OWNER: Shoji Morita
RIDE: '89 Mazda B2200 Cab Plus
LOCATION: Saga, Japan
CLUB: Style Concepts
Shoji Morita was a simple man doing the things that an average Joe does on a day-to-day basis. He didn't have a hobby (or much of a life for that matter). He'd never really been passionate about much until one day in 2002 when a good friend of his introduced him to a little thing we call the mini-truckin' lifestyle. Well, soon after that, "Show" (as he's called by his friends) decided to pick up an '89 Mazda B2200 as a project. He didn't know much about trucks, so he decided to find professionals to help build his truck, especially since his buddy's truck had been butchered somewhere else. So Shoji went to the crew at S/S Run for help.
In Japanese tradition, they decided that a plan was needed and a concept for the truck was designed. They would build something that was neither Japanese nor American style, but something that really hadn't been built in Japan before. The main focus on the build was to "build something with a total balance" - in other words, keep it simple. At first glance, one might think the truck is pretty stock, but when you really get down and look at it good, you realize that it has a lot of work and a lot of cash in it. Shoji says, "I can't park it anywhere because people want to watch and touch this truck." Just like most of us, everywhere he goes he gets all the attention, but apparently they try and touch it. Good thing that doesn't happen around here, because I bet a lot of people would get body-drops dropped on their feet.
The guys at S/S Run and Show really wanted to be set apart from the competition. This is why so much attention to detail was added, such as the aluminum bed and 4WD sheetmetal that was utilized. Another thing that was really difficult for the build was, when the truck was originally designed nobody realized that it was going to be so difficult to find clear taillights. Owner and builder talked and decided that dark green body color matches best with clear taillights, so they started to find pair of clear taillights, but it was late. No companies make them because of U.S. law. (We hear clear ones are illegal.) They didn't want to change body color, so it took a half year to find clear taillights. Wow! Talk about dedication to the cause.
So after all the trouble to get the lights, they finally got them, and here we are today, in the pages of Mini Truckin'. We think it was worth the search. Show would like to thank the crew at S/S Run for the hard work on the truck, and probably the guy that sold him the clear tails. He didn't say that, but I'm sure he would, because without those he might have had to redo the whole truck. And if he does do that, I'm sure we'd shoot it again anyway.
THE LOWDOWN
Rolling Attire
Wheels: Lexani Krystals 18x8-1/2
Backspace, front: +30mm
Backspace, rear: +30mm
Tires, front: 215/35/18
Tires, rear: 215/35/18
Chassis Modifications
Suspension type: Air
Rear suspension: 1-inch narrowed IRS from a late-'90s Mazda RX-7
Airbag: Firestone
Spindles: 2-inch drop spindles
Shocks: Rancho shocks on all four corners
Valves: AIM
Compressor: Viair
Air line: Aluminum air line, Earl's fittings
Air accessories: Dakota Digital remote control kit
Frame mods: Custom built IRS setup
Gas tank: Aluminum fuel cell
Brakes: Mazda RX-7
Detail work: Painted gunmetal gray
Performed by: S/S Run Customz (www.ss-run.com)
City/state: Saga, Japan
Body Modifications
Body-dropped: 1-1/2-inch body drop
Front end: 4WD fenders
Back end: 4WD bed, custom-made roll pan
Taillights: Clear taillights
Misc: Custom-made aluminum wall inside the bed, fenders are flared
Performed by: S/S Run Customz
City/state: Saga, Japan
Paint
Brand and colors: Custom-mixed dark green pearl
Pinstriping: Mr. G
Interior
Seats: Recaro type-C power seats
Material: Gray leather
Dash: Molded with one piece of black leather ("No seams!")
Door panels: Custom one-piece panels
Center console: Custom-made
Gauges: APC white
Performed by: S/S Run Customz
City/state: Saga, Japan
Stereo
Head unit: Alpine
Mids & highs: 6-inch Boston Acoustic mids, Rockford Fosgate tweeters
Amplifier for mids & highs: four Rockford Fosgates
Subwoofers: Four 12-inch Rockford Fosgates
Wiring/accessories: Monster wires
Misc: Alpine H700 processor
Performed by: S/S Run Customz
City/state: Saga, Japan
Engine/Performance
Displacement: Bored to 2400cc
Model/year: Stock
# of Cylinders: Four
Ported/polished: Yes
Transmission: Five-speed
Intake: Custom-built intake to house the dual 45 Weber's
Header/exhaust: Pacesetter header, stainless steel exhaust
Battery: Orbital
Performed by: S/S Run Customz
City/state: Saga, Japan
Special Thanks
S/S Run Customz: www.ss-run.com