Some newbie questions

My son is looking to get a mazda ext cab the 88 to whatever, and I got a couple of questions. We were going to restore a camaro but with gas prices what they are a four banger camaro aint that cool. So

1. What are you guys getting for mileage in these, with which motor and tranny.

2. What is a reasonable wheel size to run on a bagged, and bodydropped truck, and not have to much hassle turning? We were leaning towards an 18 front 20 rear combo.

And here is the arbitrary question but what are these things going for, there aren't any extended cabs for sale locally right now. What we have found is a reg cab 4x4 that a friends got I think I can pick up cheap and then a ext 2x in a junkyard, the guy thinks he's got the title, the cab is decent, and I could pick it up for $300, but there is a lot of pieces missing. We want to swap to the reg cab bed and 4x4 sheetmetal anyway I thought maybe this wouldn't be a bad way to go.

Okay unless you are going to back half the truck the reg cab box will not fit on the ext.cab. second if you are going to be bagging and bodydropping your ride I would stick with 17 or 18 inch wheels alot less hassle and for milage I myself can not say as I have a 350 TPI out of a corvette in mine but I do beleive the little 4 bangers get great gas milage and I would suggest that you make sure it is a stick as I have heard and riden in a couple of autos and they are gutless compared to the stick. Price wise I have seen them going for $1200 but I have gotten cheaper and in pretty good shape and 4x4 in my area are like gold bro.

Ya I know about the beds being different. Probably a 3/4 frame for a sfbd. I had one back in the early 90's with a 2.2 and 5 speed. But back then I didn't pay attention to mileage. 18's in the front is alright with bodydrop? And it looks from what I've read on here that you can do 18's with stock front end components, is that right? Not worried about cheapest or easiest, more the best way without having to worry about stuff.

yeah 18s with stock parts easy to drive with.

I like that answer.

And we like the looks of the reg cab bed over the ext that's why we want to swap that.

If u stay with the stock Nikki carb on a 2200 engine,expect doggie poop for mileage and kitty poo for performance.I was getting 17-18 mpg on my 92 2200 with automatic.I went to a Weber carb (esy swap),modified the engine a bit,retained the automatic and I now get 23-24 around town.Dont drive it on the road so I dont know milege there.Truck is easier to start,performs better although it still isnt going to win drag races.I run 245x16 Falken tires on 16 inch Centerline wheels and that is a good combo for me and doesnt look like "hey big wheels,where u goin with that little truck." Lol.BJ

I remember my 88 with the 5 speed wasn't bad on power. But that was a long time ago(for me anyway).

My 86 B2000 5spd got 18 city 22/23 hwy It had a stock carb and no cat with a Flowmaster! Dont know yet on my 2200 still puttn it together!

I'm really hoping better than that.