What does Oppo think of the Ford Courier?

"Rainbow" (rainbeaux) 01/14/2019 at 11:28 • Filed to: None

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I’ve been talking to someone about this one, a 1979. She wants $900. All I know is that the body is rough and it runs. There are no pictures of the other side or the rear, but she’s getting those for me later today. But anyway, it supposedly just has 50,000 miles and I’ve always wanted a minitruck anyway, so it seems like a good deal.

Also, what the hell are lowering blocks? Do I want to avoid them? Are they easy to install? If I can drop the truck 2" for $50, why would I NOT do that?

Tripper > Rainbow 01/14/2019 at 11:34

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I love tiny trucks!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Rainbow 01/14/2019 at 11:36

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Lowering blocks usually drop the leaf spring farther under the axel.

I think they can cause axel wrap but I don’t think that’s a big deal on a 80hp mini truck 

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Rainbow 01/14/2019 at 11:41

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NP.

WilliamsSW > Rainbow 01/14/2019 at 11:43

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It’s a M azda, but sorry not REPU.

I learned to drive stick in one and always thought they were fun - like any smol pickup. No idea what issues they have- they’re rare now because most of them rusted out. 

vicali > Rainbow 01/14/2019 at 11:48

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Fair price for that kind and year of truck. parts might be hard to find and expect bodywork.

I looked at a 74 hilux for $600;

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/look-a-dirty-old-hilux-1729385682

P assed because parts and welding would’ve tripled that price before it even got on the road. It wasn’t something I loved, just something interesting. I could see it getting annoying after the new project shine wore off.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Rainbow 01/14/2019 at 11:52

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My first truck was the Mazda version, an ‘83 model. Lowering the back on blocks was pretty common. The front required drop spindles to do it right, cut springs if you don’t care about camber problems.

The B-series of trucks (Couriers in Ford speak) are pretty solid and mine stood up to years of abuse. The block is iron and the head is aluminum. Any overheating can warp the head. It’s hard to catch it when it overheats because the thermostat is mounted remotely. This means it depends on water flow to determine the temp. If you lose coolant (like mine did), the block has to heat the bracket before the gauge will respond. That’s bad news for the head. Mine went through this twice - the first time caused by a blown hose, the second time by a bad thermostat.

Mine also had a transmission problem. A bolt came loose inside and killed fifth gear. It was repaired under warranty.

The a/c controller on mine also died, making the a/c either full blast or off.

It’s funny how little they changed over the years. The ‘83 below isn’t mine but is pretty close. Mine had a blue interior and matching blue pinstripe.

Tristan > Rainbow 01/14/2019 at 12:14

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In high school my best friend had the ‘79 Mazda version. It was rusty and totally trashed, we beat the everliving piss out of it constantly, and it gave us more laughs, smiles and memories than his 396 4-speed ‘65 Impala. These trucks will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Also of note: the engine lives on in his skid loader!

fhrblig > Rainbow 01/14/2019 at 12:36

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I miss those. My high school parking lot was full of those, along with Datsun, Toyota, and Chevy LUV trucks. NP.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > TheRealBicycleBuck 01/14/2019 at 12:39

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Colored cloth interiors need to make a come back 

Sovande > Rainbow 01/14/2019 at 13:01

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There is no reason not to lower your mini truck. 

Sovande > Sovande 01/14/2019 at 13:03

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Also, the front is probably lowered via the torsion bar if it's anything like my 85 Nissan. 

TheRealBicycleBuck > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 01/14/2019 at 13:19

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Cloth? This was straight vinyl! Well, the bench seat was a woven vinyl.

It had the worst of everything - scorching hot, freezing cold, and being woven, it was impossible to clean.

MM54 > Rainbow 01/14/2019 at 18:05

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I like it

carcrasher88 > Rainbow 01/14/2019 at 18:09

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I’ve only ever seen one Courier in my life, and it had a 5.0 swap under the hood from a scrapped Foxbody ‘Stang. The owner sold it, and I don’t know where it is now.

Rainbow > carcrasher88 01/14/2019 at 18:43

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Here’s hoping it’s this one and she doesn’t realize.

carcrasher88 > Rainbow 01/14/2019 at 18:55

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It’s not. The one I saw was painted blue, and it looked like rattlecan paint, and it was an earlier model from between ‘72 and ‘76.

daender > Rainbow 01/14/2019 at 22:40

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While it’s very rare and very cool, that rarity will likely lead to replacement parts being costly and/or hard to find.

Cool project if you’re able to DIY fixes but it could get expensive if you’re going to restore it.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Rainbow 01/15/2019 at 03:00

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buy it