You know what’s missing from trucks these days? Stripes. Sporty editions of pickups and SUVs used to be adorned with stripes from the factory, and every manufacturer seemed to try to out-do each other with their cool patterns. Some were bold, some were subtle, but they all made the trucks look just a little cooler than the base model. Both of today’s competitors are so be-striped, though they don’t have a lot in common beyond that.
Yesterday wasn’t much of a fight, as it turned out; not very many of you liked the idea of doing a frame swap on a Jeep. It’s definitely in the “easier said than done” category. A lot of you who chose the Ford truck didn’t actually want it, but thought the idea of fixing it and flipping it was enticing.
I’m of the same mind. I like my Chevy truck more than that Ford, but I could probably sell that thing for twice as much up here in Michigan. It’s practically rust-free for around here. If I were twenty years younger, I might be interested in something like that Jeep project, just for the sake of doing it, but now, as a wise man once said, I’m too old for that shit.
Ever since automakers quit building trucks like these, people have been clamoring for them. For a long time, it wasn’t a problem, because there were plenty of them and they run forever. The trouble is that forever, as another wise man said, is a mighty long time. It’s impossible to find compact trucks or two-door SUVs that don’t already have two or three hundred thousand miles on them, and most of them look like it, too. These two are long in the tooth, and definitely have some battle scars, but they also have those cool stripes. Let’s see which one you prefer.
1987 Mazda B2000 SE-5 – $3,200
Engine/drivetrain: 2.0 liter OHC inline 4, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: Centralia, WA
Odometer reading: 311,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Ford and Mazda trucks had a symbiotic relationship for years: the old Ford Courier was really a Mazda, and from 1994 onwards, the Mazda B-series was really a Ford Ranger. But in between, the two companies each built their own trucks, and Mazda’s were really great. They’re tough, reliable, and nicer to drive than a lot of small trucks. That means, of course, that very few of them sat around gathering dust; they got used, and used hard. This one has well over 300,000 miles on it, and it’s nowhere near the highest mileage Mazda B-series I’ve ever seen.
The heart of this wonderful little truck is Mazda’s 2.0 liter FE four-cylinder, the same engine used in the 626 sedan at the time. It makes about 80 horsepower, which surprisingly feels like enough. This one has been modified a little bit, with a “Weber style” carburetor (seller’s words), which probably means a Chinese knockoff. It seems to work well enough, though, because the seller says it starts and runs just fine. It also appears to have a tube-style exhaust header, which I didn’t even know anybody made for these. I’m curious to know what it sounds like.
The SE-5 was the sporty model, and it came with a little nicer interior than the base model. It’s got carpet, a center console, and bucket seats with a cool fabric pattern to them. Considering the mileage, it’s in really good shape inside, but a couple things stand out: it looks like the ignition switch has been popped and replaced by a lock and a toggle switch on the console. Hey, it’s an old truck; stuff wears out, and you do what you have to do. Also, there are a few minor rips in the vinyl, which could spread if you’re not careful. But I guess there’s always duct tape. This is never going to be a show truck anyway.
Most of what makes it an SE-5 is on the outside: black bumpers and mirrors, chrome wheels, and of course, stripes. Some of the stripes are missing from the driver’s side, though; it looks like the left front fender has been replaced, and I don’t know what happened to the “SE-5” lettering on the rear flank. It’s there on the other side. Oh well, at least it’s not rusty. It comes with a nice fiberglass topper too, if you’re into that sort of thing.
1988 Toyota 4Runner SR5 – $3,500
Engine/drivetrain: 3.0 liter OHC V6, five-speed manual, 4WD
Location: Bonney Lake, WA
Odometer reading: 197,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Take a Toyota pickup, remove the front wall of the bed and the rear wall of the cab, and permanently fuse the two together, and what do you get? The start of a dynasty. The first generation of 4Runner was the only version with a removable rear roof; after this it turned into nothing more than a jacked-up station wagon. Those later 4Runners sold like crazy, and still do, but they’ll never be as cool as the first generation. Some purists will tell you that even this one won’t do, and the only “good” 4Runner is the 1985 model with a solid front axle. But personally, I’ll give up a little off-road capability for the vastly improved on-road ride and handling of the independent front end.
Originally, the 4Runner was powered by Toyota’s famous 22R/22R-E four-cylinder, but beginning in 1988, a 3.0 liter V6 was offered. The V6 added some useful power, but it took the fuel economy from bad to “holy crap, that’s it?” This one has a five-speed manual, and it runs and drives great, according to the seller. It has a newer clutch, and a brand new starter.
When I first clicked on this ad, I wasn’t expecting to see a pristine interior, but honestly, it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. The driver’s seat is worn out along the edge, and the driver’s door panel is half missing, but it doesn’t look abused. I think the door panel damage has to do with the damage to the door itself. I wish there were better photos, but from what I can see, it’s acceptable.
It’s kind of a mess outside, but anyone in the Midwest is going to immediately be impressed by the lack of rust on it. And nearly all the damage is on parts that bolt on, so it’s totally repairable. It includes a new front fender and a used door, but you’ll probably want to find a front bumper somewhere. This one will never be pretty either, but it can still be fun.
I imagine some of you will scoff at the prices of these, but go look at what a really nice B2000 or early 4Runner is going for these days. Prices are absolutely nuts. And if these two really are as mechanically good as they say, who cares how they look? You’ll enjoy driving an ugly truck way more than someone else will babying a pretty one. Which one would you rather have?
