1986 Mazda B2000. Slow truck build.

So I've posted quite a few build threads. Most recent was the 98 Mustang GT. Got a 06 Audi A4 that I spent quite a lot of time of that I never made a thread on. If anyone wants pics and details, I'll share. But it's gone as the JDM mini truck bug bit me. 
 

So here it is. 
 

1986 Mazda B2000/Manual. 
 

Truck has no options. Nadda. Has a Weber conversion, header and some sort of exhaust. Solid truck but an old truck. 
 

Can't wait. 
 

LMK if you decide to engine swap. I could use that 2.0L.

I used to have one of these with a golf club shifter and the worst clutch I've ever driven. It's been 18 years, but I remember learning the hard way that the parking brake was not to be trusted. Yours looks much nicer. 
 

Oh and also, welcome to mini truck life. It's the best. 

Still got Grandpa's S10?

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:

Still got Grandpa's S10?

Alas no. Sold to my dad. Again. He tinkered and messed with it a little bit. Then he developed engine problems in the 396 of the 65 Impala. So since this was basically a NOS engine. He swapped that. 
 

Last pic I have of the truck. The frame at least went to one of his buddies projects. I can't speak to the rest. Now that 350 has been cammed, repainted. Etc. 
 

In reply to barefootcyborg5000 :

Thanks!  I missed the S10 and this is like that. But lighter (2400 lbs) and fun!  

In reply to hobiercr :

Ok!

From the Department of Free Bad Ideas: How easy is an F2T swap?

At the rate we're going, GRM might need a mini-truck subforum. 

What are your plans with it?

In reply to MadScientistMatt :

F2T has the distributor in a spot that collides with the firewall.  Also had intake manifold pointed so that the throttle body is against/hitting the firewall.  That's pretty easy to fix; it is a two-piece manifold and can be rotated 180 degrees with no special work beyond a longer throttle cable.  Something like a Megasquirt actually could be used to fix a lot of this.  I think there's a trans swap for best results due to the F2T torque, using the case from a TII RX-7.  

It would be cool if someone that can weld aluminum would build a new upper intake with very short runners and a larger plenum and throttle body interface to make this work.  The stock piece is definitely built for torque.  Similar work could be used to cut down the base of the distributor so it's basically a plug to keep oil in the engine, and then build up a modern ignition system.  

A Kia Sportage-donated FE3 might be a better situation all around, turbo or no.

In reply to MadScientistMatt :

No clue. Though iirc it's quite involved. 

In reply to Recon1342 :

Right now? Timing belt etc. center axle support bearing fix the audio clean it etc. remove underglow sort and mount wiring etc. 

idk. I'll make a list!
 

Down the road? Fix rust in bed.

Haven't had the time to do much of anything yet. 
 

This weekend though........

Well. First post update. Wife is out of town until Monday. So I have plenty of time to work on the truck. I usually go through a project vehicle, make sure everything is good to go, clean it, etc. Pretty normal stuff. I'm aware of the rest in the bed, but I was not aware of the rust underneath the driver side floor pan. I don't think it was intentionally hidden as the carpet doesn't look like it's ever been up since 1986. 

The rest isn't horrible. It seems to be located in two areas. Where the choke cable goes through the firewall is missing, a grommet, and the fuel release door cable going through the back of the cab. Both are missing grommets. Which overtime has allowed water to get in and calls the rust issue. The passenger side is clean. Now I don't have a whole Lotta options get the truck up and running for daily status.

Best thing I can do is clean it up put some sort of rust preventative down and either fix it properly down the road or just deal with it.

we're now given what I need to do with the truck and the direction I'm headed, which is a rat rod, patina daily driver I am going to treat it, plug up the holes and send it

I'm probably going to reuse the original carpet as it's in pretty good shape, but it needs a good cleaning. I am also going to reroute and rewire the amplifier and all that miscellaneous wiring.

While I am deliberating on how to deal with the rust situation, I went ahead and pulled the carpet out and gave it a good wash. It's pretty clean, and I'm pretty good shape so I think I will reuse it.
 

Before

After. 
 

So I've decided. This truck is not gonna get a rebuild. Per se.  It's not something I'm skilled in doing. Body work and sheet metal. 
 

Focus is on fun. 
 

I don't have the time, budget, or the intention to start swapping floorpans
 

I got boned. Though not intentional by the seller. Carpet hasn't been up since 1986. I failed to see it when I checked. It's on me. 
 

I did clean up the bay. Going to redo the wiring for the battery and clean up some misc crap. Removed the underglow. Yes it had underglow. 

Before.

And after

I already have a timing belt kit, valve cover gasket kit, as well as the intention to replace the shifter bushings. But other than that.

Probably going to clean the wheels up, and lowered it a little bit more but I can't see the need and sinking a lot of time and money into this thing so this will serve as an ongoing post where this thing leads me. 

Box of crud I've pulled out. 
 

I will probably get me a new car down the road getting tired of messing with these old E36 M3 boxes.