Comments: 1-15, 16-21
Replaced the starter shortly after I got the truck.
Engine rebuilt at 171000 miles due to improperly torqued end cap on #4 cylinder.
Sending unit for temperature guage went bad at 173000 miles.
Carburetor replaced at 174000 miles.
Just replaced brake booster and clutch master cylinder (Why didn't Mazda use the same brake booster for 2wd and 4wd B-series trucks?)
I've never gotten stuck and I've put this truck through some muck.
I really didn't like the automatic choke on the factory Mikuni carbeurator. On cool mornings the truck would idle at 2500 rpm!
When I replaced the carburetor I made an adapter plate and installed a Rochester (GM) 1 bbl. carburetor rather than getting another 2bbl. Mikuni.
This is an excellent truck at 60mph and below. It doesn't particularly like high speeds such as those on the interstate.
For a sub-150hp 4 cylinder it is very torquey. I am pulling 32 inch mud tires with relative ease.
It is usually hard to find parts for and the parts tend to be expensive.
It tends to ride a little rough on the road because it has very stiff suspension.
It's a great little all-around truck.
Hey Man, I also am a fairly satisfied 87 B2600 owner. I had major troubles with my carb (factory), at only 110K. It was idling high all the time (not just on cold mornings) until it would warm up. So I had my local garage, who are reputable for good work rebuild my good 'ol factory carb. $400 later, and 3 trips back for adjustments, which each last the better of a day, one time two days it is still sputtering when I start out in 1st, and sometimes when I gas on it after I shift. I can only run 65mph with 235/75R15 AT's. Does your Rochester perform a little better than what I just described. I'm almost convinced it does it you are luggin around 32" MT's, but wanted to check still. How much, and where could I get set up with a Rochester, and where can I find additional info about their lineup. I might as well put a new one on eh??? You can contact me at daryl_cauffman@charter.net that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I also have on of these great 1987 Mazasubitzi's B2600 truck. It spits, it sputters, and blows flames out the exhaust sometimes. Its had carb work, emissions control valves, and air cleaner replaced. This carburetor setup is just terrible with water run back through it to make the choke work. Great design say. It only has a little over 80,000 miles on it and has been trouble since 30,000. I've put a CV joint a half shaft that took forever to find without paying $475.00 from the factory for. New clutch, brakes, plugs, wires, and exhaust in past. I don't 4 wheel with it just highway. These are lemons on wheels with this great setup. I have carter one barrel I had thought about putting on it, but there so many vaccum hoses and mess under there I wasn't sure what to unplug and not. I would appreciate any info. Contact KP at Dperry6932@bellsouth.net.
I too have one of these trucks. Mine had the head warp after the gasket blew... now it sports a new head, pacesetter header and Weber 2bbl carb. I'm wondering a couple things though. One of my hubs is OOC and I can't find replacements anywhere. Also, did you need to do a body lift or anything to fit 32s?
I have one of the b2600 4x4s. but I can't get the carb's choke to get fixed, yesterday I tore into it and pulled every vacuum hose off of it except the advance timing and took all the extra exhaust stuff off and plugged the holes and I now have more power and a quieter ride. how did you get a carter on their because I have been thinking about that for a while since choke rebuild kits are no longer available for it. what did it cost you to replace that carb. I'm running 30 by 9.5 a/ts and I can do anything within reason. I put two inches on it and it looks like I could run at least 31's if I wanted to. Matt at simmons56_51@hotmail.com.
Hey I have a 87 b2600 and I have 33's and runs fine spudders, and iddiels really high do to choke, but outher wise is and awsome truck I have NEVER got stuck even in 3ft mud and no lift of any sort. well that is the only reason I don't like these trucks is because you can't buy lifts sept for body and block lifts and cranking the torsion bars. I just hate the vacume lines.. what are all those hoses for??
I too recently became the owner of a 1987 B2600 4x4. Everything seems OK so far with the exception of some carb troubles. Cold starts are fine and it runs well once started. The problem is hot starts. This thing floods like crazy every time I attempt to start it after it has sat for only a few minutes. Sometimes I have to crank for up to 30 seconds with the pedal on the floor to get it to start. I think the float level is set high, but I am uncertain how to do the adjustment. The carb on this thing just scares me. I'm starting to think I may have made a mistake buying this truck.
