- Joined
- Nov 16, 2016
- Messages
- 1
- Points
- 501
- Vehicle Year
- 2000
- Transmission
- Automatic
Hi there,
So after an unsuccessful attempt 2 years ago at a reliable beater when "Project Exploder" took a turn for the worst as the leaf spring mounts tore out of the rusted frame and the head gasket puked almost immediately after putting in all new gaskets from the lower intake manifold up... I have been working semi-secretly on "Project Razda." She's a 2000 Mazda B3000 with 73,000 original miles which made for a great starter platform, but EVERYTHING was original; including serpentine belt... For a truck that's spent 17 years in Northern Michigan it is in surprisingly good shape. The exhaust had rotted off when I got it, so I constructed a mini 2.5" cat-back that dumps at the rear axle. Full tune up, all new fluids, KYB Gas-a-just struts, entire suspension from the lower control arms up rebuilt with new ball-joints, tie-rods, controls arms and bushings. Front end converted to live-axle to remove the horrible Pulse vacuum hub 4x4 system. And to finish it off, 31x10.5R15 BFG All-Terrain K02's for some off road and snow fun. The rest is mostly cosmetic, but I'm extremely happy with the turnout. Three weeks of late nights and early mornings to get here. Still some cosmetic things to be done over time, but she'll be a blast as is for this winter! Braap!
Day I picked it up:
After a good clean up:
How she sits right now:
So after an unsuccessful attempt 2 years ago at a reliable beater when "Project Exploder" took a turn for the worst as the leaf spring mounts tore out of the rusted frame and the head gasket puked almost immediately after putting in all new gaskets from the lower intake manifold up... I have been working semi-secretly on "Project Razda." She's a 2000 Mazda B3000 with 73,000 original miles which made for a great starter platform, but EVERYTHING was original; including serpentine belt... For a truck that's spent 17 years in Northern Michigan it is in surprisingly good shape. The exhaust had rotted off when I got it, so I constructed a mini 2.5" cat-back that dumps at the rear axle. Full tune up, all new fluids, KYB Gas-a-just struts, entire suspension from the lower control arms up rebuilt with new ball-joints, tie-rods, controls arms and bushings. Front end converted to live-axle to remove the horrible Pulse vacuum hub 4x4 system. And to finish it off, 31x10.5R15 BFG All-Terrain K02's for some off road and snow fun. The rest is mostly cosmetic, but I'm extremely happy with the turnout. Three weeks of late nights and early mornings to get here. Still some cosmetic things to be done over time, but she'll be a blast as is for this winter! Braap!
Day I picked it up:
After a good clean up:
How she sits right now:
