Full Build: Mazda B2500 Brings the Thunder Becoming A Ford Lightning - Part 2

Time for more Mazda Mayhem - it's part 2! The guys work on the body of the Mazda B2500-turned-Lightning also known as Project Rolling Thunder! Then, it's time to take it to the track.
Watch Part 1: • Full Build: Mazda B250...

[@DasGav]

These blokes are great hosts! They know their shit and the presentation doesn't feel forced. I'm going to binge watch these

[@mazyata9958]

These guys are awesome. Watched them when I had cable tv. Even better now with full builds without waiting a week for. KZbinrs should take notice. Straight to the point, no begging, dancing, crying, moaning, drama, and garbage that has nothing to to with the subject.

[@bradleyborrowman2115]

These guys have dozens of sponsors with, in turn, dozens of multi thousand dollar sponsorships that are already contracted because of their guaranteed airtime. Smaller influencers have to rely on subscriber donations or be lucky to get one or two sponsorships, yeah it gets a bit annoying sometimes but just skip through them 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@alkinkade]

Great Work, Just an old Retired Trucker, who been raised in Pomona, California. Winter Nationals, Dad in a Pickup Truck Club. 56 Ford, with a 327 Chevy drivetrain. Custom Built... Love Y'all and Keep on Trucken.

[@ryanunderwood4202]

This has got to be the best, most ambitious, project you guys ever did...... amazing!

[@quickdeuce]

@Dobbies Revenge Yeah, we figured that out as the video moved along. :)

[@rgreerjr]

@Dobbies Revenge you do know this channel is a part of the powernation youtube, right. lol

[@Nordestada]

I'm no mechanic or race driver but I can appreciate all the work and investment you put into this truck. Very instructive for anybody that wants to learn how to do it.

[@The_SUV_Guy]

9

[@OldMan854]

Really really wish I’d had all of the tips/tricks, products, and materials available now, back when I was younger and capable of working on this stuff. I’m 73 and extremely jealous of people in this generation!

[@dwp139]

By far, this was the best truck these two built from start to finish. What an amazing autocross-style Ranger.

[@bmstylee]

It was. Now days it would be drop it and call it a performance mod, make it look like a rust bucket and call it done. Super Dually was a killer build as well.

[@ThatGuy-ql5uw]

I honestly agree with you. I have watched this show ever since it first aired. By far one of the best builds I've ever seen them build

[@tbozzz8785]

Gorgeous, those were my plans for the truck in my profile picture, but she just sits still to this day, a 2000 5spd 2.5, only 78k on orig motor/trans. I'm second owner but she got parked due to the frame around the leaf spring shackles/brackets rotting out (live in upper new england) so that's normal, but someday she'll get the love and time it deserves, this just reignites the dream so thank you for posting this.

[@jessemitchell4228]

The frames disconnect by rivets

[@cokeboy4208]

I just spent 5 hours watching this build. Absolutely amazing

[@brianbowles9239]

You must have been at work 🤣

[@davidbrown4538]

Same

[@horchhaychinglong7937]

The

[@horchhaychinglong7937]

l

[@harryfp1494]

@@brianbowles9239 same lmao 711 just paid for this

[@BucksSuperStereoWorld]

I can't believe how detailed y'all are at explaining how to do this custom metal work. I wish I had seen this episode back a few years ago when I replaced the quarter panel skins on my 709 whp EJ8 Civic coupe. They really weren't badly rusted at all, but I wanted it to look it's best before I repainted it, I bought new quarter panel skins and paid my buddy to bodywork them in after I spot welded it.

[@anonymousplanetfambly4598]

This was the best YT video I've seen in YEARS. It takes a lot for me to watch a video that's longer than 5 minutes, but I watched this entire video in one sitting...all 2.5+ hours of it. Quality material! I'm keeping lots of ideas to use in my personal projects.

[@quickdeuce]

Excellent-build. Loved the finished truck. Can only imagine how cool it is to drive this sweet ride. Thanks Gunpower & Gasoline.

[@poormiserablesinner4600]

Got to admit, at the start, seeing that firewall being chopped up I thought " man they just ruined a perfectly good Mazda B2500. But in the end WOW kudos to you guys.

