front end and keep the bumper

No go Mazda days are over its a Ranger now

 

[Sampson]

You need a mix of mazda and ranger lol.

 

[legoms013]

You need a mix of mazda and ranger lol.

the mazda tail gate isnt enough lol

I also found out that because the core support moved forward 1-2" in 1998+ cabs, the mazda fan wouldn't work well. It was hardly even in the fan shroud when I mocked up the radiator mounts and shroud.

My mazda fan measured 1.75" deep and the ranger fan is 2.5".

Easy fix....use the newer fan and space the radiator back about 1/2" with the brackets that have to be made anyway lol and problem solved. Not it is mostly in the shroud.

I want to do a sticky threadd when this is all said and done...

 

[Sampson]

NO lol. I do like the color combo the tan body and black wheels. Just like mine lol.

 

[legoms013]

NO lol. I do like the color combo the tan body and black wheels. Just like mine lol.

Me too its growing on me. I didn't like it at first but soon as I plopped the cab on my mazda frame I was like damn this is gonna be sick

Plus im gonna paint the fender flares black, and monsterline the rocker panels black just like the old one...and 06+ style sqaure mirrors, gonna be sick.

Still thinking about the front end tho...can't decide on if I want to stay with 2000 front end or switch to the 2001+ lights/grille

 

[4.0B2]

01+

 

[legoms013]

01+

Honeycomb grille, and blacked out headlights/ambers. Thats what im thinking

 

[legoms013]

New passenger mirror:

Passenger bodymount:

Driver's Side bodymount:

Hoping to swap the dashes and turn the key over this weekend. I;m making this way harder than it needs to be but I want the beige dash with the mazda computer harness/wring...if I was lazy and thought I'd change the entire interior to grey I'd just stick the grey dash in and go...So I gotta swap all the wiring over while the dashes are side-by-side.

Things I have planned right off the bat are vinyl flooring from LMC truck and painting the chrome grill black (even tho I'm not keeping it).

 

[legoms013]

Vinyl flooring on its way from LMC. Couldn't find any stock vinyl in the yards around me unfortunately...

Also I've come up with a plan to modify my bumper to work with the '98+ grills...hopefully it implements well. Im not ready to rid my self of the zombie plow just yet.

 

[legoms013]

Got it running this weekend. Fired right up. Still have lots to do but I have transportation once again. And a whole truck worth of extra parts

Stripped the dash out:

Had to modify the 2000 HVAC blend box servo mount:

Getting ready to swap dash harnesses:

Beige dash stripped:

Grey dash stripped:

Beige dash equipped with Mazda dash harness and installed successfully:

Hole cut for frame harness:

Proof that it runs:

 

[Beef52751]

The only proof I see is that you need gas lol. Jk
Nice work though. Its coming along great

 

[legoms013]

Anybody got any ideas why my speedometer flutters after 40mph and fluctuates about 10mph +/- at highway speeds? Also the tranny bucks when it does this like the torque convert is locking in and out.....sounds like a bad ground ato the GEM or ABS module and I'll check all those tonight.

Around town driving works fine....all speedo and tach movement is fine at anything less than 40mph or so.

Thats really the only quirk...sucker drives just like it did 6 weeks ago

Project cab swap. SUCCESS! I'm down for a motor swap now!!! Just kidding