My Mazda Pickup

[danielj]

Some pics of my other motor, Mazda B2500. Mostly used on road for daily commute and also some off road in soft fields and muddy paths. Rear is very light on the road and it has a tendency to slide. Any suggestions on inexpensive mods that might make the tail hold better or improve the handling as well as improve off road ability. (Yes, that is a "small" dent down the drivers side. Wasn't me though. Got it like that.)

<a href="http://s743.photobucket.com/albums/xx77/danielj2500/Mazda/?action=view&current=B25002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx77/danielj2500/Mazda/B25002.jpg" border="0" alt="B2500(2)"></a>

<a href="http://s743.photobucket.com/albums/xx77/danielj2500/Mazda/?action=view&current=B25001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i743.photobucket.com/albums/xx77/danielj2500/Mazda/B25001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[lacroupade]

Some pics of my other motor, Mazda B2500. Mostly used on road for daily commute and also some off road in soft fields and muddy paths. Rear is very light on the road and it has a tendency to slide. Any suggestions on inexpensive mods that might make the tail hold better or improve the handling as well as improve off road ability. (Yes, that is a "small" dent down the drivers side. Wasn't me though. Got it like that.)

Looked at one of these for a while and I reckon its probably the best value and most dependable of the double cab pickups, been sorely tempted - how long have you had it Dan?

 

[danielj]

Looked at one of these for a while and I reckon its probably the best value and most dependable of the double cab pickups, been sorely tempted - how long have you had it Dan?

About 5 months. Generally use if for daily commute, 120 miles round trip. Haven't had a single problem with it mechanically. I'm told the engines are very reliable. Bit lighter on the diesel than the T2 but as I said back end can be very light. Pity you weren't around this neck of the woods and you could take it out and give it a bit of welly on and off the road and see what you thought.

 

[paulp]

wobbly back end -ooer

Hi I know of an inexpensive cure - three big bags of horse sh@t or bags of sand.

I used the later in my old capri. :thumb2:thumb2

paulp

 

[danielj]

Hi I know of an inexpensive cure - three big bags of horse sh@t or bags of sand.

I used the later in my old capri. :thumb2:thumb2

paulp

At least thats within my current budget anyway.:thumbs

 

[tezzer]

About 5 months. Generally use if for daily commute, 120 miles round trip. Haven't had a single problem with it mechanically. I'm told the engines are very reliable. Bit lighter on the diesel than the T2 but as I said back end can be very light. Pity you weren't around this neck of the woods and you could take it out and give it a bit of welly on and off the road and see what you thought.

fill the tub with ballast. :thumb2

 

[danielj]

fill the tub with ballast. :thumb2

A little more in the tub and a little less on the gas pedal on roundabouts in the wet might help a bit allright I suppose:naughty:naughty

 

[lacroupade]

I suppose softer rear springs might help a bit but then you'd lose load carrying capacity wouldn't you. As you say, taking it easier is the cheapest option LOL

 

[danielj]

I suppose softer rear springs might help a bit but then you'd lose load carrying capacity wouldn't you. As you say, taking it easier is the cheapest option LOL

Loads I carry would often be bulky but not very heavy so I might look at the rear leaf springs at some point. To be fair to the Mazda though once you know how it handles the driving can usually be adjusted accordingly. A new set of tyres will probably help a bit too.

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

i am in the same position regarding tyre choice on my Ford Ranger also basically the same truck in the time honoured maverick/terrano way.

I carry some pretty heavy loads all the time and have no problen loade, and not relly ny problems with the back end sliding on the road, some of them have an LSD on the rear some dont, mine has so maybe that is the reason for different conrnering? maybe yours hasn't an LSd or has and it needs new oil? worht a thought.

I am currentl debating new tyres as i want more grip, its still running the factory standard bridgestone duellers, but dont want more road noise or less MPG as currently it had very good road manners. My yres are 265 70 16 and the choices are fewer, I have it on good authority fomr an experience 4x4 tyre fitter that 31 10 50 15 tyre will go striaght on with no issues and he recomends general grabber at2's, but i am dubious about changing from the manufacurers spec size.

having said that many of the Mazda variants run the 235 75 15 size and if mine did i would go for BFG AT's as they are common in that size :thumbs

 

[danielj]

i am in the same position regarding tyre choice on my Ford Ranger also basically the same truck in the time honoured maverick/terrano way.

I carry some pretty heavy loads all the time and have no problen loade, and not relly ny problems with the back end sliding on the road, some of them have an LSD on the rear some dont, mine has so maybe that is the reason for different conrnering? maybe yours hasn't an LSd or has and it needs new oil? worht a thought.

I am currentl debating new tyres as i want more grip, its still running the factory standard bridgestone duellers, but dont want more road noise or less MPG as currently it had very good road manners. My yres are 265 70 16 and the choices are fewer, I have it on good authority fomr an experience 4x4 tyre fitter that 31 10 50 15 tyre will go striaght on with no issues and he recomends general grabber at2's, but i am dubious about changing from the manufacurers spec size.

having said that many of the Mazda variants run the 235 75 15 size and if mine did i would go for BFG AT's as they are common in that size :thumbs

You must have the later version Ford Ranger. Mine is probably similar to earlier versions (it's 2003) and came with 205 / 16 Bridgestone Duellers on stock steel rims when I got it. Couldn't live with the narrow wheels and didn't feel like I had any weight on the road at all with them. Got stuck in mud first time I had them off road so they had to go. Running 245 / 70 / 16's on alloys from a Trooper is putting me a good bit over stock size. Your stock size tyre / rims are obviously bigger than mine and I would expect that you can vary from the manufacturer's specs to some extent without any noticable effect. Don't know anything about whethre different offset because of changed wheels has much effect on handling though and maybe that is not helping on mine. Don't know? There should be a good selection of tyres at 265 / 70 / 16 I would have thought. Have a look at camskills website and punch in tyre size and see what's available. Also have a look at the tyre size calculator on the download section of the website as it's helpful in telling how different sizes of tyres compare to each other.
Have LSD on back and have changed the diff oil.