[@robertt9342]

Well… it was a b2500… it’s pretty cool, but it’s definitely not a B2300 or Ranger

[@Darth-.-Vaper]

1:40:17 looks like a fire to me. Else a real short short circuit to frame. You could have made the bracket secure to negative terminal for a solid chasis ground.

[@ThatGuy-ql5uw]

I have been a huge fan of this show for a very long time. To see you guys turn this truck into a beast is just amazing. Great job guys. 👍

[@justinelliott8447]

I love watching these full builds

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Me too Justin!

[@bmstylee]

I would like to see some Stacey David complete builds but he never finishes anything.

[@tmonster2247]

Awesome build, I never imagined a Ford Ranger can be built to handle that well…So much engineering and experience…It’s truly a work of art…Glad y’all drove it like it was intended

[@CMDR_CLASSIFIED]

Pro tip: If you put time stamps in the description, KZbin will automatically add them to the timeline. You could do them as per each episode.

[@mr_cupcakes1808]

@01:36:00 bro said it's got 270 bucks on the bumper... hell yeah and then you can count some 1200 bucks for labour and you're set that thing's a beauty, been binge watching this series

[@kululv]

great build and great videos! I love the independent rear suspension and all the cool suspension modifications. Love all the great body work advise and the cool fender mods front and rear! The only thing i wished you guys would have done, is a transaxle instead of the front transmission. That would have been very interesting and would have helped hugely with weight distribution.

[@sand450rstar]

Idk if you know but this build was over 15 years ago. But by far one of my favorite builds ever!

[@Doosterify]

Excellent engineering and workmanship. I'm a long time metal worker also. I started when I was a kid in the 70s hacking crap. Yeah I was rough and did a lot of crappy work. Anyway I stuck with it and honed my skills. In 1995 I went to work in the automotive racing industry and I've been forming and working metal since then. Now I'm teaching young fellas and gals how to do it and your videos are very important and good. Thank you for excellent videos that clearly show how to get it done right.

[@gabrielruzzi4452]

These full build series are the best!!! Keep them coming!!!!

[@bmstylee]

I'm hoping for Super Dually or Banana Split. I mean how can you not like a 50 Ford cruiser?

[@brandengarrod5179]

Plpppplp

[@RazoE]

Watched all 5 hours or so of this build 😮 absolutely amazing

[@wolfman2342]

I can't thank yall enough for the superb work and info and putting it all together in a video like this for free!!! Every time I need some motivation to get back working on my projects I watch one of your videos and these full builds are the best !! God bless

[@bazd]

Cool great detailed description, skills & fantastic project! All the best from Scotland from Baz & Fred (assistance spaniel)!!

[@ProjectNemesis92]

Kevin Tetz if you ever see this we miss you in these shows man! I personally like your work ethics.

[@jeanjeudi1111]

Skillful guys, impressive. Excellent job on the fender / bodywork.

[@saullopez6942]

This makes me want to tear apart my b2500 and beef it up lol. Great build!

[@jtbbrown3457]

That fleece trick is genius!!!

[@ryurc3033]

When I did my truck flat black, me and my 10 year old son bought a gallon of rustoleum semigloss and a quart of thinner, and rollers. Ive never had so much fun. And it was amazingly durable. Like doesnt show brush scratches hardly at all

[@southjerseysound7340]

I did a s 10 back in the day with rustoleom and it actually came out amazing. It was 10 times better than a maaco job and I've done quite a few since including about 20 yellow 🚖 crown vics. Sprayed generally looks better than rolling or brushing and I tell people to not expect more than 5 years out of it. But like everything it's all in the prep work and it's a great inexpensive to seal and protect body work from absorbing moisture. Lastly it's a great project to do with kids........ My oldest daughter loves helping and there's no worries if you mess up because it's so cheap and realitively safe to use. I actually let my 9 year old daughter do a mural on the S10 we're doing now. She made a city scape of buildings down the side that is surprisingly good 😆

[@duckdldljimenez7416]

@@southjerseysound7340 m

[@denniscarreno5882]

You guys are the best…..there is no such thing as difficult job and resolving problems….

[@connorbosworth7318]

I've been looking at all kinds of different bodykit components for my S10 when I get started on it and haven't found quite the right one. I almost died laughing at the snuggie front bumper! And I'm 100% doing that for my truck now.

