I've never seen a 4x4 conversion like that on a Courier. My dad bought a '74 that he drove for years before handing it off to me as my first truck. It was manufactured by Mazda for Ford. It wouldn't go over 70mph, but it was a work horse. We used it to cut wood in the mountains and we would put side boards on it and bring down just as much if not more than my dad's friend would in his 1/2-ton Chevy with an 8' bed. He'd put tire chains on in the winter and go anywhere he needed. I ran that thing all over the back roads around town and was amazed at where I could take it. I regularly had to adjust and clean the points in the distributor to keep it running by the time I took over it. Between that and the valve adjustments, I got pretty good at using a feeler gauge.
I remember mine first day I got it we went to get some work done threw my old tool box in the back a box of sockets and old tire to get rid of & the damn thing at the dump and that booger wouldn't budge out of the driveway till we took the stuff back out...
Respect for your determination on this challenging truck... Even in the pouring rain. For all the work you did it sure as heck better run! 😅 Congratulations.
I bought a new '78 Courier w/the 2.3 Pinto engine. Although long-lasting, the power was...limited. After taking all the emission things off power was much better. Finally sold it with 147,000 miles and was still going strong and used no oil, although I did have valve guides installed (the engine does not come with them) and ground the valves at about 110,000 miles. The heater was less than worthless and still didn't help much after stripping the interior and insulating from top to bottom. It cruised nicely at 65-67MPH, but above 70 it sounded like the pistons were changing holes.
The Ford Courier never did come in a factory 4X4. The bed is also an aftermarket bed. It was a basic truck, and it was popular. The engine came in many Ford products. Pinto, Bobcat, Mustang and Fairmont, and the Zepher. A very strong engine back in its time.
@@danbasta3677 Yes I know! I read up on them and the generation before which is the 65 through 76 was the years of the wankle rotary engine! From 75 through 77! Then the body style changed to the 77 through 82! The actor James Garner made tv commercials about those models! They also had diesel engines!
Looks like someone did an Toyota axle swap on it. The Ford trucks never got the rotary. The diesel was a travesty, and not available in the US. That changed when Mazda brought in the B2200 for 1980.
The Ford Courier didn't come from the factory as a 4x4 but Ford Did have them converted to 4x4 by a contract company and sold them new through Ford dealerships. My Dad bought one new and I still have it
Those 2.3 ford's are tough. Only made around 88hp though. One nice thing about them is if that old timing belt breaks the valves wont hit the pistons on those engines.
I had one too when I was a kid. What I found out the hard way is if ya put a ham sandwich & the rest of your lunch in there with a 6 pack of beer on that seat there ain't no place to sit and drive the darn things..
Really appreciate the careful explanation of everything your doing and even thinking. I learned a lot from this video. The camera angles were great, I was able to see what you were referencing and trying to identify. I like to the length, others may want something shorter and faster, but I love the length and pace, gave me a chance to keep up and stay with your thought process and what you were doing. Thanks a lot!!
That is one unique truck. I have never seen one like that so far as I can recall. Interesting how this truck has all the square angles that you didn't see until a few years later in the larger Ford trucks.
Had a 81 mazda 626 drove it 20 years easy to maintain few problems 200,000km original clutch, should have kept it for 20 more years.😊 A lot to be said for simple😊
Its unique find definitely custom they didn't come in 4x4 or step side the 2.3 lima engine is a great lil engine it powered lots of different vehicles especially in Europe in the us it started in the pinto and lasted into the 90s in the ranger
That a cool truck there 😎 getting harder to find ive got a 1980 table top that I saved clean it up and got it 👍 running drive 🚗 it around well done 👋 from Australia
Someone customized that completely. I'd like to see details on the 4WD conversion. My dad bought a 79 Ford Courier for the company and we got to drive it around for a month before it was sent into the field. It was a blast to drive and got great gas mileage compared to the V8 full size pickups of the day. Thanks for the video!
I love your channel. I have no mechanical skills . But I'm learning alot from you . 😊 Your a great inspiration to guys like me sir . Thank you for your channel
Awesome truck! It's my understanding that a company from Kelso Washington did the 4x4 conversions on the those trucks. Very hard to get these days. I don't think I've ever seen a step side courier. That's a great find!
Had a 78' Ford Courier pickup that was converted to 4x4 about 25 years old, 4x4 stuff (front axle, transfer case) was from a mid 70's Jeep CJ 5. I know this because every time I had to buy parts, they would be for a Jeep. I guess there was a company in the late 70's that did 4x4 conversions. Was a fun little truck, a bit under powered but would go just about anywhere. B
Awesome truck. You don't see too many couriers and a 4x4 to boot. Not factory at all, there were companies selling 4x4 kits or you could get one converted. Probably Jeep CJ5 running gear. 😎👍
About 10 years ago I bought a 1992 F150 XLT 4x4 Supercab with the 300-6 and 5 speed. It hadn’t ran in about 10 years. I turned the crankshaft by hand and then got it running. The engine was idling high for a while plus the exhaust had blue smoke for about 20 minutes before it went away. I’m guessing that the rings were getting settled in. I parted out the truck. I don’t remember what was wrong with it that made me part it out. I really miss owning Fords with the indestructible 300-6.
Back in the 70's mini truck 4x4 conversions were very popular. I still have a Downey MFG catalog with the parts kits of front axle/diff and transfer case with all the fixins ran for under $2K. Did this Courier have any badges or paperwork on the conversion?
Love these old trucks. Quick question - what's the chance of a taller dude fitting in one of these? I'm 6'2 and I'd love to pick one up as a project, but man they look so small.
