Mazda and Ranger bodies

[ckblum]

I just bought a 96 Mazda B3000 tonight, just wondering if the body lines are the same as the Rangers? Other than the headlights and tail lights obviously, I can't find any fiberglass fenders for them so I was thinking of doing the Explorer conversion for 93-97 Rangers if the body lines are the same. Or just running a Ranger front clip instead.

 

[ckblum]

Does someone wanna answer this one? Seriously I've asked a few times now and searched and come up with nothing. I am surprised as it's the only TRS question I've never really had answered.

Here's a link to the only related post I could find with no info in it either http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17290

 

[rangerbum]

I'm Pretty sure that If you go with the fenders for a ranger, you will need to get ranger lights because I believe the mazda fenders are cut with more rounded openings for the headlights. For simplicity I would go with the Ranger front clip. I bet that if you do find a mazda fender kit, it'll cost alot more than a ranger one.

 

[dogboy]

To my knowledge, the body line running below the window is there on both trucks.

I know Explorers don't have this bodyline, and I know Rangers do, but I'm only pretty sure Mazda's do.

Just look and there is an indented line, running the entire lenght of the truck, right below the window.

 

[alaskan155]

the cab back is the same as a 93-97 ranger including the core support, so the 93-97 fenders will bolt on and the lines will match, just match frontend to fenders, worse case you gotta change the radiator support(which i doubt), if you do change the radiator support install a 98+ one and drill 2 holes for body mounts and you can convert your mazda to something like this(98+ ranger)

 

[ckblum]

Sweet thanks guys. I am thinking of doing fiberglass fenders but the only guy who has them said he doesnt have them which is kinda weird cause theyre listed on his site. So I may consider a ranger conversion or maybe a fiberglass exploder conversion.

 

[rangerbum]

Hy, just wanted to mention, I was at a wrecking yard today, had a ranger and a mazda (both 94s) side by side, Fenders are virtually the same other than the badges. The mazdas just have a fully wrapped trim piece around the lights that fill in the gaps. So yes they should be interchangeable without changing lights.

 

[ckblum]

Really? That's good to know. I could just use Ranger fiberglass flares and they should fit around the lights perfect then.

EDIT: Actually I just googled it and the lights are completely different and they wouldn't fit, oh well I was more concerned with the lines if I switched front ends.

 

[Mutant Pony]

As you can see in the above picture, the fenders are completely different in the headlight area.
I put a '97 Mazda cab on a '94 Ranger chassis, the firewall was completly different. I ended up using the Ranger firewall on the mazda cab. Every piece of the front end is different but, The body lines do match. The front clip from the Ranger bolted on the Mazda cab. You now can't tell the cab was ever changed.