[@TenheadLife]

Just found you guys. Truly epic truck you’ve created and definitely one of a kind!

[@jmanthatsall441]

I remember the first time I saw them preview the original build. By far my favorite and good to see this later addition. Reminds me of the SVO splash ranger around 94-95 that never was .

[@captaingti]

Omg I can’t believe you have these. I am never gonna get anything done, and I love you lol.

[@TheEllis197]

Apparently these have been playing all night while I was sleeping, dreamt about building cars 😂

[@jn8601]

This was an amazing engineering experience!

[@bmstylee]

After Ranger Resurrection on Xtreme 4x4 this might be my favorite build. Banana Split and Super Dually are close behind.

[@1dollarten]

Such amazing engineering build quality and craftsmanship . Throw in some artistic quality as well .👍🏻

[@curvs4me]

That's the sweetest truck build I've ever seen. You guys gotta start timing build finishes lol. So many times you're fighting rain.

[@sandraherdman3783]

I've been using Eastwood for years, their a great company with good people.Im glad to see them grow. This truck needs a hood scoop,, decrete like on the tundra,s

[@young11984]

Those ducts on the bed will cool the brakes but also should have left a small opening in the back or have something to plug off the back of that duct to keep those pockets from being 2 small parachutes, a small open slot will relieve the pressure in back and also feed the brakes. Bad ass build regardless and would love to take a ride in it for sure

[@spideybrent]

Hello from Moosomin ,Saskatchewan, Canada Great videos you put out thanks for sharing.

[@captaindrp82]

i respect the work that went into this, a V8 is cool and with V8 sound of course it sounds good. but in the game of weight Vs. power i would have went with a crate option of a ford turbo 4cyl either 2.0 or 2.3 or TT V6 in a 3.0 or 3.5. the 3.0 TT V6 is capable of making more than that 500 some odd HP with tuning and better than stock intercooling. Add race or full E85 fueling and that climbs even more. the weight savings and way more torque would make it quicker on the track. i wish i could have finished the 2000 ranger project i started with the 4.0 V6 of the day with a similar outcome in mind. but hey life gets in the way...many a car guys story. all in all, awesome build and keep the full build vids coming

[@XloMotion]

Watched the whole thing in 2 days and as a ford ranger edge owner I just drooled.

[@2H2521]

Kevin is insanely talented.

[@billymanilli]

That truck looks SOOOOO good with the front wheels where they are now! They shoulda made the original Ranger and Mazdas with that wheelbase :D

[@HammerRocks]

Love these full builds. I wouldn't been able to stand waiting years to see this get finished (as mentioned in this video that it took years to complete, meaning this build must have been originally broadcasted over a couple of years) - yikes! The end result is a clean, nice looking truck. Though I'm so over black. It seems every build these days are black. Other than the paint colour, I'm digging this truck. 👍👌

[@Lplaterwrx]

I reckon a dark pearl blue would look sick on the b2500

[@thercbarn5001]

It took 3 and half seasons to build it. I'm pretty sure it was the mid 90s. Flat black was all the rage back then. Even Boyd did a few.

[@aaron62877]

​@@thercbarn5001This build was finished in either 2012 or 2013.

[@andrewrpena1]

Wow 2.5 yrs to build ❗No wonder it took 5hrs to watch the whole series. 👏

[@MackHeath-ns7ly]

OK after seeing this Video again i figured out 1 thing if i owned a Truck like this it would be my daily driver cause it seems to be Awesome as Hell and it is worth the time and all I can say is keep up the Good work cause ya out did yourselves on this Beast

[@docsgearheadgaming2503]

Big help for racing a vehicle is have both hands on the wheel lmao. Great build

[@jameshatton4211]

This thing is something else! Wow! I know the satin colour has been chosen.....but something about me wants to see what this thing looks like bright red? Red isn't even my favourite colour either? Blue or ivory are my usual choices.....I just think this thing would look epic bright red and keep all the black accents, no stripes but maybe that typical cobra style snake but have it encircling a lighting bolt (similar to the Kangaroo with wheels doing a burnout we have on our Australian Ford GTs) or even put our Room with wheels as a badge that would really get people talking as it's an official Ford badge and emblem 😎 no side stripes And powder coated black wheel centres 👌🤤

[@Yaboypepah]

I was close to having a seizure when he was welding on 12:30😂

[@harryfp1494]

I was just telling my girlfriend about copperhead and how I got to see it in person in Nashville in like 2009 at a concept auto show still to this day one of my talking points I love that truck I love this show . Miss ya Jesse can’t talk about these shows without talking about her . Rip

[@baddriver3580]

If I ever hit the Lottery, I will do this to my old Ranger Edge....lol.

