1989 Mazda B2200 SE-5 2.2 gas 4 cylinder
Summary:
Good little truck for the money
Faults:
Not a damn thing, It has been a great little truck. It misses once in a great while.
General Comments:
This little truck looks good, and it runs good. And it will get the job done. Perfect for working or playing. For a 2wd, it gets around excellent in the snow. It's like a caterpillar.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 30th May, 2004
20th Jan 2010, 16:25
I own a 1989 B2200 cab plus with 302,500 plus miles, and I have owned it since it came off the showroom floor.
I plan to restore and swap the 2.2 liter engine with a 302 engine from a 1986 Mustang. I am building the engine with new parts, and also making it work with a c-4 engine with overdrive.
The truck has traveled to south Texas, Padre Island Galveston, Louisiana, and at present it is with me in Geneva, Illinois. I bought the truck in Houston.
Email me at trevgil@msn.com for any details or ideas. Two years ago a salesman in Illinois offered me $2000. and I said no.
It is a great truck, and my dream is to restore the truck to mint and rock solid condition. (.302 V8 = more power and fun and enjoyment).
p.s. The truck is fun to drive.
Gilbert E. Trevino.
24th Sep 2009, 12:17
You’re going to ask why so I’ll tell you upfront. I bought a B2200 regular cab from a guy in Florida because my Dad gifted me the last B2200 that I wrecked. I wanted another truck since wrecking it, but here in Ohio the winters kill cars, so finding one was nearly impossible. The truck I purchased was full of mold and wasp nests, so to say the least it’s been an interesting restoration.
I think these trucks are the best value for the money. I bought this truck with the expressed purpose of refurbishing it and possibly gifting back to my father.
So far I’ve replaced all ball joints, all tie rods, pitman and idler arms, 4 tires, the full interior including seats, carpet, door panels and headliner, all interior plastic parts have been cleaned and painted as well as installing a heat shield and sound barriers, fan clutch, oil pump water pump, lifters, automatic transmission actuators, radiator and all hoses etc… The list goes on and on. Fortunately I’ve been able to do all the work myself and saved a ton of money utilizing the Pull-a-Part franchise locations as far away as Louisville, KY (from Cleveland Ohio). I was able to upgrade the interior using parts from a “decked out” B2200 in the junk yard.
I guess this list of replacing “wear” items’ isn’t impressive in itself, unless you add that I drove the truck home 16 hours from South Florida to Northern Ohio in the original purchased condition. The radiator had to be replaced in Charlotte South Carolina; the only road side repair needed outside the two blown tires after arriving home. As it turns out the previous owner, self proclaimed motor head, was a flat out liar, but to get a truck with ZERO rust and bullet proof engine base to work from, I’d paid more than I did.
I’m contemplating a complete engine overhaul, but just may opt for the head and camshaft seals first because it does not use oil. The one thing he did do was use a seal conditioner, so compression is not an issue.
It does stutter but it runs much better after I replaced some vacuum hoses, especially the distributor vacuum hose.
I look forward to many years with this truck (for me and Dad). 117K miles and counting...