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?
Hard to say no no to Hilux surf at that price. It’s not in too bad of condition. Beats dealing with webers and the former tube mess of the Hitachi carbs.
Mazda for me due to the lack of collision damage and being in better overall condition.
*Cut to Wheel of Fortune stage with Pat Sajak and Vanna White*
On the board, “S_5” is showing.
“I’d like to buy a vowel, Pat. The letter E”
Wild. I had a 626 back in the day, an SR5 with the 22RE, had a B2600 for a while, and now drive a 99 4Runner.
I’d take the 4Runner hands down, just because I have a Chilton manual lying around for it, you can fix about 3/4 of the stuff on the truck with a 10mm, 12mm, 13mm, 3/8, and maybe a 14mm and 17mm socket with extensions, and parts are available on six continents.
But the Mazda is no small shakes either. That said, the 4Runner is more comfortable, more useful (can haul people and stuff), it’s pre-beat so I’m not going to feel bad pinstriping it further, and generally has a ton of good parts available.
Mazda. It’s hit fewer things. I normally don’t care for bed caps but this one looks good.
I had a white 88 B2200 truck back in the day. It had a much better stripe that this one does, not to mention the more powerful 2200 engine. I sold it (in much better condition and with far fewer miles) for about the same price in the early 90s.)
I don’t want to fix the 4Runner damage, so I voted Mazda.
That 4Runner is a STEAL! A worse one would be 2X the price here in the Northeast, they have mostly all turned to dust up here. Yeah the SFA 4cyl is the grail of these, but at least this has a 5 speed.
It also has a set of the best-looking alloys ever produced by Toyota.
I’d give it a really good doing over before driving it though, I have little confidence in the work of the person who added the “recovery points” to the front bumper.
I’ve replaced a front fender on a ’94 Toyota pickup, and it was very easy. The door might be a bit more of a challenge, though, due to the damage. Bumpers are also easy. But I already have a 4WD small pickup with a guzzling V6, so I’d rather try that Mazda out.
4runner today for me. I already have a “mini” truck so the 4wd and the removable top would be nice to have. We had a neighbor with one of these 4runners as a kid and it was so cool I want to see if the nostalgia is real or just that.
I would prefer a 4runner with the 22r/re but this is still pretty cool. For $3,500 that is a great winter beater/year round junk hauler. Don’t get me wrong I really like the little Mazda, but I have always wanted a 1st gen 4runner.
Mazda is a good canvas for some suspension upgrades and an MX-5 Swap. Just need to get some Toyota Hubs. Mazda Today.
I had an 88 4Runner once. Same color and stripes as this one, but significantly better condition and unfortunately also a 3.0 V6. That 3.0 V6 (which was a horrible motor to begin with) was rebuilt, poorly, and I could never quite get it sorted right. I paid about what they want for this one (in 2012 dollars) and sold it for about the same.
The Mazda seems like the better buy here.
Throw the replacement fender and door on, and that 4Runner is the perfect winter/trail beater. Or I could just resell it for a tidy $1500 profit.
2-doors? Stick-shift? Topper?
That sounds like every pickup I’ve owned since 1991. My first truck was a ’67 C-10 with over 300,000 miles on it.
I’ll take another one today.
Looks like someone forgot the parking brake and/or wheel chock when working on the 4 Runner. Mazda today.
Sakes Alive! It’s the SE-5!
That ‘Yota is worse than it looks, the fender interfering with the door means the frame is bent/crushed enough to force the fender rearwards. Was ready to vote for both until I saw the driver’s side of that poor thing.
Mazda today, it’s in really good shape for the mileage, and would be quite the survivor here in the rustbelt.
For me, the Mazda is the correct call. The 4Runner is great, but given its overall cosmetic shape and slightly higher price, the scales are tilted to the B-Series.
I had a 1987 Mazda B2000.
Easy choice today, even with 311k.
The Mazda has all I really need in a truck, and nothing I don’t. It’s in a vastly better condition, and cheaper to boot. Easy choice.
That Mazda is choice. But having owned one and remembering rowing through the gears and running the engine out like it was a rally car just to get to 35mph at every stoplight, and being barely able to hold 50mph on the freeways, I’d vote for the gas guzzling 4Runner.
oooo a Mazda pickup that isn’t rusty? Yeah I voted for the red truck 😀
Almost had me at the “SR5″…but that Mazda pickup is sweet…and will require very little other than fluids, brakes, and tires.
Sweet Mazda, but that 4 runner is beat up enough that I could have some real fun with it and not stress a scratch or dent. Surfs up!
I first read your comment as starting with a very autopian-seeming exclamation of enthusiasm.
“Sweet Mazda, Torch, that’s an amazing tale! Who knew eggs could improve car wax like that.”
I’d read that article!
I am thinking the same, the 4Runner is ready to get dirty and get some pinstripes.