Frame Swap for 1984 Mazda B2000 project -- What might work?

[lonelyshark]

Hi there -- so I've got a 1984 Mazda B2000 with only about 30k on it. It's in truly incredible condition inside and out...... except for the frame, which is rotted badly.

I'm wanting to find a vehicle with a decent frame and tackle the frame swap as a project. But to start, I could really use advice on what vehicles should have the same/compatible frames so I can start keeping an eye out for a good candidate.

Would a Ranger from around that time do the trick? Someone near me happens to be selling an '85 Ranger with a solid frame right now. Good option or no? The workshop manual for the '84 B2000 lists the wheel base as 2715mm and the length at 4445mm (it's a standard body not a long body).

I'd love to make this little truck road-worthy again. Any one got ideas?

 

[Dirtman]

Ranger and B series are the same truck. Any frame of the same type (2wd and 4wd are different as are different cab configurations and bed length) from 1984-1985 would work. (Later years may be the same as well but I think they got slightly bigger in 86)

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Ranger and b-series are the same truck within certain years. I got burnt on that but cant remember exactly what year b-series i had. Iirc it was 1987.
*ended up selling it for double what i paid...

 

[lonelyshark]

Dang that's a cool build! And yeah, I'm not sure what years the B2000 was a rebadged Ford Courier and what years it was a Ranger (if I've got that right?) When you say you got burnt, how much of a difference was there in terms of the frames?

 

[lonelyshark]

Here’s a pic of how it looks today.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Dang that's a cool build! And yeah, I'm not sure what years the B2000 was a rebadged Ford Courier and what years it was a Ranger (if I've got that right?) When you say you got burnt, how much of a difference was there in terms of the frames?

Totally different frames. SLA vs TTB. Six stud wheels. Nothing swaps.
I "think" 1990 to 97 were the years that Ford and Mazda were the same.

 

[lonelyshark]

Thanks much for the warning!

 

[89Twincharge]

That year b is not same as ranger.... I still want one though

 

[Colin]

Totally different frames. SLA vs TTB. Six stud wheels. Nothing swaps.
I "think" 1990 to 97 were the years that Ford and Mazda were the same.

1994-2011 are rebadged Rangers.
Op yoru best bet is either a full custom frame, or some sort of hot rod chassis kit.
You might be able to adapt a regular ranger frame but you'd probably have to move most of the mounting points/crossmembers. Potentially shorten/lengthen certain sections

 

[Uncle Gump]

I would probably get the specs for a standard cab short bed Ranger... I'm thinking they have to be pretty close. Those specs should be in the Tech Library. Alter it a bit if you have to. Then build mounts to set the body on the Ranger chassis.

EDIT... I would look at a 4x4 chassis... just because. I would also just use the Ranger powertrain... just for simplicity and I could have a 4.0L.

That body looks pretty nice... but seems most of those really rotted away. It would be a cool unique truck completed. Good luck on your journey.

And Welcome to TRS...

 

[89Twincharge]

Dont know where your located but there's a guy here in NC with 15 or so in his yard hes trying to sell since his father passed

 

[lonelyshark]

Oh woah, thanks for the heads up!

 

[Pantharen]

Ranger and b-series are the same truck within certain years. I got burnt on that but cant remember exactly what year b-series i had. Iirc it was 1987.
*ended up selling it for double what i paid...

Pre-1994 Nothing Mazda / Ford is the same. They are completely different vehicles. Mazda prior to 1994 was made in Japan 100%