Maybe because my Dad owned one and that clouds my judgement. But I’m going with the 4Runner. We took ours everywhere and it was actually a very capable offroad vehicle. It was slow as molasses. But so too was most everything else back then
My initial reaction was Mazda but I think I’d rather have the rattier Toyota in real life. Take the top off and its a blast. The Mazda is just a nice, old small pickup which is personally useless to me. The 4runner has beach/fishing rig all over it.
tough one today. 4 Runner is my choice, even though it is far less honest I bet. The 2wd Mazda looks to be hiding nothing, and probably will make some radwood kid a fine little runabout. But I don’t think I could go back to 2WD. And I would definitely want more stripes and mini truck lowering stuff on that just for nostalgia sake, which would ruin that time capsule. No, I think going roofless off road in the toyota sounds more interesting.
4Runner’s too worn for the money. The Mazda looks great. Slow is OK when you look good doing it.
4R became a far more usable vehicle when it stopped being a removable-roof toy and became “nothing more” than a 4×4 wagon.
The Mazzzzda is a jazzy little truck. I’ll take it!
I voted for the Mazda. It isn’t a spectacular deal at this price, but it is a cool truck for not much money. Plus, I like the color.
The 4Runner is also cool, but it is a bit rough. It isn’t worth $3500 to me, even if that is probably close to what it will sell for.
The Mazda looks loved. It’s a yes.
The 4Runner was put away wet. This is someone who doesn’t take the best care of his tools, but still cares enough gets upset at themselves for it.
But at the price, this starts to sound like a “both” scenario and hope it’s just externally cosmetic on the 4Runner.
I think the 4Runner only makes sense for someone who wants to keep putting it through hell as a 4×4 beater truck. You could fix all the body damage and wind up with a nice truck, but is the juice worth the squeeze? The Mazda is in much better condition and avoids the Toyota truck tax. If the 4Runner was as clean as that Mazda the seller would be asking for 3x as much, and they’d probably get it.
I’ll go with the Mazda today. I can drive it as is without getting dirty looks from enthusiasts wondering why I’ve let a precious older 4Runner get into such an awful state.
The V6 and Manual helps a bit, the fully removable rear roof section sells it more for me though.
I could flip that 4runner and make a good profit by selling it in the upper mid west rust zone.
I’m tempted by both, but the Mazda seems like a great entry point to get back into mini-trucks, so it gets my vote today.
Tough call today but that Mazda looks better cared for than the 4Runner. And I like that ignition switch workaround. Well done!
The ignition lock cylinder got trashed on my old Dodge beater truck when I loaned it to a friend. The cheapest/easiest fix was to remove it completely so you had to stick your finger in and rotate the switch to start it. It was awkward and some stress on your finger but people stopped asking to borrow the truck after that 🙂
That’s awesome. A vehicle can’t be proudly called a beater unless you have to give people weird instructions before letting them borrow it, and telling them to make sure they finger the truck while starting it definitely counts as weird.
Hey editors, you should give us a QOTD asking what are the most bizarre or terrifying special instructions you’ve had to give people about one of your vehicles. On this site people are going to have stories about that.
I’ll add mine. I was a law student and drove a cheap Fiat Vivace. Our then president wanted to force the Constitution for a third term, and I was organizing a number of conferences with ConLaw professors opposing the idea. I took the Chair of ConLaw (former MP, vice-president candidate, constitutional conventional, a sort of hero) from the School of Law to a committee of our party for yet another public lecture.
To do so, I had to join the cables because the ignition lock was broken.
He laughed about it. A good sport, Tuta.
I’ll take the not-beat-to-hell Mazda.
On Mark’s opening, couldn’t agree more about the need for graphics to return. I saw a current model Ranger Splash this past weekend; the yellow graphics on its ubiqui-gray paint job really worked, showing that it’s okay to have meh colors as long as you contrast it with something bright.
I remember those “Sakes Alive!” Mazda truck ads from back in the day. Only $5,795 — but that was a few years earlier than this example. I worked for a dealership in the early ’90s and drove lots of little import trucks. The Mazdas seemed to be the most civilized. I’ll take this clean one!
Where is Joe Isuzu when you need him…
I’m sure Joe would say the Isuzu P’Up was far superior in every unbelievable way (it really wasn’t bad either).
I’ll take the one not beat to crap. Mazda today
I bought an 87 B2000 back in May for $400, and only just towed it home last weekend. new plugs, filled the cooling system with water, filled the tank with fuel, sprayed some starting fluid into the carb, and it fired right up with a new battery. oh sure, it’s got 240k miles and needs four tires, but for a cheap fuel efficient runabout with a pickup bed? this new homeowner found the score of the decade
I’ll go with the 4Runner. I already have an ’87 Truck, so the taste of the tears will be familiar.
The rumpled fender and door skin is easy enough and since they’re already in hand, it does raise the question: why hasn’t the PO already done it? Some trepidation enters the equation there.
Bumpers are readily available. I’m not that familiar with the 3.0 but what the hell. Even though Yota enthusiasts universally revile it for assorted reasons, there’s stacks of folks who are both knowledgeable and generous with their expertise, so if I run up against something I can’t figure out, there’ll be people I can ask.
The interior of the 4Runner should be easy. I love that it’s still on stock wheels, those are genuinely good looking rims.
I honestly can’t tell why people seem to like the 4Runner. Maybe because it’s a 4WD Toyota?
With how that thing looks, I’d rather just give what that 4Runner is being listed for to the B2000 seller.
I mean, either or is good. I like the Mazda, though, as the panels are straight.
Looks like somebody used the patented ‘Click and Clack Clutch Test’ on the Toyota, but didn’t start close enough to the tree.
Love that Mazda.
Both, please!
That 4Runner is a deal! Provided the damage is just to the sheetmetal, that’s the one I picked.
But both of these are great buys!
Always the least ruined one! So this time the not so trendy Mazda.
Finish removing the bumper with one good whack of a hammer. If the door opens and closes, good enough for me. I love what you do for me, Toyota!