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General Discussion \ New to the forum, looking forward to fixing up my B-series!New to the forum, looking forward to fixing up my B-series!
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following 5
z.a.v.
+1y
Hello, I am the owner of a (new to me) 1994 Mazda B3000, 3L. V6. 4x4. The Mazda B-series truck holds many years of happy memories from my childhood on through to my early 20's. I'm 36 now, and have recently aquired this truck. I have plans to restore/upgrade it into an awesome little offroad vehicle that has ability to represent Mazda B-series as a respected 4x4 within my circle of naysaying offroading buddies. I want to make smart changes that will greatly prepare it for offroad/trailblazing, and be confident in those choices. I lack experience, know-how, I must approach each step in the right order to avoid (hindsight realizations, regrets). I have 2 years-ish to work on this truck before it needs to be complete. I will appreciate advice, input, suggestions.
z.a.v.
+1y
@ mymmeryloss and Baha, Thanks! . I'm actually adding a bunch of pics to an album.
This truck has had 11 previous owners, It needs a bit of a rewrite. I have wanted to own a Mazda B for quite some time. I am in the process of getting my drivers license re-instated. My license was medically suspended 12 years ago due to epilepsy. I have been symptom/seizure free for 10 years. So, I have a barrage of medical "hoops" to jump in the near future. Then when I am deemed medically fit I must re-obtain my license and begin as a new driver. This means that I will not be able to drive it without another licensed driver with me for 1 year. So, I'm guessing that'll give me about 2 years to complete.
The frame is in pretty good shape, the engine runs fairly smooth. I just changed the sparkplugs, 5 of the 6 plugs had only half the ceramic remaining, all the gaps were different, they were severely blackened and oily. I spent over an hour cleaning the gunk out of the spark plug cavities before the sockets would fit over the plugs. I replaced all 6 with new Bosch Iridium plugs, The difference is unbelievable. It went from sounding like an old John Deere missing on 1 cylinder to purring beautifully. The idle maintains 700rpm with little fluxuation now.
The Exhaust manifold gaskets are blown on both sides, leaking exhaust under the hood, on the passenger side, one of the bolts on the exhaust manifold has been sheared off, with none of the bolt sticking out. This is something that is beyond my abilities. I've been told that if I'm gonna have it fixed at a garage, I should also get the head gaskets done at the same time. I purchased a new compression tester and will be checking the compression in the next few days.
The leaf springs need replacing (driver side is broken) 3 of the 4 leaf spring shackles need replacing. All 4 shocks and bushings need to be replaced. Gas tank straps (I have a new one). Rotors/pads, drums/shoes, all brake hardware. I want to change the Tie rod ends for greasable ones. Ball Joints, U joint. There will likely be more, I'll update as things are discovered.
I'd like to lift the truck 5.5" - 6" to accommodate 32" tires, not fat/mudders. I'm thinking narrow and tall nubbies with beadlock (military style). I'd like to build a custom rooftop/boxtop roofrack, brush/pushbumper/winch, rear bumper snubbed to allow high/close rear clearance. lusterless olive drab paint, with flat black accents. I'd like an onboard compressor/tank, debating air suspension, but there WILL be a train horn eventually. Steering stabilizer, custom metalcraft (4 - 6" spotlights) lightbar on roofrack, L.E.D. Lightbar inset into front bumper, valance package with 5 lights. Step up bars, pole mounted side by side upright spare tire holder center of the box above the rear tires, for functionality, extra weight on the back, and cause if it's done right, it could also look pretty cool.
If it mounts up alright I'd like to swap the engine for a 4.3L. Vortec V-6, this would likely require also swapping the transmission, not sure. I'm considering LOKKA automatic diff lockers, headers, and dual electric fans 2,650 C.F.M. (pusher). with controller. Eventually a snorkel kit, I'm also trying to pick parts that aim to be quiet/silent/muffled.
Blacked out, Quiet, and Cammed up, with the ability of becoming highly visible and incredibly loud in a snap
I selected the username Z.A.V. Which is an abbreviate for (Zombie Apocalypse Vehicle). Which is exactly what I hope to create.
