My 96 B2300

[piscespokerbrat]

Hey all, this is my new to me 96 B2300 I picked up last night for $500. The clutch was soft and letting out at the top last night. Today I did a gravity bleed and assistant bleed. Now, the clutch lets out about middle-ish and stalls the engine. I think I am going to have to pull the master cylinder out and burp the system. The previous owner told me the reservoir got low once and wasnt the same since. Anyways, she is a real sweet runner, and the tail pipe is clean. I also have the factory alloys included with the purchase. I am thinking I am going to throw those back on and sell the wagon wheels. I am also planning on selling the bed liner that you can see in the pics. I also got the original owners manual in the deal! In the pics you'll notice the fuse cover off, I have it on the passenger floor.

Questions - What year boxes aside from 93-97 will fit on this frame? Are the Ranger boxes the same? What year rear window will fit that middle piece that is missing? Cluster and HVAC lights are out. The radio lights and dims with the switch's, so I know the fuse is good, I think?? Ideas?

Without further ado... pics!

This first and second is the mass of shit lodged in under the cab that I cleaned out tonight..

The rest is the truck..

 

[piscespokerbrat]

More pics...

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

Nice find man.
AS for the bed, any 93-97 or 97+ bed will fit.
Yes Ranger beds will fit too, but the fender lines wont match

 

[Rose2300]

I'd keep those rims man haha they're sick, especially if you like an off road theme. Interior looks pretty clean too.

93-97 sounds about right for the back window. I'm not 100% sure if anything past 97 works but I am positve any 93-97 extended cab back window would work.

 

[piscespokerbrat]

Thanks for the kudo's and info guys. The interior is fairly clean (albeit a little dusty). The wagon wheels are a 15". The previous owner told me that it dogs out around 70-75. That is why I was thinking of putting the factory 14's back on. This truck runs like a dream and what I call a true diamond in the rough!

On other news, I scored a deal on a 94 Mazda B2300 Extended Cab for $400. The truck is "blowing white smoke." I was told the head gasket is out, but I have seen plugged PCV valves cause engines to blow white smoke. If the head gasket is indeed out, I am going to have AAA tow her home for the parts I need. I was told this thing is straight, I will find out Thursday.

 

[isenegger]

any 93-11 bed and back window will fit

 

[Rose2300]

It's not wheel size that affects speed, it's the diameter of your tires. don't expect to go fast in an extended cab four banger lol. The 2.3L's are known for dependability, not power.
Although maybe it could use a tune up to regain some lost power

 

[red_rider]

Nice truck, I'm partial to the 94-97 Mazdas in terms of looks. The black looks nice too.

Going back to the 14's would help a little with acceleration I'm sure but then again coming from someone who has them, your wheels are definitely cooler looking and allow for more flexible tire sizes to fill out the truck better. With 14's you're kind of in a box. These are fun trucks to drive either way in my opinion, especially with the stick shift, big throw shifter, nice ride height, etc.

 

[piscespokerbrat]

This is a fun and nice truck to drive. I am happy with how she runs, I am hoping the mileage is up there. I just filled the tank the other day and we'll see what happens! I just threw a new air filter in her, and I know for certain she has a new T-Belt and head gasket. I care more about dependability than going fast. I have a 6yo boy, and I care more about keeping him safe than breaking any land speed records. (IF the 2.3 goes, I am already planning a mustang 302 T5 swap tho.. teehee ... shhhhh ;-) )

On other news, I made the 95 mile trip 1-way to the alleged 94 B2300. When I arrived at the guys house, I was greeted by the ass of an 86 B2000... WTF I thought.. I looked him square in the eye and asked him how he thought an 86 was a 94. In any case, I did buy the '86 after a lot of haggling and jewing (new post and pics later). The truck is straight, clean, no rust. The only oddity is its blowing a mosquito net. I am thinking a stuck ring (smells like oil burning). The oil is black, and the radiator is low, but the heater blows hot. The truck has brand new Goodyear Wranglers in a 235/75/15.

I havent fully decided yet what I am going to do with this B2000. I have tires that someone paid $600 for recently, a $500 Leer canopy, and a really nice Alpine deck and speakers. Since I like my 96 more, I will probably sell the 86 to fund 96 parts.

Every time I see a Ranger on the road, I always eyeball the body lines thinking would that match up?? Great truck they are! Once I actually get stuff rolling on the 96, I will keep posting the updates.

 

[piscespokerbrat]

Updates boys and girls!! Over the weekend I pulled the master cylinder and burped the system. I noticed air bubbles coming up through the resevoir, so she did have air in the system! Man what a PIA that was getting that thing in and out! I found out the truck has the old style release collar. That would the one where you have to slide it in, and then tap it in further with a screwdriver, ugh!

I also changed the oil to a Quaker State high mileage 5w-30. She starts so much nicer now and with no valve clatter! Today I started tearing into the dash. I got the dimmer switch pulled, and I bypassed the dimmer by jumping the hot wire to the dash lights. Everything lights up as it should, so I know I need a dimmer switch now. I also did the LED mod for the headlight switch Here are pics...

 

[Shadow Convoy]

Great score. A black king cab is what i want but all i could find was the turquois one I now have. But if I ever find a black 4x4 king cab it's mine!lol Tell me more on the dash lights. Mine quit working last week but all the fuses and climate control bulbs are fine. I put the factory radio back in and the radio lights come on with the headlights just not the dash and climate control lights.