Miata Truck

I am at a crossroad in my life. I want another Miata but I also want a small fuel efficient truck. I decided to have both, in one vehicle.

First a very well used and rarely maintained $400 dollar Miata. The weight reduction and clearance for the new body has begun.

The truck is a Ford Courier (really a Mazda to keep it in the family) from a local salvage yard. It has been sitting in the woods since 2005.

I already like where this is going.

Lots of cleaning and today there will be lots of cleaning. I forgot to mention my ridiculous goals:

1. Complete for less than $1000

2. Finish in 1 week

Well are you done yet?

Wow. Love this project.

Yes!

Love this. Is it done yet?!?

You're ambitious! It would take me more than a week to make a work space in the garage

I also love the idea.

Sweet jeebus.

Can't wait to see the final build.

Well damn, I suppose someone had to do it eventually.

you are gonna need this truck to haul around all its greatness when its done.

While we're waiting, here's how you do it with a Datsun.

http://community.ratsun.net/topic/7446-project-mx520-top-secret/

In reply to jstancel:

Finished in a week!
Under $1,000
That will give you ample time to then head down to The Challenge in Gainesville, FL on Sept 30th with the completed truck.
Guaranteed magazine coverage and highly likely for additional feature space within the magazine.

This also puts you in a perfect position to return again the following year, even more improved, to The Challenge and compete in the much rumored Pickup Truck sub-class of 2017.

I am in awe of your work speed.

How are you going to rectify the wheelbase?

NA miata 89.2 inches

Courier 104 inches

Apexcarver wrote: How are you going to rectify the wheelbase? NA miata 89.2 inches Courier 104 inches

Like this, Maybe?

Subscribed

Oh this looks like fun.

volvoclearinghouse wrote:

Apexcarver wrote: How are you going to rectify the wheelbase? NA miata 89.2 inches Courier 104 inches

Like this, Maybe?

An old truck box would probably be the easiest altered wheelbase job ever. Though shortening the box itself wouldn't be much more work and it would be lighter.

Keith Tanner wrote: While we're waiting, here's how you do it with a Datsun. http://community.ratsun.net/topic/7446-project-mx520-top-secret/

Not sure why I like this as much as I do, but man, I want to get behind the wheel of that thing!

Apexcarver wrote: How are you going to rectify the wheelbase? NA miata 89.2 inches Courier 104 inches

Put the cab on then build one of these over whatever is left uncovered behind the cab?

Man, I love this forum!

I to am curious about the wheel base problem... I suspect, section the truck body up and weld it back to gether... maybe as a uni-body?

Now, I wanna build one... like it wasn't already hard enough to ignore the cheap Miatas

The wheelbase is easily fixed by making a shorter bed.

My real issue of the day was the width of the rocker panels. I looked up track width and it seemed like everything would jive. I was wrong! The rockers were several inches more narrow on the Courier compared to the Miata. With the width of the truck rockers and the general deplorable condition I decided to punt on the Courier. This means I am back on the hunt for a new truck.

If the measurement issue was not embarrassing enough, I lost a strap holding the cab in my bed which landed me here.

Best laid plans....don't punt. Fourth and long. GO FOR IT!!!!!!

What if you keep the Miata front end, but graft the bed on the back?