OWNER: Mark Sawyer
RIDE: '96 Mazda B2300
HOMETOWN: Granada Hills, CA
When Mark Sawyer was building his '96 Mazda B2300, he wanted to do all his own work and learn as much as he could. A fabricator by trade, he wasn't wrapped up in the drama that surrounds some truck clubs. He only wanted to build his ride and enjoy his life and the mini-truckin' scene to its fullest.
At one show a few years ago, we noticed the truck had been coming along nicely. We had the chance to speak to Mark during the event to talk about the progress. He was very eager to find out what needed to be done to the truck to be featured. He wanted to go above and beyond the norm because his hands were the only ones that would be building his truck. He spent his time working on other trucks for a living, but after-hours, he was all about working on his new-generation Mazda. What he came up with was a custom that is every bit a show truck with the quality of craftsmanship behind it that makes it worthy of being driven anywhere, at any time.
Editor's Note
On January 20, 2003, Mark lost his battle with Cystic Fibrosis. His love of customizing trucks lives on in his truck and in the memories of his family and closest friends. Mark loved slammed mini-trucks. His truck was called LOW4LYF because that's all he ever wanted. He was a hard-core mini-trucker through and through. An enthusiast until the end, his untimely passing at the age of 25 saddens us. Take a look at what he was able to accomplish with a new-generation Mazda. We only wish he could be here to see it in print.
THE LOWDOWN
Wheels/Tires 17x8.5-inch TSW VX-1 wheels with 215/45R17 BFGoodrich radial tires.
Suspension The stock suspension was modified by installing DJM dropped I-beams for an initial drop up front. Next, the truck was treated to Firestone airbags installed on custom bracketry up front, bringing the truck down to earth. In the rear, the truck's factory frame was cut off just behind the cab, and a new frame section was built. A three-link suspension was custom-built specifically for the truck. Another pair of Firestone 'bags was used to lay the rear of the truck out. Close attention to detail can be found throughout the suspension, including chrome and powdercoated parts.
Body Mods Besides having a 3-1/4-inch body drop, the truck's bedsides were flared to allow the wheels and tires to sink into the bed completely. Mark did all of the work on the truck's suspension himself, including the body drop. Other mods include shaved door and tailgate handles, a shaved antenna, a shaved fuel door, a shaved third brake light, and a steel roll pan. The nose of the truck was made radically different by using an '00 Nissan Frontier front bumper, while the rear was changed up by installing updated '02 B3000 taillights.
Interior Inside the truck, the interior was wrapped using gray tweed and vinyl. Flames were stitched into the seat inserts, and more flames were laid into the door panels and headliner. D Upholstery in the San Fernando Valley, California, performed the interior work on the Mazda.
Stereo Inside the cab are some serious tunes for the sonically inclined. The truck was outfitted with a Pioneer DEH-P-430 head unit, PPI amplifiers, and an array of Boston Acoustics speakers.
Paint When we first saw the truck, it was a single color with good body mods. However, by the time we shot it , the truck had been given a new look with '02 Mercedes S-500 Silver and Real Teal as a two-tone paint treatment.
Owner's Quote "Thanks for all of the support from my family and friends. I remembered as I was building my truck that it's a pretty rare truck, not everyone has one - much less one that's customized. I lost a girl over my desire to build my dream truck."