New Guy from Arkansas, First Mazda...and My First Truck

Hey there guys, first off, I'm Chris and I'm from Northeast Arkansas. I'm a Senior in high school and I'm in the Arkansas National Guard. I love music, cars, sports, and girls SO onto the meat of this introduction, I bought my B2200 two weeks ago for $550 at our FFA Farm Auction. I know most farm vehicles are beat up but I was really happy with the condition of this one (with one large exception)..which is why I bought it I've never owned a truck before so I'm kinda new to this game but I'm a quick learner so I'll figure it all out. Truck came with the original window sticker, original dealer booklet, maintenance book, and some cool little Mazda pamphlets that came with the truck about the various warranties. So she's a 1988 Mazda B2200 2.2 all original interior/paint 186,xxx miles, burns some oil, but I assume that's par for the course for an 88, and the only major problem is the previous owner had a seizure and drove it into his porch, smashing the front passenger corner...which is why he decided to sell it. He was asking $1,750 but $550 cash talks to old farmers I have no problem doing the work as I'm almost finished restoring my 1980 Volkswagen Rabbit, but I could use some help pointing me in the right direction for parts and general knowledge about the B-Series trucks. I've been trying to decide whether I should look for a parts truck to repair the damage or if I can buy the parts new online. I've come across a new fender for only $40 so I would really only need the grille and bumper which I'm not sure yet if I can find new or not. I've got two friends who are collision repair/refinishers so I can do all the work with their help. Just need some assistance to find the parts, which is where you guys come in I suppose If you've got any questions or comments feel free to share them and I'll try and answer them to the best of my ability. All that's left for now is to show some pictures of it so I hope you guys enjoy it. Thanks, Chris.

from the looks you going to need a hood, bumper, fender,and bumper plastic, most of this can come from a parts truck but you may just want to run down to the pick a part and see if they have one you can get parts off of,or maybe someone on here has the parts you may need and are willing to sell them, i for one have a pass side fender and bumper plastic but i dont have a bumper if you want it, i have a grill but the corner lights have been shaved so the corners on the grill are cut off ,i have other parts to so just ask and i'll look and see if i got the one you need.......i live in clarksville, tn so shipping would be a little high for some things,unles you can make it here for some reason...not sure why you would come here this place sucks but......lol

Welcome to the scene!! Im sure you will find some parts on here or some great tips. I would just look for a new core support, hood, grille, fender, and bumper. Truck looks otherwise in great shape!

you are looking for rock auto, they have awesome pricing and a good website.
I have heard only bad things about the reproduction rad supports, I have heard they are over an inch too long, lol. If ya have some good help and are prewarned about the fitment issues, I dont see why ya couldnt make it work though.
Original parts are usually better, but the grille and bumper and bumper plastics I would get new for sure, and dont forget bumper mounting brackets, its hooped too.
strip the front clip all together and level the truck, take some reference measurements to make sure the unibody undersupport has not been tweaked, look for cracks and gaps in the seam sealer too, well I am prolly not tellin ya nuttin yer autobody friends wont. lol

Yeh and WELCOME!!!
Oh , and we like pics, lots of em!!!!

ya very good place

yeah that's where I had been told to look for parts

welcome man

Hey Bro Welcome, I got some kin folk down your way In Truman / Jonesburo area.. My Uncle lives in Truman and can Paint rather enexpencivly so hit me up and I'll see if he can hook a Brother up when your ready to Smack some color on the Beast.

And Again Welcome

Edward

Hey man, soo i'm dang glad i'm not the only bscener in arkansas i live near clinton, west of fairfield bay

YES WELCOME