[@johnsmith-qz4bv]

awesome build guys

[@bigwilly43729]

This is weirdly one of my favorite builds, and I don’t even own or want a truck.

[@frmula1fan51]

Love the videos. Love the bumper music - A+!

[@renatoruiz3392]

AWESOME truck out from an AWESOME GUYS...!!! ❤❤❤

[@Kernalpanik]

2 and a half years on that truck is crazy

[@ClearwaterChad]

Truck-Stang is a dream Truck great job!!

[@mtnmosin2740]

Gages are a nice touch, that did a lot to spruce up the dash!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Really enjoyed!!! 👍👍👍

[@Dennis-AQ-140]

Great project guys! 👍🏻

[@manwithclass09]

"Bring the Thunder"......... Where have I heard that dozens of times????? How flattering for VGG.....

[@extraplain]

I am loving that altered wheelbase and the IRS swap. Awesome build!

[@gerhelwinters1967]

Man that's gotta be fun to throw that much money at a project! Wow

[@FtanmoOfEtheirys]

"What did the world do prior to zipties?" - Easy, used solid core electrical wire LOL.

[@fabieneldridge3414]

Great build up of the truck !

[@jefrhi]

Great build! Probably the only $100k Ranger on the planet...

[@MikMech]

Brilliant Build! Kudos

[@sethmaki1333]

Oh good. They do finish the build. I got to the end of part 1 and was like, "So what about the rest of the truck?"

[@dlegendrc]

Keep your passion for what you love, because success comes from really hard work. Motivation from others is a helpful tool to keep us on track to our goal, so push the limits and be extraordinary, I supported you! 😍❤️

[@UpperDarbyDetailing]

This is one of those projects I'd love to replicate, for the most part anyway. I'd probably go a little less track oriented and sheetable.

[@SouthHillCompost]

Just watched both parts and found the build quite interesting. One thing I missed though was what she did at the track.... How fast was she!?!?!

[@MackHeath-ns7ly]

Well I admit i aint much of a Truck guy but ya sold me the idea when you had Claimed it would handle like a Mustang which is one of my favorite Ford's but even if my dad worked for Fords for 19 yrs well he had no choice he got hit Chevy in 83 but i didn't blame the Chevy I just didn't like the Driver but that is a story for another time but keep up the Good work i was taught to respect all Cars o matter who made them my top 3 is Ford, Chevy And Dodge but love the fact you turned a Mazda into a Ford was kinda funny when i first heard about it LMAO have a Great Day

[@user-ld3tf3mi8w]

Great builds get some great ideas on how to go modifications But honestly did you just fibreglass a blanket to the front bumper That’s hilarious, it works I guess

[@johnmc1888]

This exact truck was at Buffalo Wild Wings in Conway, Ar yesterday.

[@Riley_1955]

Loved this second cousin Ranger build and I really like the flat paint look and especially loved that you SC'ed it instead of Turbo.......I'm just about sick of everybody turboing everything.......Only thing I would have done different would be too have started out with a stepside......Too me all trucks look better being stepsides over fleetsides........But none the less it is an amazing truck.

[@300mag83]

Super slick build nice detail but it’s definitely out of my price range. I bet it’s super fun to drive though. Also I love that they ditched that crappy automatic and went with a 6 speed. No one who is a driver likes automatics they might be great but they are no fun.

[@ThatNofbody]

Not a truck person but this was bad ass I’d love to have this or a gmc syclone

[@pedromoralez7666]

That’s mint boys love fab on run very cool 😎

[@jamie3uz344]

For interior i think should get the centre of the floor were you stand cut out and glass glazing put in with light put in to show the engine 😂

[@jamesrobin9961]

After watching the fender fabrication/surgery and following this whole build process and I’ve decided since I’m on a roll, I might as well start watching some Brain Surgery and maybe some on Deep Space Rocket Science after dinner…I consider them all on about the same difficulty level….we’ll see how it goes?

