1994 Mazda B4000 4x4 6 cyl opinions

[cosmiccharlie]

It looks like not a lot of people here have these trucks. Anyone have any knowledge of them, good or bad? What are their strengths and weaknesses? How is the aftermarket support? Will most Ranger aftermarket parts fit?

 

[bronconut]

Yup Ford Ranger with different sheet metal hung on them, so most of the goodies will fit. The auto transmissions and auto hubs were marginal/junk but other than that a good small truck.

 

[ExplorerExplorer]

Get one with manual transmission, manual t-case, and manual hubs (all these can be easily swapped in) and you have a very reliable truck...

 

[cosmiccharlie]

Get one with manual transmission, manual t-case, and manual hubs (all these can be easily swapped in) and you have a very reliable truck...

Thanks for the replies. I am looking at one with an auto tranny and auto hubs. Are the manual hubs the old style (get out of the truck, lock hubs, get back in) or are they locked with a shifter from inside the cabin? What is the approximate cost of swapping to manual hubs?

 

[BKCowGod]

Thanks for the replies. I am looking at one with an auto tranny and auto hubs. Are the manual hubs the old style (get out of the truck, lock hubs, get back in) or are they locked with a shifter from inside the cabin? What is the approximate cost of swapping to manual hubs?

Auto hubs are not really a big deal - if they ever do go bad on you just swap to the Warns for $150 and an hour of your time. The manuals are the kind you have to twist yourself - only kind of manual hub there is.

 

[inked33]

do yourself a favor and swap the auto hubs out for some warn manuals before you go off-road. and yes with the manual hubs you have to get out and lock/unlock them from the outside.

 

[cosmiccharlie]

do yourself a favor and swap the auto hubs out for some warn manuals before you go off-road.

I don't do a lot of heavy off roading. I would mainly be using the truck for camping and maybe 2 trail rides a year.

and yes with the manual hubs you have to get out and lock/unlock them from the outside.

That has already been established. I have no experience with these trucks, just making sure I was on the right page.

I have a D2 now with 127k and I love the truck. I am weighing my options on keeping the D2 or buying a different truck that is cheaper to maintain, cheaper to operate but will still do the job I need it to do. I am not too worried about the D2 reliability now that I have fixed all of the typical D2 failures (I think). But daily driving the D2 is expensive (premium gas and 10 mpg) and parts that do need to be replaced can be expensive. Id rather spend my money camping and traveling.

 

[BKCowGod]

I have the Camping Beast 12mpg Jeep that I absolutely love for its point and shoot go-anywhere-ness. But more and more I am realizing that the little Nissan XCab with auto hubs and an open rear diff can get me just about anywhere I would want to camp in this and the neighboring states. I may never run the Rubicon in it, but it is a lot easier to drive and 24mpg is no laughing matter.

I say get yourself a B-Series/Ranger like the one you are looking at and enjoy it. Nothing wrong with the auto tranny as long as you take care of it, and there is a pretty solid aftermarket if you want the mild lift/bigger tires/etc.

 

[ExplorerExplorer]

If you're really serious about the auto (which I advise against), you might wanna pick up and extra tranny cooler (or two), the A4LD is not know to be the most reliable transmission... Manual hubs are no big deal, just leave them locked all the time and you don't have to worry about getting in and out... I would highly advise trying to find a manual t-case (pull a stick in the cab) as the electric motors on the auto cases go out if unused...

 

[cosmiccharlie]

So which model years came with a manual transfer case?

Can the auto cases be changed to manual by removing the electric motors and adding a manual linkage?