Mazda B-Series

1986 Mazda B2000 extended cab

From the first B-Series pickup truck, Mazda has used the engine displacement to determine the name. Thus, the B1500 had a 1.5 L engine, and the new B4000 has a 4.0 L V6. For 2002, the name was changed to simply Mazda Truck in the United States. Mazda's partnership with Ford has resulted in the sharing of this vehicle—the Mazda B-Series and Ford Ranger are essentially the same after 1994.

In Japan, Mazda uses the Proceed name on its compact pickup trucks, and another line of larger trucks is available called the Mazda Titan. Other names used for this line include Mazda Bravo (Australia), Mazda Bounty (New Zealand), and Mazda Drifter (South Africa). However, it should be borne in mind that the Mazda B-Series and Ford Ranger twins found inside North America are unrelated to the ones sold elsewhere. Those are engineered by Mazda, whereas the North American models are developed by Ford.

According to Autoline Detroit, the Mazda B Series is the worst selling vehicle currently on the market.

1972

The B-Series was introduced to the United States with the 1972 B1600. It was joined in 1974 by the similar rotary-powered Rotary Pickup. The engine was enlarged to 1.8 L for 1977's B1800.

Engines:

• 1972-1976 - 1.6 L (1586 cc) I4
• 1977-1979 - 1.8 L (1796 cc) 1800 I4

1980

The 1980 B2000 used a 2.0 liter F/MA engine, replacing the B1800. The 2.2 L B2200 joined this truck in 1982. The US B-Series continued through 1985, one year past the international version, though the 2.0 L engine was updated that year.

The B-2000 was also available in a long bed version which was given the model name Sundowner - a reference to nomadic Australian herders who would make camp wherever they were at sundown.

Engines:

• 1980-1984 - 2.0 L (1970 cc) F/MA I4
• 1985 - 2.0 L (1998 cc) FE I4
• 1982-1985 - 2.2 L (2209 cc) I4

1986

A new B-Series was introduced in 1986 and was produced until 1991. A 4-speed automatic transmission was the primary choice, with a 5-speed manual transmission through 1990. Part-time four wheel drive was another option. The 2.6 L Mitsubishi-powered B2600 was introduced in 1987. This year also saw the Mazda straight-4 enlarged to 2.2 L in the B2200, with the smaller engine phased out after that year. The Mitsubishi engine was gone for 1989, replaced by a new family of Mazda powerplants.

Engine options:

• B2000
  • 1985-1986 - 2.0 L (1998 cc) FE I4
• B2200
  • 1987-1991 - 2.2 L (2209 cc) F2 I4, 85 hp
• B2600
  • 1987-1988 - 2.6 L (2555 cc) G54B I4, 102 hp
  • 1989-1991 - 2.6 L (2606 cc) G6 I4, 121 hp

1992

The 1992 Proceed/B-Series was updated again but had a short life in North America, where it was replaced by a Ford Ranger twin in 1994. However, this version continued to the end of the decade in most other countries, including Japan.

Engine options:

• B2200
  • 1992–1993 - 2.2 L (2184 cc) F2 I4, 85 hp
• B2600
  • 1992–1993 - 2.6 L (2606 cc) G6 I4, 121 hp

1994

The North American 1994 Proceed/B-Series was new, the design having been merged with the Ford Ranger. Mazda continued to manufacture its own trucks in Japan and elsewhere, but for the North American market, the design was shared, as were the engines. The new B3000 and B4000 boasted large Ford V6 engines, and the manual transmission returning to the options sheet. Extended cab models were available, as was all wheel drive, and two trim lines, LE and SE. The 3.0 L B3000 was dropped for 1997, and the entire line was refreshed after that year.

Engine options:

• B2300
  • 1994 - 2.3 L (2311 cc) OHC I4, 98 hp
  • 1995-1997 - 2.3 L (2311 cc) OHC I4, 112 hp
• B3000
  • 1994 - 3.0 L (2983 cc) Vulcan V6, 140 hp
  • 1995-1996 - 3.0 L (2983 cc) Vulcan V6, 145 hp
• B4000
  • 1994-1997 - 4.0 L (4016 cc) Cologne V6, 160 hp

1998

North America saw an entirely new Ranger/Proceed/B-Series again for 1998, with a larger base engine. An available 5-speed automatic transmission was a novelty. The 1999 B-Series added four doors, a first in the extended-cab pickup truck market. A refresh and updated 4.0 L V6 came in 2001.

Engine options:

• B2500
  • 1998-2001 - 2.5 L (2507 cc) OHC I4, 119 hp
• B3000
  • 1998-2001 - 3.0 L (2957 cc) Vulcan V6, 150 hp
• B4000
  • 1998-2000 - 4.0 L (4025 cc) Cologne V6, 160 hp
  • 2001 - 4.0 L (4025 cc) Cologne V6, 207 hp

2002

Engine options:

• 2002-2004 - 2.3 L (2300 cc) I4, 135 hp
• 2002-2003 - 3.0 L (2957 cc) Vulcan V6, 147 hp
• 2004 - 3.0 L (2957 cc) Vulcan V6, 154 hp
• 2002-2004 - 4.0 L (4025 cc) Cologne V6, 207 hp