they were made in japan - 100% japanese. its too bad mistsubishi made the ecu, though - check the B-series link at www.avproecm.com for details...

for B.) i'd say that they've been wrecked and were totalled for why they're in the junkyards

they are tough to find - i'd try autotrader and look for the 89-93 years as that was the last major revision to the 'mazda built' b-series...

 

My last vehicle was a 95 ranger extended cab 4x4 with a 3.0L V6. If you get one get a stick. I had the auto and it was replaced twice. Had to pay for it the first time, the second it was under warrenty, but it took me a few months to get them to replace it. I had other problems with it as well. The power stearing was replaced, and so was some A/C part. Also I had 3 sensors replaced. 1 for the check engine light, and both the door sensors too. It was also pretty slow. I had it from 47k miles till 80k miles.

I wrecked it right before I sold it too. The brakes on it were very unpredictable. It only had rear ABS. But the rear ABS didn't work in 4 wheel drive.

 

Wow, looks like im staying away from a 1995 Ranger. The 1997-98 Ranger is ranked "Best Used Truck" on Edmunds. I might test drive one of those.

Thanks for the nfo.

 

I had a 94 with a stick and it ran great until the motor died all of a sudden (nobody could figure out why, water pump died at the same time but it looked like motor damage took care of it). The 2.3L block has always been very reliable and I didn't really have any issues with mine until boom. If you can afford it they are always selling new 2.3L Rangers in Houston for around 10k and they have more horsepower and better fuel economy than the old ones.

 

I might have just had a bad one. My friend had a 98 with the 4.0L V6 and he really liked it and wants to get one again.

When I had the transmission replaced the mechanic said that he replaced them all the time. The guy who bought it from me said the only reason he was buying an auto was because it was just replaced and had a warrenty.

 

Mazda B series trucks are over priced Rangers just buy a Ranger. I use to work for a Mazda dealer that is located next to a large Ford dealer and they couldn't move the B series because people would go next door and buy Ranger for thousands less.

 

I have a '98 B4000. 4.0 V6, 5-spd, PW/PDL/PM, factory CD (also pioneer premier cd with Infinity components up front and Infinity 2-ways in the rear doors), 4 door ext cab, AC, bedliner
I love it! The 5-spd is the best way to get the 4.0. The auto doesn't take advantage of the torque. You can buy mine if you want it! 51000 actual miles, 2nd owner (first was older guy), always babied! Let me know if you're interested. If not, I do highly recommend these trucks! Just not the 3.0. Lots of trouble! Good luck!

 

I used to be a huge Toyota guy,,,had a 86 3door tercel, 91 4x4 xcab truck (before they were tacoma's),,,and just traded my 4runner in for my pro5,,,,but my girl wanted a truck and i went to look at a used toy or ford,,,,but with mazda haveing 3,500 in rebates and 500 for college grads,,,,we couldn't beat the price,

she ended up getting the b3000 man,,,regular cab dual sport,

i really wanted 4x4 and xcab but they cut us a deal,,,,14000 after tax/tittle ,out the door,,,,which sounded good to her purse,,,and she loves it,,,,and i don't mind driving it,,,it almost seems faster than my pro5,,,,

but there is nothing like a toy truck,,,,just be smart and don't lift it and put some unreasonable tires under it,,,,that's why i had to trade in mine it had 38" mickeys that were tearing the truck apart , and i was only getting 8mpg,,, with a really uncomfortable ride,,couldn't steer for nothing,,,if i wouldn't have done all that i'd still have my runner and i know it would have gone over 200k easy (had 185k)