In the 1970s, American automakers sold small trucks built in Japan. Twenty years later, the tables turned, and the Japanese nameplates were relying on their American partners for their small trucks. Today, we’re going to look at two examples of these reverse-captive-imports: a Mazda that’s really a Ford, and an Isuzu that’s actually a Chevy.
The theme yesterday was green paint and a tan interior, and we looked at a couple of rare cars with that color combination. And color me unsurprised that, all these years later, still not very many people want a Daewoo. The super-clean Nubira wagon fell mightily to its competitor, a Mitsubishi Galant sedan.
I don’t think I agree. Since neither one would be a daily driver for me, I think I’d have more fun with the Daewoo, just for the novelty factor of it. It would be amusing to take it to Cars & Coffee-type events and watch people’s reactions. Yes, it’s really a Daewoo Nubira wagon. Yes, I know the badge looks like underwear. Yes, it made it here under its own power.
Now then: What say we look at some beat-up little pickup trucks? It’s basically a Ford versus Chevy matchup, with slightly different styling. But it’s also 4WD versus 2WD, six-cylinder versus four-cylinder, and topper versus headache rack. I guess it’s all about what you need from a truck. Let’s check them out, and you can decide.
1994 Mazda B4000 – $2,900
Engine/drivetrain: 4.0-liter OHV V6, five-speed manual, 4WD
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
Odometer reading: 198,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well, I think
Ford and Mazda traded truck designs back and forth for years. In the ’70s, Ford sold a version of the Mazda B-series truck with its own engine called the Courier. In 1983, when Ford brought out its own Ranger compact pickup, the two lines went their separate ways for ten years. But starting with the 1994 model year, Mazda’s B-series became a badge-engineered Ranger – which is not a bad thing. The Ranger is a hell of a truck.
The number after the B on the fender denotes which engine is under the hood, at least usually. This is a B4000, with a 4.0-liter Cologne V6, though if you look closely, the left fender badge says B2300. Of course, the left door doesn’t match at all, so obviously there has been some junkyard diving going on here. The seller doesn’t say how well it runs or give any indication of maintenance history, though they do say it passed a smog test.
In typical work truck fashion, the driver’s seat is badly worn, but the passenger’s seat looks fine. The seller says it has air conditioning, but they don’t say whether or not it works. It does, however, have manual crank windows, which every pickup truck should have. Disagree if you want, but know that you’re wrong.
Outside, apart from the aforementioned mismatched door and replacement fender, it doesn’t look too bad. It’s just beat up enough to be a good honest truck. The ladder rack gives it some work-truck cred, but if you don’t need it, you could probably sell it.
2000 Isuzu Hombre XS – $2,650
Engine/drivetrain: 2.2-liter OHV inline 4, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: Earlysville, VA
Odometer reading: 236,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
Isuzu and Chevrolet’s small truck relationship mirrors Ford and Mazda’s pretty closely, actually. The Chevy LUV was made by Isuzu, and stuck around until the S-10 came out. Isuzu then sold its own truck until 1996, when it was replaced by this truck, the Hombre, which is just an S-10 with a different front clip.
If you’re familiar with the second-generation S-10, you can tell at a glance that this is the same truck. Under the hood is the same 2.2-liter pushrod four-cylinder found in a Chevy Cavalier, just turned the other way and driving the rear wheels. The seller lists a whole bunch of new parts and recent service, and they say it runs and drives great, except for an occasional hard-starting issue when warm. It could be vapor lock – yes, it can happen to fuel-injected cars too – or more likely an ignition coil that gets weak when it gets hot.
It’s in really good condition inside, especially for the mileage. Standard-issue GM gray interiors may be drab and flimsy-feeling, but they do seem oddly durable. This truck has air conditioning as well, and it got a new condenser a while back and works fine. The seller does say the fuel gauge doesn’t work, so don’t forget to reset the trip odometer at every fill-up.
It does have some rust, most notably on the rear wheel arches, and the seller says the door hinges droop a little, despite having new hinge pins. It’s a common GM truck problem, and usually it just means you have to give the doors a little more “oomph” when you open or close them. It has a nice matching topper with roof racks on it, which you may or may not like, but again, if you don’t want it, someone else probably will.
As I stated at the beginning, a lot of this choice rests on what you need out of a truck. If four-wheel drive is a necessity and you don’t mind the gas mileage hit of the big engine, then the Mazda is a better choice. If you prefer something simpler and more efficient, with lots of maintenance history behind it, then it has to be the Isuzu. So what say you, Autopians?
I didn’t even read the article. Gimme the Hombrero.
I had a gen 2 Sonoma with that basic setup. Single cab, 2.2, stick. Nice little truck. It was the first new vehicle I ever bought, mere weeks before I got married.
I sold it and replaced it with a crew cab Sierra 8 years and over 100K miles later, due to a growing number of offspring who liked to come along on truck-type activities.
Also, the first in a series of trucks I have owned in the best truck color: Victory Red (or equivalent).
One looks like I would need a tetanus shot before entering, and the over has very obvious rust. Nope, nada, nyet to both.
I’ll take the one that isn’t rusty, has a gas gauge, and passed the smog check. The working A/C on the other one made me look twice, but the only use I have for a truck is driving around on forest roads, so the 4WD clinched it. Someone else can have that one bad Hombre.
