Need a bit of input...

[Mark_88]

So, my 2.3 is smoking...and looks like I need to rebuild...need an alternative truck...been looking the last couple of days...

Need input on this vehicle..

1997 Mazda B4000...

322,000 Km on the clock...

body is in not bad shape...a bit of obvious rust...firewall is good...

Spoke with the owner today...he's offering it for $400 as is...

Engine started right up...runs smooth...

Recently replaced alternator, brakes, tires are in good shape...did not get to look too much under the vehicle because it is on 14" rims and tires...looked at the front coil bucket on the drivers side...seems to be intact...need to have a better look though...

Only problem I could see/feel was the clutch pedal seemed extremely low pressure...the truck was grinding going into reverse (owner says he has to shut the truck off to put it in reverse)...could not get it into first gear in the short time I was sitting in the drivers seat...

checked the clutch reservoir and it was topped up...could not see the master due to the brake booster being in the way...

So...if anyone has any input as to what I should watch for/look for...or if this is not a good idea...I know the mileage is high...but my Ranger has over 400,000 kms (transmission does) and various and assorted parts have been replaced...

I can do most of the work myself as needed but my real concern is the 4.0 motor...whether it is going to last until I can get my 2.3 rebuilt and back on the road...or whether swapping the 4.0 into my Ranger would be a more viable option...or whatever...

 

[Insanejughead]

You know that everyone on here is willing to stretch themselves out to help you, man.

You shouldn't've mentioned swapping the 4.0 into your ranger. You'll never hear the end of people saying, "Yes, go for it! You should've done that years ago." Hahaha!


I'm thinking that the clutch master cylinder may need to be rebuilt or changed. I would say, either it's the master or the slave.

Also, check the transmission from underneath. Does it have the plastic shift rail plugs? Is the transmission low on fluid?

 

[Mark_88]

Yeah, I think that would be construed as a swap...lol

The current owner said the clutch has been the same since he owned it...and he drove it for two years...I don't really believe him...shifty eyes and all that...he also said the clutch may have been changed...but didn't know...

 

[shane96ranger]

It sounds like you're wanting to go from something that needs work into something that needs work. Unless you're upgrading, I'd stick with what you've got.

REBUILD IT BABY!!

 

[Mark_88]

that's exactly what I'm trying to avoid...I am going to rebuild the 2.3...problem is I need something to tide me over...unless I cut out the floor boards and Flintstone it while the motor is rebuilt...

 

[shane96ranger]

If it's just a temporary rig, it may not be a bad thing. Just don't use it for space travel like your current Ranger. As far as longevity, that 4.0 is hard to beat.

Look at the radiator support before you buy it. If it's rusted elsewhere, the core should be looked at IMO.

 

[Mark_88]

that's the kind of info I'm looking for...what to look for...but the current owner wants to sell it and let me find things out on my own...if you know what I mean...i know the front brake lines looked very rusty...not a big job but not one I want to take on right away...and there was wet on the lines just below the firewall...which was covered in oil...he said the power steering pump blew a line...but the whole firewall was coated...like it was intentional...

 

[Mark_88]

Went to have a closer look...not good...but fixable...

The rear passenger side spring is toast...front coils look good...box is good...cab is OK...rad mount is rusted but fixable...

I was thinking of just swapping everything over to my frame...uses the same tranny mount...but maybe not exact position...

And the slave cylinder may need to be replaced...but I can't tell what is causing the grinding...could just need the master bled...

$400 is too much in my mind for something that needs maybe another $600 work plus safety...plus emissions...plus has 322,000 km on the clock...

Cheaper to just buy another head and move on with what I've got...

Thanks for the input...

 

[Brownie Mobile]

Absolutely every Mazda pickup i've seen on craigslist or in the classifieds smokes, my oppinion is dont get it because youll have the same problem.

 

[Lucifer sam]

Absolutely every Mazda pickup i've seen on craigslist or in the classifieds smokes, my oppinion is dont get it because youll have the same problem.

its a ford with a mazda badge.....mazda has nothing to do with it.

I dont know man,
1. the motor needs a rebuild
2. the body sounds like its shot
3. it needs some work done on the clutch
unless you get it for under 100 bucks it has no redeeming qualities.

 

[Rose2300]

Absolutely every Mazda pickup i've seen on craigslist or in the classifieds smokes, my oppinion is dont get it because youll have the same problem.

then you are saying absolutely every ranger you've seen on craigslist smokes?
interesting....

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

its a ford with a mazda badge.....mazda has nothing to do with it.

Mazda is a cheaper truck and may get promoted to beater status quicker than a Ranger. Most Mazdas I see are a lot more beat down looking than a comparable Ranger, very rarely do I see one that actually looks like the owner cares anything about it at all.

There could be some logic to it.

 

[Mark_88]

Well, thanks again for the input...I've decided to pass on it...when I told the owner the spring was shot he turned his back and mumbled something about dinner...meaning he probably knew and was hoping someone will just buy it...but he is a musician...if that means anything...

Good news is...I asked a friend who scraps cars if he could keep his eyes open for a motor...well, he found a whole truck that is supposedly in better shape than mine...if that's possible...

Going to have a look see tomorrow...it's a 2wd 2.3 Ext cab that was only driven in Florida by a little old lady with good vision and light feet...but will update after I see it...

I hope it's blue I hope it's blue I hope it's blue...

 

[shane96ranger]

but he is a musician...if that means anything...

So is TeddyZee =)

 

[upnsmoke]

Good luck tomorrow Mark. You just never know what you are getting when you buy someone else's vehicle, especially if they are, or think they are a mechanic. I originally bought my 88 for $600, only because the seller thought the clutch slave cylinder needed to be replaced. Needless to say he was surprised as I drove away shifting through the gears without issue. I thought I had gotten a great deal, until after driving several hundred miles, I removed the valve cover to find one new rocker, one new hydraulic lifter, an intake valve with a severely peened over end on it, and a very ugly camshaft. The guy I bought the truck from probably never knew he had been driving it that way, and had he not mistaken the brake master cylinder for the clutch master cylinder, he probably would have been selling the truck with a blown up motor. As it were, I drove the truck quite a while without ever attending to the clutch, after fixing the motor that is. Anyway, hopefully you get a truck that hasn't been monkeyed with too bad.