Power Tryp Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 That's pretty much exactly how it sounds. Now not only am I neck deep in my 240Z resto (I should really update that soon) but the girlfriend wants a truck in our lives. Luckily she's one of the best girlfriends a guy could ask for because on Tuesday after work we drove a 5 hour round trip to go buy a pair of 1976 Ford Couriers. These are awesome little trucks and are a direct competitor to the Datsun 620. Although style wise they're more inline with the earlier 520. Of course these are almost identical to the Mazda B-Series trucks which makes my life easier because parts has just been spread between two manufacturers instead of just one. So at the very least I'll be able to keep it running even if I can't keep it pretty. I best learn to shape some metal. But enough is enough. It's picture time. I've only got a few for now but I'll be picking up the other truck tomorrow and sunday I'll start wrenching. 2 Quote Link to comment
DanielC Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 They pretty much are Mazda's. I saw a 1974 Ford Courier when they first cam e out, and the seatbelts had the "M" letter in them. "M" for Mazda. Chevy Luv trucks were Izuzu made. But honestly, quality control on almost ANY Japanese vehicle in the mid 1970's was way better than what domestic car manufacturers were doing. By the way, I have the interior rear view mirror out of a Mazda B-2000 in my 521. The ball mount is the same size. Quote Link to comment
Power Tryp Posted August 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 That's crazy on the mirror, I know that koyo made parts for more than just Mazda but I didn't realize they'd be the same. Anyway here's the second truck I just picked up today. 1 Quote Link to comment
JoeCool Posted August 3, 2014 Report Share Posted August 3, 2014 Nice looking Couriers! I always liked those. Quote Link to comment
Z chopper Posted August 5, 2014 Report Share Posted August 5, 2014 In Lethbridge? I was gonna snag the white one, how does the V6 conversion in the gold one look? I think they added 3" tithe cab length in '76 also Quote Link to comment
Power Tryp Posted August 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 They did add 3 inches in 1976, which is why it's confusing because the white truck doesn't have the longer cab but the plate does state 1976 right on it... The gold one is actually a 1974. The swap itself looks solid but it's obvious it hasn't run in ages and I don't plan on cleaning it up and getting that lump running again. Everything else on that truck is in great shape so I'll keep it around and turn it into a project once I get everything else in good order. The previous owner wasn't going to sell one without the other unless he absolutely had to. Quote Link to comment
Z chopper Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Check build date on the white one it might be an early '76 before the addition of 3" to the cab Quote Link to comment
Power Tryp Posted August 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 I'll have to take a closer look at it then. Obviously model years were a little more malleable back then. The white truck runs great but I have no idea on it's service history so it's gunna get a full blown tune up. Then my GF and I will be taking care of the rust one panel at a time. Quote Link to comment
Z chopper Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 The seller told me it needs a stable bearing, what ever that is. Is it a 2 piece drive shaft? Quote Link to comment
Power Tryp Posted August 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 Yeah it is a two piece. Honestly I'm not so sure about his assessment of the steady bearing. It doesn't shake or thump and I had it up to 80kph on the road on a test drive. He openly admitted to me that he's no mechanic when I bought them. The white one is going up on the hoist this Saturday cause I need to figure out an e-brake cable setup for it. I've also got parts coming to put this thing through a full blown tune up. Also I'm adding a tach because I really would like to know what the engine is spinning at, especially when shifting. For now though, this is what the seat looks like. We'll be adding buckets once they come in. Quote Link to comment
svo521 Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 I borrowed a 74 courier named "putt putt" from a friend of mine years ago while i was waiting for my car to get here on a boat. was fun to drive and is what made me want to get a small truck when i could find one. 1 Quote Link to comment
Power Tryp Posted August 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 svo521 I just checked your build thread. The engine you've got is what I want to eventually slam into the orange truck. Followed by airbagging for performance not just for low. I'd love to turn it into a real sport truck that makes modern ecoboost F150s feel inadequate. :rofl: 1 Quote Link to comment
Z chopper Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 There is a 2004 ranger for sale cheap with a V6 and 5 speed it is listed for $500 it is a write off Quote Link to comment
Z chopper Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Pics under the hoods? Quote Link to comment
svo521 Posted August 8, 2014 Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 svo521 I just checked your build thread. The engine you've got is what I want to eventually slam into the orange truck. Followed by airbagging for performance not just for low. I'd love to turn it into a real sport truck that makes modern ecoboost F150s feel inadequate. :rofl: Yeah they are fun engines. I'm swapping mine out for a 5.0 for a little bit. got some noise under the valve cover(needs ranger roller cam) Might look into making it a 16v folvo hehehe. have fun with those new projects. Quote Link to comment
Power Tryp Posted August 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2014 Z chopper: More oics coming on Saturday. I was so happy just to drive it around the farm last week I forgot to take more than just the seat patch job we did. svo521: Do the Volvo head swap, super cool and even with all the info online about them they're still not that common. 1 Quote Link to comment
Power Tryp Posted August 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2014 Pic dump time! I didn't get any work done on the truck cause I spent way way too much time fixing the e-brake cable on my girlfriends Mazda Protege. Gah what a pain in the ass. Anyway as promised. 1 Quote Link to comment
Z chopper Posted August 11, 2014 Report Share Posted August 11, 2014 Ok pics of white one done, now the other... Quote Link to comment
Power Tryp Posted August 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 I keep forgetting about the orange one! Damnit. My focus is on the white one, getting it cleaned up, ready to register and insure. I'm bound to be back at the farm in the week or two so I'll grab pictures of it then. Quote Link to comment
Power Tryp Posted August 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 Finally, here's the engine pics that you want. 2.8L Cologne engine. uhh yeah. Quote Link to comment
Dat Lurka Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 Cool! :thumbup: The courier is always my second choice when looking for a mini truck when I can't find a Datsun. I have a friend just outside of town that has an LS3 powered Courier. Or maybe it was a Luv... Meh Quote Link to comment
Power Tryp Posted August 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 I have a friend just outside of town that has an LS3 powered Courier. Or maybe it was a Luv... Meh If I ever get the okay to buy more of these trucks, and enough money, and enough time... I would love to put a blown 302 in one. Quote Link to comment
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