[@THReviewCars]

Awesome work,

[@jonathanfinley921]

That X pipe exhaust system I feel like could cause issues with that drive shaft on the right bumps.

[@willw1564]

This is the coolest thing ever

[@BucksSuperStereoWorld]

Also, I really hate to bring this up, but a stock Roots style supercharged Coyote would easily make 600 whp. I'm sure that Ford Racing 32V 4.6 was close to $20,000 or $25,000...A used Coyote would've been $1000 maybe...

[@gonzoe123]

The only thing I noticed they did wrong is use CCA wire for the battery power wires. OFC is what they should have used. Most CCA is undersized and all CCA suffers from electrolices and corrodes after a couple of year and require replacing. They learned this decades ago in the mobile audio industry and the automotive performance industry seems complacent with using sub quality wire.

[@borismb]

See, if you don't do the preparation before Giller, then scratches will appear with any filler. so preparation is essential

[@Jonmarcin]

Badass truck! Just wish they went with a different paintjob. The finish makes it look incomplete and hides the new body lines they’ve added to the truck. Also noticed some tiger stripes on the hood 😢

[@stephenhanwright7344]

Hey guys not sure if anyone has pointed it out, but I don’t like the way the battery box cover get really close to the terminal posts, I’m guessing the post sure be to the bottom, however cutting out some reliefs would help..

[@46deluxe13]

Great build ! Curious why we never saw anything about the coil overs, or how and where they got mounted ??

[@JerryHenderson72]

Back in the '90s my friend put a 302 from a 5 l Mustang in his ranger . We thought it was pretty damn fast . But now I have a 4 l Ranger that actually has more power than the 302 did . That's the only thing I like about modern vehicles . More power out of a smaller engine than what you got out of a bigger engine in the past . And I'm pretty sure I don't need a 550 horsepower truck . 220 horsepower is more than enough in a truck that small and that light .

[@victorgirouard1543]

220 hp the newer rangers come with 270 hp from the 4 cylinder and with a tune can hit 350 hp and almost 400 ft lbs of torque from a littel 2.3 4 cylinder

[@JerryHenderson72]

@@victorgirouard1543 New Ranger weighs a hell of a lot more than 3,000 pounds , and needs the extra power to move it's fat ass .

[@victorgirouard1543]

@@JerryHenderson72 true it's heavier but put most stock V8 trucks to shame. Even at 4500 lbs

[@JerryHenderson72]

@@victorgirouard1543 well that has a lot to do with the fact that the full size trucks with the V8s are all around 6,000 lb now . Back in the late 90s early 2000s a full size truck was lighter than what the current Ranger is . An old F-150 was barely any heavier than the Ranger .

[@victorgirouard1543]

@@JerryHenderson72 actually I think the 10 spd trans and 3.73 rear end has alot to do with it. Alot of V8 full size trucks still make more power then the new ranger but can't hang with it in a drag race. Especially if it's a 6 or 8 spd truck. I am talking half ton trucks with regular cabs so the weight difference isn't that huge between the 2.

[@nicolanaccari5383]

Am i wrong or did he fly away at 45:30 ?? 😂😂😂

[@mikegallagher237]

Racing seats are usually made for the indivual who is going to sit in it so it fits that person.

[@mojoron]

“They even have a in house weather station” shows an indoor thermometer

[@jobariedunn7185]

How you explained the fuel reg is counter productive... if i am understanding correctly.. i assume than you would use and x fitting configuration to get better fuel control..

[@jordanfalkowski6924]

i think about fifteen i was into lowriders. my brain been bounced and rattled out of that since lol but my friend was building an older B series extended cab. no motor work only cosmetic upgrades and audio i instslled. toyota chrome bumper and valance bolted on perfect fit. four bostwic 12"s sounded descent. it was a silver pearl paint with yellow tnt. if that one was mine to design i would have used blue tint with that silver grey pearl. it was a nice truck a fun being a 5 speed doing burnouts

[@robertbowen6610]

Bailing wire was used before zip ties and honestly I still use bailing wire when I run out of zip ties