I think that this is a great review. I, myself drive a 1989 Mazda B2200 pickup, and other than rust and oil burning, it has never quit. Mine is a 5-speed manual transmission with an in-line four-cylinder engine. It gives off just enough power to get up to speed quite fast, no matter what anyone else says. It has been driven into the ditch twice and still runs like the day I bought it. It recently started missing, but putting just four new spark plugs in it was a cheap and easy fix. I have to say that until it dies, I won't trade it for anything.

You’re going to ask why so I’ll tell you upfront. I bought a B2200 regular cab from a guy in Florida because my Dad gifted me the last B2200 that I wrecked. I wanted another truck since wrecking it, but here in Ohio the winters kill cars, so finding one was nearly impossible. The truck I purchased was full of mold and wasp nests, so to say the least it’s been an interesting restoration.

I think these trucks are the best value for the money. I bought this truck with the expressed purpose of refurbishing it and possibly gifting back to my father.

So far I’ve replaced all ball joints, all tie rods, pitman and idler arms, 4 tires, the full interior including seats, carpet, door panels and headliner, all interior plastic parts have been cleaned and painted as well as installing a heat shield and sound barriers, fan clutch, oil pump water pump, lifters, automatic transmission actuators, radiator and all hoses etc… The list goes on and on. Fortunately I’ve been able to do all the work myself and saved a ton of money utilizing the Pull-a-Part franchise locations as far away as Louisville, KY (from Cleveland Ohio). I was able to upgrade the interior using parts from a “decked out” B2200 in the junk yard.

I guess this list of replacing “wear” items’ isn’t impressive in itself, unless you add that I drove the truck home 16 hours from South Florida to Northern Ohio in the original purchased condition. The radiator had to be replaced in Charlotte South Carolina; the only road side repair needed outside the two blown tires after arriving home. As it turns out the previous owner, self proclaimed motor head, was a flat out liar, but to get a truck with ZERO rust and bullet proof engine base to work from, I’d paid more than I did.

I’m contemplating a complete engine overhaul, but just may opt for the head and camshaft seals first because it does not use oil. The one thing he did do was use a seal conditioner, so compression is not an issue.

It does stutter but it runs much better after I replaced some vacuum hoses, especially the distributor vacuum hose.

I look forward to many years with this truck (for me and Dad). 117K miles and counting...