I do lots of year round back-country fishing and thought this would be the ideal truck for me. I had hoped for good fuel economy with the four cylinder, but so far it gets about the same mileage as my 351 ford. I'm hoping this will improve once I can figure out how to lower the float level...
If anyone has any suggestions I'm all ears. I can be reached at tburk@sprint.ca.
Trevor.
Hi miles name is mike I bought a 87 B2600 for $900 and I also have the carb trouble about that can anyone tell me how to do the carb swop. I love my little truck, but its just so much of a haed ache.
I saw that someone was asking about tires on the truck well I'm running 33s with no lift at all.
If anyone cane tell me about the carb I can be reached at mk_dillard@yahoo.com.
Thanks for your time MIKE.
In regards to the Mikuni carb problems here is something to look at: there is a vacuum apparatus bolted to the left side of the intake manifold underneath the carb; this is connected via metal tubing and a small RUBBER HOSE to a diaphragm type gizmo which sits in front of the carb (it has some coloured arrows on it with numbers 1,2 and 3). The hose on mine had been broken for years probably, meaning the engine was sucking air from below the carb and upsetting all the other systems. To get to the point, get a mirror and a flashlight and check this hose before you start taking off the carb. Dennis.
I picked my '87 B2600 up about seven years ago. I rebuilt the Mikuni. Then rebuilt it again. THEN, the upper catalytic converter, the one in the cast iron housing just off the exhaust side of the head, plugged shut, warped the head, and seized the motor. Okay, so I found a used Dodge Ram with a 2.6 Mitsubishi in it for a lot less than a scrapyard motor, and put it in. First thing with it was the timing chain went, so in went a new assembly. Next thing up was the bolt that secures the sprocket to the oil pump backed out, put a hole through the timing cover, and the shavings clogged the pickup shut and seized the motor...
I used the two motors to make one good one, put it in, and it seized on I-15 at 75 mph after a couple of months driving.
I parked the thing, and it sure looks good sitting in the backyard. Gives me great mileage now, too!
I'm thinking of using the cab and bed and putting them on my rusted out Suburban.
Overall, the worst $2500 I ever spent on a vehicle!
I have recently found out that mazda b2600's make great lawn ordimants cause that's basiclly all there good for. since there heads like to crack, carbs are garbage and there are so many cats to worrie about. since I have already gone through "4" diffs. and cracked the head on mine I just threw the thing away!
I have a87 b2600 4x4 took a carb off of a1.5 mitsubishi engine and bolted it to my 2.6 with no mods and no problems truck ran like anew motor installed and was able to pull my buddys full size ford cabandahalf p/u with a 460 in it up asteep hill to his place had to shift to 2nd to get up the hill, but pulled it no problems got great fuel mileage and I disconected the computer that came with it.
I just installed a Weber in my '87 B2600 4WD and tossed the Mikuni and all associated vacuum/electrical connections. Runs a whole lot better, but now I would like to install a header and re-do the whole exhaust system. Does anyone know who makes a header for this truck and where I could find one? Thanks for any help.
I just picked up an 87 b2600 and it needs a new exhaust and I was wondering if anyone knew a way to do that with just one cat, and still pass california smog test. if anyone tell me that would be great you can contact me at marlattusmc@gmail.com.
I have an 88 B2600 and had no end of problems with that abomination Mikuni carburetor. Finally bought a Weber and stripped off all the pollution control stuff (as I recall; about 50 feet of vacuum hoses and 40 pounds of canisters etc). Slightly better gas mileage, but VASTLY improved performance! I can even see the engine now.
Dennis in Saskatchewan.
I have heard you can find an exhaust manifold for a Dodge D50. That eliminates the first converter in the original exhaust manifold and leaves the one in the exhaust system. It has more of a header design and flows better. You can also keep the stock manifold and remove the converter in the manifold. It is about the size of a hockey puck and you need to be careful when you unbolt the manifold that you do not break any studs. Use a lot of thread-lube or penetrant prior to removing the exhaust parts Since your exhaust needs to be replaced, go with larger tubing and a low restriction converter. I am looking into a V6 conversion for my Mazda 1987 B2600 4x4 pickup. I hope to use a Ford V6 out of a Ranger pickup, since Mazda transmissions were used in some Ford vehicles. This would be a fuel injected engine and eleminate the pesky carb and head problems.