Original owner, 87 B2000. (now with pictures)

Hi. I have my 87 Mazda B2000 that I bought new in Hayward CA. I kept the truck for about 2 years, then passed it on to my Dad. Now I have it back. It's still the original paint, code VG which is the light tan. It has 86000 miles on it. When I bought it, I lowered it, and painted all the black on it body color the first weekend that I had it. I put a Formuling steering wheel on it, in brown to match the interior color. My Dad raised it back up, removed the steering wheel, ( which I still have), and at some point the front bumper was changed back to black, the radio pod has been lost, the seat cover is shot, and the tailgate is thrashed. It spent the rest of it's life when he had it in Oregon, with a few trips back to CA. 2 years ago on the day before Thanksgiving I flew to CA. and drove it and my Dad to Missouri where I live now. He didn't want to stay here, and has since ended up back in CA. The truck stayed here. It hasn't been driven in 2 years. It's in really good shape other than what I mentioned above. I'm not sure what I'll do with it. I really don't need it. I have an 88 V8 S10 lowered with flames that I drive in the summer, and also an 81 Toyota 4X4 that's lifted with 33X12.5X15 tires for the winter. I think I will fix the tailgate, and repaint the bumper body color, put the steering wheel back on it, and slam it again. I've thought about selling it. Then I've thought about selling the S10 and keeping the Mazda. Maybe I'll keep all 3 trucks. Who knows. The original owners manual is in the glove box with my name on it. Dean

good story keep it sounds like its got sentimental value post up some pics!!

No picts yet, but I'll get some soon. I don't even have a picture of it from when I bought it new. Dean

That is great to see you have it back.I would just keep it,and fix it and be glad you have.Low miles,1 owner is a hard find.I have had my 87 since brand new myself and sits,covered and driven some.I bought a new car last yr which took it's place as a daily.24 yrs is long enuff,it deserved a break.Nice story to share.

Welcome aboard Dean. I also bought mine new in 87, drove it last in 95. Cant wait to see pics

Ok, here's some pictures. It's really pretty nice. Small dent in front of the right rear wheel. Paint's thin on the front edge of the hood. The tailgate's screwed. The rear roll pan has a small dent or two. I'm going to paint the front bumper body color, it was body color when I had it, and replace the tailgate. He had full hubcaps off of a 80's something Pontiac on it, so I need to paint the wheels too. I think I'll lower it back down to how it was when I bought it new. The seat is shot, but I found this blanket in the truck, and cut it up to make the seat cover. It works for now. I really don't know what I'll do with the truck. They don't seem to have much value. I've followed a few on ebay, and it looks like $1500.00 is about all the money for a good one. I don't think I'd let it go for $1500.00. I can put historical plates on it here in Missouri, and never have to register it again. Insurance would be dirt cheap too. I have two other trucks now, this makes three. Anyway, here's the pictures of it as it sits right now.







Here's my other two trucks, V8 S10, and a 81 Toyota 4X4



Thanks for looking, Dean

That b looks pretty good.Your dash is def straight and door panel I saw as well.Really with some simple improvements on the out side low cost can add luster.You need a radio bezel or do you have one.keeping it short tired long day workwise.Nice stuff and the old yota is rare to see and see you went mudding.

I'm looking for the radio bezel. When I bought it new I didn't want a radio, and it never had one as long as I had it. I found a stock one after My Dad took it over and put it in for him. I don't know what happened to it.

Well I've been picking up parts for this since I originally posted. I found the correct color seat belt, and bought a new radio pod. Still need a tailgate. I've found that good used parts are hard to get for this thing. I found a tailgate but passed on it, but I think I'll see if it's still available. It's better than mine, but far from perfect. I can fix it though, mine is beyond help.
I worked on it today for awhile. I pulled the rear springs and started to flip the main leaf. I need some all thread to pull them back together. I'll pick that up this week. I removed the tail pipe, and made a turn down pipe that exits right in front of the rear axle. Oh I dismounted 6 tires by hand today, and mounted the 2 that I'm not using back onto the S10 wheels that had the tires I wanted to use. I'm going to run 225/75/14 on the rear, and 195/75/14 on the front. I'm old school and like a forward rake, with big and little tires. I need to paint my wheels, so maybe this coming weekend if the weather holds out. The weather here really sucks! I'm going to build a stainless tube grille also. I made the brackets for that at work yesterday. I'm a tool & die maker, and every once and awhile I work on Saturday to support the production floor. It's pretty slow when I have to do that, so I either sit around for 8 hours, or make "home" projects.
Still not sure what I'll do with this truck, I really don't need it. Maybe I'll sell the S10? I don't need 3 trucks. Who knows what will happen.
I'll probably not have any pictures until I finish it. Dean