Hi From New Zealand.
My truck was stolen and burnt out 3 weeks ago, and I need to buy a cheap, good all rounder as a replacement.
I really want a 4x4 ute.
Utes (pickups) hold their value really well here and I am having trouble finding something I can afford.
I had my last vehicle, a Nissan Teranno (pathfinder?) for 10 years and I expected another couple before I had to start looking so I didnt plan on having to do this yet.
I have been offered a 1990 Mazda B2600 Bounty, its on 260000 km..... hang on let me convert that...... 160000 miles.
It looks pretty solid, bit of surface rust on the tray, it runs a bit rough on startup, but drives ok.
I'll be arranging for my mechanic to take a good look at it later this week, Is there anything I should direct him to pay close attention to?
What do I need to look for? what are the problem areas in this type of vehicle?

 

Ok here's what to look for. The heads have a bad habit of cracking due to overheating and abuse. The motors have a counter balance shaft that has a poor oiling system witch eats bearings and sends all the filings into the crank witch intern take out the crank. With this many miles find out if it has had a recent rebuild. I have done a delete on the shaft and changed the timing change to a stand alone system. The original timing belt runs the oil pump also so you can separate the two. The downside is if you don't do it yourself it is costly. With that many miles I would expect to rebuild it in the next 10,000 miles. Great trucks, bad motor design

 

the trucks have a good design, and with some modifications it can really work out. advance the timing 1 degree + for a better ignition and reduce internal tear. The engines are not build for hp but you can add 50 hp between the carb and aftermarket (theres another thread on it, but im forgetting what part it is) the engine if its a 4 cylinder with overhead camshaft, be carfull that the balancer CHAIN, there is no timing belt. but the balancer chain at the base of the timing belt is capable of going out. if hear a loud clanking noise, do not drive it. internal fuel pump needs to be replaced after 100,000 miles. the tranny is built great and the clutch hardly needs repairing. use 15W-30 or greater oil