PEAK PUTTERS

My hunting buddy is looking for a hunting / camping rig. 4x4, regular cab, pickup; he's found a 1998 Mazda B3000 on craigslist.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/1260253648.html

Any opinions on this? Spcifically the engine, drivetrain, etc. Not gonna be a wheelin' rig so much, just gotta get to where the birds are and back.

i have a buddy with one of theses and it seems like an ok rig
i was pretty underwelmed by the 3.0 v6 though i had an older mazda that had a 2600i and it seemed to have more power than his rig
i will say though that they are fairly capable and suprised the hell outta me

If the push button 4x4 uses the TC with the electric servo they can get dicey, mine works only after you tap the electric motor/servo with a hammer, I guess this is a common problem. I have 160K on a '93 ranger with the push button 4x4. With the low miles and being a '98 this might not be a problem though

Welllll. . .

Let's see. . .the 3.0 isn't fast, but it is reliable. Everything else should be good to go for what you are describing. The price seems a little high though.

A few of us Putters know 4x4 A-Arm Rangers pretty well. Ours seems to put up with the hell we put it through with only minor problems that this rig would never see (mostly related to shock loading and jumping). I'd actually love to have that truck. I did have a 98 3.0 2WD and wish I'd never sold it.

I have a buddy who 'wheeled a '85 Ranger 4x4 with the 2.9, he literally tried to blow it up several times, 5,000 rpm dumping the clutch, jumping, etc, it survived amazingly well, and kept up with V8, larger tired, locked up rigs. Goes to show wheelin' is 80% driver.

Thanks for the input guys. I think the owner of the 3.0 'Mazda' was a bit proud of it, but my buddy found a '98 4.0 Ranger he is pretty happy with. I look forward to seeing how it handles our hunting trips.

the 4.0 rigs are a power house imo and dare i say it (like them)


(GM family)