With their long-running history as the benchmark that is the mini-truckin' community, Mazda B-series trucks are the staple of their world. Succumbing to the pressures of newer trucks, Mazda owners are becoming more and more a tight-knit, loyal group. In this world, Mazda is king and Jason Reisser knows it, for he has the king of kings in his possession.
Jason's '86 Mazda B2200 is a clean and simple approach with all the sweat in the details. Basically, most of the suspension and frame are of the stock variety, with a twist. Mike Gonzales installed a set of AIM 2-inch lowering spindles to get the B2200 closer to terra firma, while the hydraulic rams mounted up front do the rest. In the details are chrome, chrome, and more chrome. The upper control arms, tie rods, spindles, steering arm, sway bar, pitman arm, brake shields, and the brake calipers have all been treated to chrome. The lower A-arms are painted for contrast. Moving rearward, the frame has been hiked up with a bridge notch for clearance of the fully painted rear axle and the chromed four-link holding it to the truck. Hydraulic cylinders also handle the adjustable stance in the rear. Dual chrome pumps are fit into the smoothed bed and plumbed with all stainless lines and chrome hardware. 20-inch Boyd Coddington Stingray 6 wheels wrapped in Nitto 255/35ZR20 rubber fill each wheelwell perfectly.
With the exception of a Pacesetter header, the stock engine was left alone and treated to the same details as the rest of the truck. There are many miles of chrome, paint, and polish. The block, head, and transmission are painted burgundy, while everything attached to them is chromed. Braided stainless lines hook it all together and the smooth underhood look is helped by the removal of the clutch slave cylinder. True mini-trucker status: the clutch cylinder was relocated under the cowl, which is no easy task. Mercedes Benz Silver sets off the color scheme, with the color addition to the brake booster, fan shroud, and distributor. A bank of Optima batteries resides under the bed, powering the electrics for the truck and the hydraulic system.
Chris Auto Body in Miami, Florida, got the nod to handle the bodywork necessary to smooth out the wrinkles and shave the exterior. Chris smoothed the cowl vent holes, hood squirters, door and tailgate handles, wipers, and taillights. Also, the tailgate was welded permanently closed, molded to the roll pan, and flush LED lights took up residence for legality reasons. To cover that ugly bridge notch hole in the bed floor, a metal bridge cover was fabricated and the rest of the inner bed was smoothed to match. Finally, a Toyota 4Runner front bumper was fit and the truck was layered in rich GM Majestic II burgundy. A chopper-style gas filler sits on the newly sheetmetal-covered bed and a JBM billet phantom grille resides on the nose of the Mazda. Clear corner and bumper lights add just the right touch.
Following the simple but detailed theme inside the truck, Jason dropped his baby in the capable hands of Eric Cryan in West Palm Beach, Florida, for a little sound and interior work. Out came the stock dash and in its place is a seriously custom counterpart fit with a six-gauge cluster in the center. Under the gauges is an Alpine headunit playing through a pair of Alpine separates. The rest of the interior is done tastefully in gray carpet with contrasting coloring on the cut-down seats. Burgundy leather sides give way to gray suede seat centers and a matching suede headliner. The door panels were kept smooth with burgundy leather and billet window cranks.
With his no fear of chrome and paint, Jason's Mazda epitomizes what simplicity in motion can achieve. A couple of friends and the right truck club affiliation can make all the difference sometimes. Jason tells us that without Rico Rodriguez, Aftermath Truck Club, Donnie Yearwood, Eric Cryan, Mario Algerie, Seth Jones, and Mike Gonzales, he would be nowhere, with no truck. All you have to do to achieve your dreams is to sweat the details.
The Lowdown
ROLLING ATTIRE
Wheels front: 20-inch Boyd Coddington Stingray 6
Wheels rear: 20-inch Boyd Coddington Stingray 6
Tires front: Nitto 255/35ZR20
Tires rear: Nitto 255/35ZR20
CHASSIS MODIFICATIONS
Suspension type: Hydraulics
Front suspension: Reds cylinders
Rear suspension: Reds cylinders
Control arms: Lowered Control arms
Spindles: AIM 2-inch drop spindles
Frame mods: C-notch
Brakes: Detailed hard-line and stainless-steel braided, chrome backing plates
Detail work: Pat Automotive
Misc: Chrome firewall
BODY MODIFICATIONS
Shaved: Cowl, hood, door handles, wipers, taillights
Front end: Chrome and painted 4-Runner bumper, JBM billet grille, clear corners
Back end: Molded shut
Taillights: LEDs
Misc: Smoothed bed floor
Performed by: Chris Auto Body
City/State: Miami, FL
PAINT
Color: GM Majestic II Burgundy
Performed by: Chris Auto Body
City/State: Miami, FL
INTERIOR
Seats: Gray suede and burgundy leather
Dash: Custom built dash by Eric Cryan
Door panels: Smooth with burgundy leather and billet window cranks
Flooring: Gray carpet
Headliner: Gray suede
Gauges: Autometer
Misc: Billet Specialties steering wheel
Performed by: DJ Interiors
City/State: West Palm Beach, FL
STEREO
Headunit: Alpine
Mids & Highs: Alpine
Performed by: Eric Cryan
ENGINE/PERFORMANCE
Header/Exhaust: Pacesetter
Detail Work: Chrome, paint, and polish
SPECIAL THANKS
Rico Rodriguez, Aftermath Truck Club, Donnie Yearwood, Eric Cryan, Mario Algerie, Seth Jones, DJ Interiors, Mike Gonzales, and Pat Automotive