Oh how Lee Farmer of Jefferson, GA's life could've turned out different. Lee had his sights set on a 5.0 Mustang that was decked out for racing. With a big price tag and a thin wallet, Lee would come to own an S-10 Blazer. This is how Lee's brush with mini-truckin' first came to the start line. His grandpa was even about to drop down the cash on that same 5.0 for Lee. Lucky for us, Blazer's are cheap. What does a Blazer have to do with this article, you ask? Absolutely nothing...except for the fact that this was Lee's birth into mini-truckin'.
Now for the current topic at hand, Lee's '86 Mazda B2000. Lee's Mazda had already been featured in our January '02 issue as "2 Smooth." The first go-around featured four years of building and a lot of acquired knowledge. For this vision, Lee didn't want another run-of-the-mill mini. He wanted more. He wanted better. He wanted a cover! Two and a half years later, he has it.
Already having a good platform to start on, Lee's work should've been in the bag. The new build would start smooth. The truck was prepped for a new coat of paint and multiple trips to all of those who would help the paint come together. The paint would be a collaboration of multiple parties. Bodyshots by Sean Burnley would be responsible for airbrushing, the base would be performed by Gary Minish, and the final clear would be laid by Al Adams.
After the truck was basecoated and ready for graphics, it was time to load it on the trailer to get some hot flames thrown down. Problem was that the rear of the truck wouldn't lift high enough to get up the trailer without serious damage. In turn, Lee would go grab some eight foot 2x10-inch wood planks to use as makeshift ramps. In mid-roll, the ramp on the passenger side would give out and smack up into the roll pan. Still in mid-push, the roll pan ended up getting pulled out and cracked. This would put a damper on anyone's day, with the finished vision so close to reality.
The original plan had been to debut at Greenville's Showfest in May. When Lee went to start up the Mazdawg, it started but the clutch pedal was hitting the floor with no return in sight. It turned out that the pushrod was 1/4 inch too short and wouldn't make any magic happen. The hype was dead for a bit, but not for long. Indy Truck Bash was right around the corner.
Much to our delight, Lee's Mazda would make it to Indy Bash. His Mazda definitely stood out from the crowd. We think that you'll agree that the reincarnation of 2 Smooth was worth the 2-1/2-year build time. We thank you, Lee, for your loyalty to Mini Truckin'.
The Lowdown
Rolling Attire
Wheels, front: 19x7-inch Bonspeed Laguna colorforged
Wheels, rear: 20x8.5-inch Bonspeed Laguna colorforged
Backspace, front: 6 inches
Backspace, rear: 4 inches
Tires, front: Toyo Proxes 4 215/35ZR19
Tires, rear: Toyo Proxes 4 245/35ZR20
Chassis Modifications
Suspension type: air (nitrogen)
Rear suspension: Pete & Jake's four-link
Airbag/cylinder type and size: Front: Firestone 2500 Rear: Firestone 2600
Control arms: three-inch dropped control arms
Shocks: Pro Shocks
Valves: Mac 1/2-inch
Air accessories: nitrogen tank
Frame mods: custom rear frame clip
Gas tank: spun aluminum fuel cell
Brakes: powdercoated calipers
Performed by: owner, Adam Edwards
City/state: Ila, GA, in Rudy Strickland's shop
Body Modifications
Shaved: door handles, tailgate, tailgate handle, taillights, antenna, emblems, wiper cowl, gas filler door
Body dropped: 3 inches
Front end: '99-'00 Tacoma bumper with painted 4x4 valance, chrome Mazda grille shell with Trenz phantom billet grille
Back end: molded roll pan
Taillights: Mercury Cougar third brake lights
Misc: sliding ragtop, color-matched Speedliner over sheetmetaled bed by Kurt Sullivan at CSS Innovations
Performed by: Gary Minish
City/state: Lula, GA
Paint
Brand and colors: HOK Reflex Yellow and Passion Purple
Style: flames
Pinstriping: custom-mixed green by Tom Johnson
Airbrushing: Bodyshots by Sean Burnley
Performed by: base by Gary Minish, and cleared by Al Adams of Kennesaw, GA
Interior
Seats: Honda Civic
Material: tweed and leather
Dash: custom fiberglass
Door panels: sheet metal
Center console: custom fiberglass
Flooring: ACC
Gauges: Auto Meter 5-inch tach
Misc: power windows, shaved handles, BAD one-off steering wheels
Performed by: Adrien Padgett at Autoformz
Stereo
Head unit: Sony
Mids & highs: 6-1/2-inch and 5-1/4-inch Street Edge
Amplifier for mids & highs: two 200-watt Street Edge
Subwoofers: four 10-inch Street Edge
Amplifier for subwoofers: two 400-watt Street Edge
Wiring/accessories: Memphis connections
Custom fabrication: custom fiberglass speaker box
Performed by: Adrien Padgett at Autoformz
City/state: Woodstock, GA
Engine/Performance
Camshaft: Delta Cams mild street
Rearend type: '79 Mazda
Intake: painted factory
Header/exhaust: Pacesetter chrome 2-1/2-inch pipe with Dynomax muffler
Driveshaft: painted
Battery: Optima Yellow Top Location: inside ex-cab
Detail Work: block painted, firewall tubbed and shaved
Misc: Webber carb
Performed by: owner and various friends
City/state: Braselton, GA
Special Thanks
Lee's son, Joseph, and wife, Elena; Bonspeed; Memphis Car Audio; Adrien Podgett; Sean Burnley; Al Adams; Adam Edwards; Rudy Strickland; Kurt Sullivan at CSS Innovations; Tom Johnson; Clifford Renfro; Year One; Gary Minish; Mize; all of Lee's friends, who have helped in different ways; and Fernando from Acrophobia Georgia