Toyota and Nissan 4×4 pickups from the ’80s are still fairly common here. But a Mazda 2600i 4×4? It’s been a while, so finding this nicely-preserved example was a bit of a refresher course. Like the fact that the hood bulge and “2600i” badge means that it’s from 1988 or later, as the 1986-1987 2600 4×4 used the venerable Mitsubishi G54B 2.6L four as used in so many Chrysler products and of course Mitsubishi itself. Since Mazda’s biggest four at the time was only 2.0L big, they borrowed the Mitsu 2.6 for two years until their own new G6 2.6L four was ready in 1988. Hence the “B2600i” badge and the bulge in the hood.
The new 1986 B series pickup was a welcome improvement over its quite aged predecessor, that was built with some refreshes all the way from 1965 until 1985. It was also sold as the Ford Courier here. A tough little truck, but outdated. And it never came in 4×4 guise.
This new B Series was a big improvement in terms of ride, comfort, handling and all-round likeability.
And performance improved with the new 2.6L four, an engine without any real vices, not surprisingly.
The SE-5 was of course a riff on Toyota’s popular SR-5 series.
I had never noticed the bulge that came along with the new 2.6 engine. Was it really that much taller?
The irony of course was that starting 1994, Mazda could no longer justify the incremental costs of their own pickup for the US, and reverted to badging a Ford Ranger, the inverse of how it all started. For the rest of its markets, this generation was built until 1998, when it was replaced by a new generation that was also sold internationally as the (non-US) Ford Ranger.
The perfect truck. A 4 cylinder for good mileage, a 5 speed to make the most of the power, 4wd fornwhen the going gets tough, and a standard cab to keep it light. I love it.
Back when I was a freshman in high school I used to carpool to band practice in one of these with an older friend. Technically it was his dad’s truck; he didn’t have his own car yet. It was three of us squeezed across that bench seat in that regular cab — him, another freshman friend, and me. Once or twice he gave a ride to some girl, which made for four of us crammed into that cab. Thankfully I was rather skinny back then.
I remember looking at the first Mazda 4X4 pickups at the L.A. Auto Show back in 1986, and thinking that 2.6L’s valve cover looked exactly like the one on a Mitsubishi Mighty-Max or Dodge Ram-50 2.6L. A friend had a late 80’s B2000 and it was a fine little truck, the only negative thing about it was dealer-only parts were very expensive. At least it didn’t need much in the way of repairs.
I was surprised that when cross shopping the B2200 with the 86 1/2 Nissan Hardbody back in the day that these still had choke knob on the dash. They were my first choice on style alone.
I knew these were kind of crude mechanically, but I’m surprised that any vehicle sold in the US still had a manual choke knob by the mid-80’s.
I agree they were, and still are, handsome trucks.
My wife had a model year 1987 Mazda pickup when we met and it did not have a manual choke.
I didn’t pay super close attention to trucks back then but I still believe that the majority of Mazda trucks were two-wheel drive out here in Rustopia.
The 2wd trucks with the Mazda 2.0L or 2.2L engine seem to be a little robust and long lived than the Mitsubishi powered ones.
My dad had one exactly like this one, only black. Said it’s his favorite truck he ever had. Never got to see it in person unfortunately.
The CC effect at work again, I happened to be at the junkyard today and came across one of these this morning! I took a look at it as they are in fact not too common. Mine was white and quite beat but the badging was still there…Nice little trucks!
Last December I brought JDM used import 92 Mazda Proceed for the sum of around US$500, (NZ$800) with a very tired smokey 2.6i, it has done exactly 371,111km.
Thanks to regular driving it isn’t that smokey now but still burns a huge amount of oil.
I brought it for dump runs and picking up building supplies locally so the engine doesn’t bother me and seems to be running well, uses no water and should last if I regularly check the oil.
I have been keeping an eye for another engine but they seem to be both uncommon and in demand.
Locally they were called B2600i, I keep forgetting it’s a Proceed as I associate it with Mazda’s answer to the Toyota 4runner/Hilux Surf and Nissans Pathfinder/Terrano – the Proceed Marvie.
An old Marvie will be the most likely candidate for a donor engine.
Its got the factory delete rear bumper option and came with the large wheels which I’m not sure are Mazda, could be Ford Courier/Ranger, perhaps Toyota, Nissan.
Despite the tired 2.6 it was a bargain and glad its wasn’t a double cab as the tray is decent size.
Locally any small Japanese truck even with high ks, rust, and a gutless non turbo diesel etc.. is worth a small fortune especially if its 4×4 and a Toyota.
Annoying my post didn’t include the photo I uploaded.
I’ll try again
And again
It’s likely too large, you might try saving a copy as “small” or “medium”. The uploader can adjust images automatically for a post itself but not in a comment.
Popular here but preferable in turbo diesel the gas engines simply dont go that well and when they rebadged them Ranger later on the V6 gas engine was dropped from the range because the 3,0 tdi had more grunt
I have a 89 Mazda b2600i that we are rebuilding and restoring. After some time I was able to find a crankshaft that will help in the engine rebuild. It was my dads old truck and the motor blew and he was going to junk it.I asked him if I could have it and he said it wasn’t work trying to fix. He passed away before he could and my mom said I could have it. So now I’m going to fix it up paint it and have one of the sweetest rides. I’m so excited!
My son drives this little Hulk! 1989 B2600i 4×4 MAZDA. 5 speed Manuel. He’s desperately looking to replace the unique distributor. If anyone knows where he can locate one, it would be much appreciated.
Ma’am, Rock Auto or Ebay Motors. I know O’Reilly’s has stepped up to adding additional parts. But, Rock Auto com should have it. I have an 89 B26000i myself. Been looking for a few parts or a couple for parts myself.Would love to build one of my dreams.
Nice truck! They’re great. Same color Blue on mine too. 😉
Wish a former Mazda 4×4 racer still offered parts, kits & upgrades.
Best of Luck!
I own a 89 Mazda b2600i to this day I’ve had it for close to 15 years now. It’s been stolen and I got it back. Its barely hit 120k miles it’s not even broken in. It’s been parked more than I’ve driven it. I am Second original owner 1st owner was an elderly man who was a friend of the family. It was inherited.
For those looking for older B series Mazda parts I ran across this site looking for outboard motor parts. They are an import company direct from Japan, Yumbo-Jp.com.. My father has a 92 B2600i 2wd standard cab long bed auto that he’s restoring.
I’ve ordered from them and they are legit.