This truck has had 11 previous owners, It needs a bit of a rewrite. I have wanted to own a Mazda B for quite some time. I am in the process of getting my drivers license re-instated. My license was medically suspended 12 years ago due to epilepsy. I have been symptom/seizure free for 10 years. So, I have a barrage of medical "hoops" to jump in the near future. Then when I am deemed medically fit I must re-obtain my license and begin as a new driver. This means that I will not be able to drive it without another licensed driver with me for 1 year. So, I'm guessing that'll give me about 2 years to complete.
The frame is in pretty good shape, the engine runs fairly smooth. I just changed the sparkplugs, 5 of the 6 plugs had only half the ceramic remaining, all the gaps were different, they were severely blackened and oily. I spent over an hour cleaning the gunk out of the spark plug cavities before the sockets would fit over the plugs. I replaced all 6 with new Bosch Iridium plugs, The difference is unbelievable. It went from sounding like an old John Deere missing on 1 cylinder to purring beautifully. The idle maintains 700rpm with little fluxuation now.
The Exhaust manifold gaskets are blown on both sides, leaking exhaust under the hood, on the passenger side, one of the bolts on the exhaust manifold has been sheared off, with none of the bolt sticking out. This is something that is beyond my abilities. I've been told that if I'm gonna have it fixed at a garage, I should also get the head gaskets done at the same time. I purchased a new compression tester and will be checking the compression in the next few days.
The leaf springs need replacing (driver side is broken) 3 of the 4 leaf spring shackles need replacing. All 4 shocks and bushings need to be replaced. Gas tank straps (I have a new one). Rotors/pads, drums/shoes, all brake hardware. I want to change the Tie rod ends for greasable ones. Ball Joints, U joint. There will likely be more, I'll update as things are discovered.
I'd like to lift the truck 5.5" - 6" to accommodate 32" tires, not fat/mudders. I'm thinking narrow and tall nubbies with beadlock (military style). I'd like to build a custom rooftop/boxtop roofrack, brush/pushbumper/winch, rear bumper snubbed to allow high/close rear clearance. lusterless olive drab paint, with flat black accents. I'd like an onboard compressor/tank, debating air suspension, but there WILL be a train horn eventually. Steering stabilizer, custom metalcraft (4 - 6" spotlights) lightbar on roofrack, L.E.D. Lightbar inset into front bumper, valance package with 5 lights. Step up bars, pole mounted side by side upright spare tire holder center of the box above the rear tires, for functionality, extra weight on the back, and cause if it's done right, it could also look pretty cool.
If it mounts up alright I'd like to swap the engine for a 4.3L. Vortec V-6, this would likely require also swapping the transmission, not sure. I'm considering LOKKA automatic diff lockers, headers, and dual electric fans 2,650 C.F.M. (pusher). with controller. Eventually a snorkel kit, I'm also trying to pick parts that aim to be quiet/silent/muffled.
Blacked out, Quiet, and Cammed up, with the ability of becoming highly visible and incredibly loud in a snap
I selected the username Z.A.V. Which is an abbreviate for (Zombie Apocalypse Vehicle). Which is exactly what I hope to create.
Post was last edited on Aug 12, 2014 07:08. This post has been edited 2
times.
democedes
+1y
Great looking Mazda, as for offroading it here are a couple of suggestions:
1. Instead of getting steps on the side, get a proper rock rail with step built in, this will help protect your body from a lot of possible damage on the trails
2. Look into a front end swap to a solid axle, especially if you are going to be doing a power boost. The TTB front end is great, but you can gain a lot more movement with the Solid and a lot more strength.
These are very capable little trucks and look forward to the build pics, should be a beast when done
1. Instead of getting steps on the side, get a proper rock rail with step built in, this will help protect your body from a lot of possible damage on the trails
2. Look into a front end swap to a solid axle, especially if you are going to be doing a power boost. The TTB front end is great, but you can gain a lot more movement with the Solid and a lot more strength.
These are very capable little trucks and look forward to the build pics, should be a beast when done
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