ARGH! GIV'ER!
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
ARGH! GIV'ER!
Howdy All!
First off I gotta say that this is an awesome forum - and the info, trucks and postings make me want to severely mod my almost stock 2000 B4000 4x4.
I bought 'er last October because me and what will be my wife will be cruising across Canada, The States, Mexico and Central America for a year long trip. I could not imagine having to live in a van, VW or pay the price and have the travel limitations of an RV - so we've got a little slide in camper for the truck with only the basic amenities and it seems that the little Mazda will be perfect for where we want to go - which is off of the beaten track, way off if possible.
Now I've got to upgrade elements of the nearly stock (I've added a set of leaf springs - the camper is about 800lbs and I don't want to go beyond the recommended weight without beefing things up) so that we won't get stuck up the proverbial creek. I'm very fortunate that a good friend is a Ford mechanic.
I've always wanted a pickup - and this is basically my first one. Well.... I bought a beautiful '86 F250 4X4 with only 60000 original miles with the 5.7 litre on a long bed. But about a week after purchase I came to realize that the 3 speed monster would get less than 11mpg with a camper as gas prices skyrocketed to over $1.50 CDN and was lucky to sell it without losing any dough. Here's a pic for you truck lovers:
I'm looking forward to learning about how to upgrade my vehicle without getting too jealous of the other ones on this site - and I welcome any comments for my truck and ways to improve it for the trip.
Cheers!
First off I gotta say that this is an awesome forum - and the info, trucks and postings make me want to severely mod my almost stock 2000 B4000 4x4.
I bought 'er last October because me and what will be my wife will be cruising across Canada, The States, Mexico and Central America for a year long trip. I could not imagine having to live in a van, VW or pay the price and have the travel limitations of an RV - so we've got a little slide in camper for the truck with only the basic amenities and it seems that the little Mazda will be perfect for where we want to go - which is off of the beaten track, way off if possible.
Now I've got to upgrade elements of the nearly stock (I've added a set of leaf springs - the camper is about 800lbs and I don't want to go beyond the recommended weight without beefing things up) so that we won't get stuck up the proverbial creek. I'm very fortunate that a good friend is a Ford mechanic.
I've always wanted a pickup - and this is basically my first one. Well.... I bought a beautiful '86 F250 4X4 with only 60000 original miles with the 5.7 litre on a long bed. But about a week after purchase I came to realize that the 3 speed monster would get less than 11mpg with a camper as gas prices skyrocketed to over $1.50 CDN and was lucky to sell it without losing any dough. Here's a pic for you truck lovers:
I'm looking forward to learning about how to upgrade my vehicle without getting too jealous of the other ones on this site - and I welcome any comments for my truck and ways to improve it for the trip.
Cheers!
Last edited by trollmessiah; Mar 1, 2009 at 11:36 AM. Reason: Fix fer da pix!
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,980
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From: Kutztown, PA
Welcome fellow Mazda member! I'm going to assume you have the 4.0 OHV engine like I do, be sure to change out your plugs and wires before you set out....you should see EASY 20MPG on the highway, especially if you drive like a sane person and have H/T tires. I have quite the heavy foot, 31" BFG ATs, and 15" black steelies (HEAVY), and I get 18-22 highway depending on my driving that day.
Be sure to take pictures of everywhere you go and post them up here!
Be sure to take pictures of everywhere you go and post them up here!
Last edited by 99MazdaB4000; Feb 28, 2009 at 02:15 PM. Reason: .
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
We're off mid-June - slowly going west across Canada, up the Dempster Highway to the North-West Territories - then down the west coast into Baja and then into Central America... where the itinerary gets a little foggy.
Thanx fer the advice Steve - I'm thinking about bringing along an extra set of plugs and wires (along with an alternator, fuel pump, water pump, hoses, brake pads and belts). I gotta peruse the tires forum - need to put some really dependable 31's on 'er (and carry 2 extras).
Plus - add some bull bars, front and back receivers AND an iPod friendly stereo.
Thanx fer the advice Steve - I'm thinking about bringing along an extra set of plugs and wires (along with an alternator, fuel pump, water pump, hoses, brake pads and belts). I gotta peruse the tires forum - need to put some really dependable 31's on 'er (and carry 2 extras).
Plus - add some bull bars, front and back receivers AND an iPod friendly stereo.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,829
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From: Colorado
Welcome.
In case you dont know how to post pictures.
https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ad.php?t=80796
In case you dont know how to post pictures.
https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...ad.php?t=80796
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 0
From: Kutztown, PA
Thanx fer the advice Steve - I'm thinking about bringing along an extra set of plugs and wires (along with an alternator, fuel pump, water pump, hoses, brake pads and belts). I gotta peruse the tires forum - need to put some really dependable 31's on 'er (and carry 2 extras).
Plus - add some bull bars, front and back receivers AND an iPod friendly stereo.
Plus - add some bull bars, front and back receivers AND an iPod friendly stereo.
Now, if you're looking at making side excursions down a bunch of dirt roads and plan to "wander off the beaten path", BFGoodrich All-Terrains would be your best bet. They have GREAT tread life, are QUIET on the highway, and look AWESOME. BUT, they are *somewhat* expensive. You'd probably be better off running a smaller tire, as its less rotational mass and etc etc, especially if fuel economy/trip cost is a concern. Again.....feel free to ask anything, we will answer.
We're off mid-June - slowly going west across Canada, up the Dempster Highway to the North-West Territories - then down the west coast into Baja and then into Central America... where the itinerary gets a little foggy.
Thanx fer the advice Steve - I'm thinking about bringing along an extra set of plugs and wires (along with an alternator, fuel pump, water pump, hoses, brake pads and belts). I gotta peruse the tires forum - need to put some really dependable 31's on 'er (and carry 2 extras).
Plus - add some bull bars, front and back receivers AND an iPod friendly stereo.
Thanx fer the advice Steve - I'm thinking about bringing along an extra set of plugs and wires (along with an alternator, fuel pump, water pump, hoses, brake pads and belts). I gotta peruse the tires forum - need to put some really dependable 31's on 'er (and carry 2 extras).
Plus - add some bull bars, front and back receivers AND an iPod friendly stereo.
BFG are your best bet for the tires, you should let us know when your coming through our areas I d be glad to suggest a couple of nice out of the way places to camp up through the interlake
Welcome to the forums. You're about to live my dream. I am jealous.
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From: Kutztown, PA
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