1981 Ford Courier low buck truck

[rab71]

Well, I ended up selling the Courier and bought a 1973 Mercedes 220. I couldn't pass it up.

[rab71]

So here we are... Found better wheels, installed stereo, flared fenders with a piece of pipe and a 2x2. The guy that owns it before me had cut and rolled the rear fender so when I flared them it cause some wierd creases in the lip. I’ll fix it when I do the bodywork for paint.
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[Gordon.Leadfoot]

Sub'd because mini-trucks

[rab71]

Which wheels? I'm leaning towards the turbines. 1) they are more rare 2) they fit the era of the truck better. The billets are 16x10 and the turbines are 15x10 Maybe I should post this in the wheels and tires section?

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[rab71]

Here's a few pics of the motor coming apart. Anyone else have any experience with the Mazda 2.0? I believe this one is an 84 from a B2000.
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[rab71]

So this weekend I picked up a spare motor (mazda 2.0 and I only paid $50.00) to build and another set of wheels. The wheels are billet aluminum 16x10 I only paid $150 for the set . I want to stretch some tires on them. I saw the thread about stretching tires. Any thoughts on what size to run? I started to tear down the motor and found it is really clean inside and has good compression. The plan is a minor rebuild. Hone the cylinders, now rings,port and polish the head, check all clearances of course. If I can get a bigger cam I will, also going to build an intake to run either down draft or side draft carbs. I can't find a header for s decent price I will build one of those as well.
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[rab71]

this weekend, I removed the big farm truck mirrors filled the holes (by welding them in) and the using filler to skim coat over. It's not done yet as you can see in the pics but the small sporty mirrors are a step in the right direction. I also started cleaning up the engine bay. I removed the EGR system, opened up the air cleaner by removing the snorkel looking thing and drilled some holes in it. An proceeded to start cleaning. I am unsure what all this black stuff is everywhere but under it is clean blue paint. It looks as if someone sprayed oil all over and then let it sit to collect dirt!

I am picking up another Mazda 2.0 and plan on rebuilding that. I'm thinking I will raise the compression port the head, build a header and intake. I'd like to run dual weber side drafts. I'll pick up the motor in two weeks. I was at my storage unit today. I may put my bench seat back in. If I reupholster it that would look nice. will see, these buckets are comfy but don't match the truck. Who knows. If anyone has any knowledge with these older Mazda motors lay it on me.

The weather was great this weekend and today we are getting a blizzard. Fucking Wisconsin weather... Just when I start thinking about painting the truck too... Oh... I hat built a solid motor mount for this ting too, (the rubber was torn) turns out THAT is a BAD idea. I have built solid mounts for several cars and never had issues. This thing would vibrate SO bad I immediately turned around, came home and cut it apart. I will just order new mounts.

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[rab71]

Just a recap, so far I have put on new fenders up front, fixed the rear frame and lowered the rear with 3" blocks. I installed new upper and lower ball joints and new sway-bar end-links. I had originally installed 1976 Mustang II cut springs but the ride was too soft for me and would bottom out. So I looked up later model 1981 Mustang springs and compared to courier factory. The 81' mustang springs are stiffer which is exactly what I wanted. I cut and installed them (the ride is perfect). New heavy duty shocks up front as well. Also built exhaust to exit all the way out the back from an old 1967 mustang exhaust I had laying next to the house the last few years. (That made my wife happy ) Lastly I have installed the 2001-07 GM spare tire wheels with 195/45r16 up front and 205/45r16 out back. It needs a stereo... Also needs a larger front sway-bar and a panhard bar. Paint will come when the weather gets better. Anyone built their own sway-bar?

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[rab71]

Here's a little start and current.


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[rab71]

Nice truck. Please don't do olive drab with sharks teeth on this. Go baby blue. It'll look so much better.

Thanks much. Yeah, I'm not going to do the olive drab thing. I came to my senses. Had a brain fart.

[theseeker411]

Nice truck. Please don't do olive drab with sharks teeth on this. Go baby blue. It'll look so much better.

[rab71]

[rab71]

Where I started and where I am.
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[rab71]

So this happened. New (used wheels), tires are 195/45R16 front, 205/45R6 rear. A bit more low in front, and 2” spacers. Good weekend. I want a bigger swaybar up from. It dives a bit still into turns. Also needs more turning radius. I am very skeptical cutting and welding the spindles. Advice? Also needs outer tie rod ends and an alignment.
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[rab71]

Good looking for the truck men !

Thanks it will look better painted and with the new wheels and tires. Saturday I installed new springs from an 81' mustang that were cut down (coils removed) also new shocks and upper and lower ball joints. What a differents in ride quality! I may need to cut about another 1/4 to half of coil. I will see when I get the new wheels and tires on. HOPEFULLY this coming weekend. So it seems as though the only way I can get pictures to load on here is to load them onto mt instagram account and then load them on here. I'm using and Iphone so that must be why.