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Mazda B-Series (North American)
Overview
Manufacturer	Mazda (pre 1993) Ford Motor Company (post 1993)
Production	1972–2010
Body and chassis
Class	Pickup truck

See Mazda B-Series (International) for the non-North American version.

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 I4 engine, and the 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).

First generation (1972–1979)

The B-Series was introduced to the United States with the 1972 B1600 (Mazda B1600s were sold as badge-engineered Ford Couriers with a Ford-styled grille similar to the full-size F-series). 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

Second generation (1980–1985)

Second generation B2000, B2200
Overview
Production	1980–1985
Assembly	Hiroshima, Japan
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door compact in standard and long bed
Layout	FR layout
Related	Ford Courier
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L F/MA I4 2.0 L FE I4 2.2 L I4
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed automatic 5-speed manual

The 1980 B2000 used a 2.0 liter F/MA engine, replacing the B1800. The diesel 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 B2000 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 - diesel 2.2 L (2209 cc) I4 59 hp

Third generation (1986–1993)

Third generation B2000, B2200, B2600
Overview
Production	1986–1993
Assembly	Hiroshima, Japan
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door compact
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L FE I4 2.2 L F2 I4 2.6 L G54B I4 2.6 L G6 I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.7" 117.5" 109.3" 118.1"
Length	182.7" 198.8"
Width	65.7" 67.1"
Height	61.8" 61.6" 66.1" 65.9"

A new B-Series was introduced in 1986 and was produced until 1993. A 4-speed automatic transmission or a 5-speed manual transmission were offered. Part-time four wheel drive was an option. The 2.6 L Mitsubishi-powered B2600 was introduced in 1987. This year also saw the Mazda 2.2 L straight-4 being offered in the B2200, with the smaller 2.0 L engine phased out later. The Mitsubishi engine was gone for 1989, replaced by a new family of Mazda powerplants. The Nikki carburetors were phased out in the 1991 model years in favour of EFI (fuel injection).

Engine options:

• B2000
  • 1986-1987 - 2.0 L (1998 cc) FE I4
• B2200
  • 1987-1991 - 2.2 L (2184 cc) F2 I4, 85 hp (63 kW)
  • 1992-1993 - 2.2 L (2184 cc) F2 I4, electronic fuel injection, 93 hp (69 kW)
• B2600
  • 1987-1988 - 2.6 L (2555 cc) G54B I4, 102 hp (76 kW)
  • 1989-1993 - 2.6 L (2606 cc) G6 I4, 121 hp (90 kW)

Fourth generation (1994–1997)

Fourth generation B2300, B3000, B4000
Overview
Production	1994–1997
Assembly	St. Paul, Minnesota, United States Edison, New Jersey, United States
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door compact 2-door extended
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Related	Ford Ranger
Powertrain
Engine	2.3 L OHC I4 3.0 L Vulcan V6 4.0 L Cologne V6
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed M5OD-R1 manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	108.2" 125.4" 107.9" 125.2"
Length	184.5" 202.7"
Width	69.4"
Height	67.5" 64.1"

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 M5OD-R1 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 (73 kW)
  • 1995-1997 - 2.3 L (2311 cc) OHC I4, 112 hp (84 kW)
• B3000
  • 1994 - 3.0 L (2983 cc) Vulcan V6, 140 hp (104 kW)
  • 1995-1996 - 3.0 L (2983 cc) Vulcan V6, 145 hp (108 kW)
• B4000
  • 1994-1997 - 4.0 L (4016 cc) Cologne V6, 160 hp (119 kW)

Fifth generation (1998–2010)

Fifth generation B2300, B2500, B3000, B4000
Overview
Production	1998–2010
Assembly	St. Paul, Minnesota, United States Edison, New Jersey, United States
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door compact 2-door extended
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Related	Ford Ranger Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Powertrain
Engine	2.3 L Duratec I4 2.5 L OHC I4 3.0 L Vulcan V6 4.0 L Cologne V6
Transmission	5-speed automatic 5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	111.6" 125.9" 125.7"
Length	187.7" 87.5" 202.9" 201.7"
Width	69.4" 70.3"
Height	64.9" 68" 64.8" 67.9"

North America saw a redesigned new Ranger/Proceed/B-Series again for 1998, with a larger base engine. A 5-speed automatic transmission was available. The 1999 B-Series added four doors, a first in the extended-cab pickup truck market. In 2001 a more powerful SOHC version of the 4.0 L V6 replaced the old OHV engine, while Ford's Duratec engine replaced the ancient Lima engine in four-cylinder models the following year. 2008 was the last year for 3.0 L B-series trucks. For 2009, the B4000 Cab Plus SE model was discontinued in the United States market. The full B-Series lineup was discontinued, in the United States, at the end of the 2009 model year, while the Ford Ranger remains in production. As of 2010, the B-Series lineup continues to be sold in Canada.

Engine options:

• B2500
  • 1998-2001 - 2.5 L (2507 cc) OHC I4, 119 hp (89 kW)
• B2300
  • 2002-2010 - 2.3 L (2300 cc) Duratec I4, 143 hp (107 kW)
• B3000
  • 1998-2001 - 3.0 L (2957 cc) Vulcan V6, 150 hp (112 kW)
  • 2002-2003 - 3.0 L (2957 cc) Vulcan V6, 147 hp (110 kW)
  • 2004-2008 - 3.0 L (2957 cc) Vulcan V6, 154 hp (115 kW)
• B4000
  • 1998-2000 - 4.0 L (4025 cc) Cologne V6, 160 hp (119 kW)
  • 2001-2010 - 4.0 L (4025 cc) Cologne V6, 207 hp (154 kW)

Mazda Rotary Pickup (1947-1977)

The Rotary Pickup (REPU) from Mazda was the world's first and only Wankel engined pickup truck. It was sold from 1974 to 1977 and appears to have been available only in the United States and Canada. Toyo Kogyo (Mazda) made trucks for Ford in the Courier as well as its own Mazda B-Series. These trucks shared many of the same parts, but the Rotary Engined Pickup (REPU) had a 4-port 13B 4-barrel carbureted engine, flared fenders, battery mounted under the bed, a different dash, front grille, and round taillights.

It is estimated that just over 15,000 total units were built. Most were made for the 1974 model year, due to the energy crisis putting a damper on sales, Mazda restamped many of the 1974 models with a prefix "S" designating it as a "1975" model. Approximately 700 units were built for the 1976 model year. Mazda invested in a moderate redesign for the 1977 model, updating electrical systems, adding an additional 4 inches (100 mm) cab stretch for more comfort, and adding a 5-speed manual transmission with different differential gearing. However, after about 3,000 units, the REPU was discontinued due to poor sales.

Road & Track magazine was impressed with the "smooth, quiet power" and the "nice" interior. Price at the time was about US$3500, and observed fuel economy was 16.5 miles per US gallon (14.3 L/100 km; 19.8 mpg_‑imp).

Most of the trucks are found on the west coast of the US, and they continue to be sought out by enthusiasts.

Like many of the other Mazda rotary vehicles, the REPU was raced. Its most notable finish was an overall victory at the 1975 SCCA Mojave 24 Hour Rally at the hands of drivers Malcolm Smith and Jack Sreenan.

References

1. Bengt Halvorson (2009-09-21). "B-Series, B-Seeing You: Mazda Leaves U.S. Pickup Market". The Car Connection. Retrieved 2009-10-09.

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