“Badges? We don’t need no badges!”
Hombre
Went for the Mazda. I had a 92 Ranger super cab 4×2 with that engine/trans combo, and a weirdly tall (3.27?) axle ratio. The thing was actually damn fast for the period, but any buyer wants to keep an eye on that
transmission. They are adequate for the 2.3, but not really up to task for what the 4.0 can dish out.
weren’t the 4.0 trucks equipped with a beefier unit? Or was that only on the 2001+ 4.0 SOHC trucks?
I know my 3.0 did just fine with it at 230K
Either one has the going power. I get Mazda getting the move for being the 4.0.4×4 and a ranger and mazda. I voted Isuzu just because you so rare now and the front is quite different from s10. But still everything can be found because it’s a s10. Those 2.2 are solid enough.
In a battle of Thirsty vs Rusty, we all know the outcome. Throw in 4WD and it’s no contest.
I’ve owned a I-Mark, Amigo, and a Vehicross and have never been left stranded so I’ll stick with the Isuzu genes, though I wish the important bits were more Isuzu than GM
I genuinely like the Mazda, with 4×4 and a 4 liter V6, this is a great base for an offroad build. With a mild lift, some 33″ tires, and a drop in rear locker this would be a beast with that short wheelbase. I might even keep the rack to mount a RTT and some offroad and camp lights.
normally S10 > Ranger, but not this one
“an S-10 with a different front clip.”
Actually they have different bedsides as well. The Hombre bedside has a subtle crease above the wheel wells to complement the front fenders, that the S-10/Sonoma don’t have.
I know the Hombre is going to get curb-stomped in this because the Mazda is V6 and 4 wheel drive. People go gaga about Rangers, and they sleep on the equally capable and durable S-10. I loved my 2wd S-10s and I would be thrilled to get another one. I’ll wait until I find an extended cab myself, but between these two I’ll gladly take the Hombre. Yes, it has a bit of rust, but at least all the body panels match.
In the mountains, the 4WD and slightly larger engine would be useful. So I’ll get the Mazda, paint it and source a new driver’s seat. Oh, and that rack is coming off. Maybe, I can make a few bucks but it needs to go.
I don’t hate the Isuzu S10 but it has even more miles and rust. I hate rust and for all the rust that is visible, there is more that is hidden so no go.
Mazda. I know the Rangers and Explorers inside out, so it is an easy one for me to wrench on into oblivion. Plus, while the ’94 interior isn’t as good as the ’95+, it does have the twin-I beam front suspension, which makes it a great candidate for a solid axle swap.
I’m going to be a pedant and point out since the Mazda is a 4×4, the front suspension is the twin traction beam, not the twin-I beam.
Here at the Autopian, pedantry is not only allowed but encouraged.
Despite being a fan of S-Series Chevies I had forgotten they Isuzu’ed this generation. Can’t remember the last time I saw one.
I had a ’97 (and before that a ’93, previous generation), and I can tell you that while these things will start to look bad eventually, they are essentially indestructible.
Nothing is better than a work truck you’re not afraid of hurting.
My pick is the Mazda mainly due to seeing less rust. Just get a replacement seat or get the existing one reupholstered and it’ll be good to go.
Anyone know what those metal bars out back and over the cab were likely for?
Do you mean the rack? (I’m not trying to be a wise guy). If it’s the rack you mean, it was for oversized loads and lumber that you would use tie-downs on. Say for 12, 14 or 16 foot 2×4’s. And those rounded ends prevent the wood (or pipes or whatever else from sliding off). I guess you could also use it for something like kayaks or paddleboards.
“(I’m not trying to be a wise guy)”
That sounds like something a wise guy would say!
LOL
Many Isuzu have interchangeable front seats, not sure about this one
Ladders, usually.
Wow, the big V6 with a stick was rare in a lot of these trucks. I’d definitely go with the Mazda for that.
My dad still has his 1995 Ford Ranger with the stick and 4.0 liter. It’s rusted to hell and had baseball sized hail dents on it, bounced a couple of deer off of it, and at least one leaf spring shackle in the rear had to be welded back to the frame rail, but it’s also hanging in there still. There’s a short somewhere in the wiring that we haven’t found yet, so it needs a jump, but it still moves under its own power. Extended cab, too.
4.0, 4×4 and reg cab/short bed was a rare combo indeed.
It is fun to see that Isuzu, even if I’m not picking it! I don’t think those were ever sold in Canada, and I only remember seeing one during my Stateside travels, so it is a fun oddity to me
That Mazda looks pretty great! 4×4/manual is often a hard combo to find, and I’m really liking the black/blue combo, and the lack of rust! The fuel economy would be a pain point, but everything else about the truck seems better to me
Went for the Mazda. Dunno if it’s worth checking a few more junkyards to find a door closer to the same color and a better driver’s seat, but it’s a pretty good truck. The Isuzu is about used up.
If they were in more similar condition I think it would be a closer competition, but in this case the rust on the Chev is unappealing and since the Mazda wouldn’t be a daily (probably) I am not to worried about fuel economy. Also, I don’t have anything against 2wd trucks, but in MN they are hard to get rid of when you want something new, so another point for the Mazda.