Some of you may know the Michael aka mikerider and I have been friends for a very long time, we have been trashing our trucks together for almost 10 years. We both had rangers in highschool and for a year or so after, I did the full size mod a few years ago, then almost 2 years ago i got my diesel for work purposes. But I recently picked up my 94 b3000 wheeler/project. The eventual goal is to do something similar to mikes, just a little more beatable. I'd like it to be a capable wheeler, but still be pavement friendly ie gears, better locker etc..

So for build thread sake, the specs are: 94' Mazda b3000 4x4, twin stick, 6 inch skyjacker on 35 inch wildcat ext's, explorer rear end, stock gears, gutted interior, and a roll cage through the cab and into the bed.

When I got it:







Mike had a 98' he used to help rebuild his brother inlaws fx4 level 2 so he gave me 95% of the interior pieces including the dash and steering column. He was just going to chuck em'. I'm hoping to use the 98 steering column and wheel since I had to cut out most of the support to mine. My column support mounts to the firewall and the newer dash mounts to the dash subframe. So if the columns aren't interchangeable I can just fab a bracket for my column to fit the new dash. What I did is cut out the dash to fit the roll cage, I had to pull almost everything off the firewall and I would have pulled the column but I had to be able to get it out of the driveway and I didn't think I would have time to dry fit the column. Anyways, PICS!


Pulled the newer steering column.






Who needs a steering wheel puller?!




Dry fitted


How it sits now, more work soon! I have most a full set of gauges to make a custom instrument panel, tach speedo and gas gauge are going to be on a diamond plate eluminun backing fit where the stock panel goes, and the oil, temp, and voltage will be mounted elsewhere, probably going to utilized the ashtray/airbag switch area for that. I'm also going to re arrange the bed, I'm going to fab up a basket to go over the back half up about 6" offthe bed rails, some sort of a truck box under it, gas cans directly under the roll bar, and some other various wheeling supplies. The dash is only dry fitted for now, I have to do a little more cutting, it's about an inch from where I needs to be. I had to cut off original mounting brackets to fit it around the roll cage, but the steel frame lines up almost perfect with the roll cage so it looks like that's where my brackets will be welded. I have a garage remodel going at the same time, I hope to get the dash mounted with my vents modified, my wiring harness re mounted and the steering column taken care of before my garage floor comes out, at the point the garage will be my project until its done. There will be a little lull in the build process during that time, but I would like to have this documented from start to finish, as well as having some suggestions.

 

so much carnage, seems to fit in decently despite the roll cage.

 

HOLY ****!!! ITS MY OLD TRUCK, i built the whole thing from stock form

 

the build thread for when it was mine project daily/wheeler b3000 - The Ranger Station Forums

 

not bad dude it looks great. sub'd

 

Its in good hands! Brendon will take good care of it and its going to be even sweeter once he gets his plans done!

 

Its going to be a slow build ha ha. Hopefully ill get done more this weekend.

 

Cool truck. Sound come out well.

 

So I got a little more work done to it. it looks basically the same though. I got the dash fit completely, and tack welded in place, and the steering column and brackets are fabbed and fit to the new dash. not enough to really post an pics. I had some un expected draw backs, the tranny on my PSD went out, 4300 bucks later and its back on the road, but that hurt ha ha.

 

found an old picture or two of it...offer still stands to trade my 01 for it back haha

 

It's been a few months, had some 'life' get in the way and prevented me from getting some work done. But i finally got the dash in completely and the instrument cluster in. I dismantled a stock gauge cluster and gutted it using only the frame of the back bulb housing for mounting purposes, and the black trim. I cut out my own plate for the gauges and lined up all the mounting holes. I ditched the clear plastic. The steering column for the 94 is different than the 98, a tad shorter, so I had to do some cutting while keeping a custom steering column plan in mind, not sure if I'll get to it since it looks like I'll be selling this before I finish it completely. Not the route I wanted to go, but life gets in the way sometimes. I also tossed a freebie grant steering wheel on that my buddy took off of his yj. Took a little work but i got it on there nice and secure.

 

You only need 3 guages?

 

Yeah, the only important ones, the fuels, the fast, and the revs.

No, the other three are mounted where the 98 factory hvac controls were, as pictured ha ha.

 

good work bud

 

Thanks man! It's not perfect but it's coming along.

 

Dude the gauges turned out awesome!!!! I love it going wheeling on the 16th ifs u at least want to wheel it ONCE!

 

I want to! I'll see if I can't get those gauges wired up in time.

 

You have a trailer you don't need no stinking gauges!

 

I don't need speedo or tach. I don't want that thing heatin up too much on me though ha ha. Need some temps!

 

LOL my build is base off of mike truck too!

Good looking rig too!

Is this the same guy that picked mike up after he busted his cv?

 

Ya josh, same guy, he's my rescue lol.

 

Yep, michaels number one rule that I made up.. Always have a friend with a bigger truck ha ha.

Mazdas for sale! $2500 OBO!

 

its a good rule lol, easy for me when I drive a ranger

 

What is the manufacturer of the front bumper? I recently bought a 97 b4000 extended cab. Love that style of front bumper you have.

 

It was home made by the previous owner.