I had one of trucks, loved it easy to work on and the mazda B210 parts fit on it also. And something else if you go thru water and it wont crank pull the rotor cap off and dry it and it will fire right back up.
I have a buddy mind that had one of those exact same courier's in high school but his was all customized and show quality is black with a. Step side. I would love to own that
A 4 stroke engine has 2 TDC points in its revolution exhaust stroke and compression stroke. It looks like you were checking the timing on the exhaust stroke. Because it was a 180ﾟ out.😅
It's worth saving for sure..compact/gas saver/4x4/no smog required/I'd pull the motor/transmission out and go threw em and keep that little thing around for a while..
The stepside bed was from a company in california back in the day. I don't recall the name, but they would buy new trucks, build and install the bed, and sell them. You could get a stepside chevy luv from them. I collect the luv, but i have never seen one of the stepside conversions.
Yea that’s right, I’ve been looking up some info on this truck, and it looks like some couriers were sold as a cab/chassis, and would get the “California step side conversion” which I believe was a Chevy bed. Also, (and I’m not sure if this is one of these) but there was supposedly a company in Kelso, Washington that did around 1500 4x4 conversions from 75-79.
@@Rustwrangler nice info. Do you know what components they used for the conversion? I was wondering what was used for the front axle and transfer case on yours.
@@Rustwrangler No. The California Stepside conversion did not use a chevy bed. They made their own that they used on all of the mini trucks. I'm old enough to have been around when these things were brand new. I had a 1979 Ford Courier LWB. And being a Orange County, CA. native . It was lowered all the way around and since I was working for a aftermarket header company called Clifford Research it had their header on it and some how during all of that I "lost" the catalyic converter. Maybe someday I'll find another one. Had a lot of fun in that little truck.
I had one in the early 80's, it had a funny quirk when driving down the road once in a while it would dart left or right, not very often. I had a head on with an old Peterbilt. Insurance fixed it. I couldn't believe how it would climb.
Well the consensus seems to be that this is a aftermarket conversion four by four. I think those fenders for from a squarebody 70s Chevy. That was a popular conversion on these little trucks to make a stepside bed and replace the original. Interesting truck, congratulations
i drove one of those ford Couriers back in 77-78 i was my work truck with a service box . would not drive over a pack of cigarettes . used oil like mad basically a mazda. good luck
You have to unplug the vacuum advance at the distributor and plug the vac hose with something. i use a small screw. Then set the timing to 10 degrees BTDC. then plug the vac hose up and the timing will move to over 30 degrees maximum above 3000 rpm
Had a black 79 with A.C. hardest repair I did was replacing the windshield broke 2 finally got one in with soap and string. Most of them I see have rusted front fenders.
Had the 75' Ford Courier 2.2 motor would of ran forever. Let a Loin Boy talk me into switching truck's, to drive for awhile. Come on buddy let me drive your truck. Matt n Jason took there turns doing burn out's until they blew the motor. Mechanic shop charged alot of money but didn't get fixed. You could drive two week's straight on a tank of gas in 93'. I was naive putting around in his Short Box 85' Chevy I'm sure they detuned before tricking me into my truck's fate. Lesson was learned never let anyone drive my vehicles, lost girlfriends cause I wasn't going let someone blow my car or truck up again. Lol 75' Ford Curior had a awesome suicide hood bed had built in tie down straps. For a bunch of parts thrown togather Ford laying around it was a great little truck.
All the 'Big Three' manufacturers partnered with Japanese companies in the 70's. Ford(Courier)=Mazda, Chevrolet(Luv)=Isuzu, Dodge(D50)=Mitsubishi.The drive-trains weren't always Japanese. The 2.3 in the Courier was Ford
I took my wife on our first date in my 1979 ford couier, john deer green, blacked out windows, chrome saw blade wheels, five speed, 462 hp 2.3, four cylinder, 383 rear gears, it was a Camaro killer, in in 99, 2001, my wife and i loved that truck but couldn't find another one, here it has been 22 years later and we still haven't found another one yet, in our own home town,
Ya , 2.3 with cheve 350 rods 30 over pistons, 600 lift hollow ovel track cam roller lifters, took a motor craft intake, use a adapter for 4 barrel to a 2 barrel flipped it mounted it to intake and put a 750 Holley 4 Barrel carb on it, it was a monster of a 4 cylinder
If it ever stops running always look for the black box to your left side find a hole in the back of it push a little pain in there or a piece of wire and push a little reset button Hill fire right back up at 6 oil oil change timer tow it off the freeway and they push the button and it and they charge you a fortune
That’s a super cool truck! Someone must have converted it to four wheel drive and step side bed. They only came two wheel drive and fleetside. This is a really video, can’t wait to see what you do with it!
As far as I can find online, the only 4wd couriers were if they were converted, and it looks like there was a company in Washington back in 1975-79 that converted roughly 1500 of these. (Not sure if this is one of those or not) I’m going to try to look into it a little deeper in a future episode.
Couldn't buy a 4 wheel drive Courrier at your Ford dealer. If you wanted a 4 wheel drive unit in it, you had to pay a company to put one in for you, a transfer case and other components to make the truck a 4 wheel drive truck.
Nice going getting it started. What you fixed was probably the reason it was parked. Those Ford 4 cyl. were fickle engines. Do you know if the engine was made by Mazda too?
Man I'm a stage 3 cancer survivor. I used to have a car. I was a door dash delivery driver . Now I have nothing my car gave out . I would love to have a beater with a heater that is reliable. Where do you find these gems?
Wow, that’s amazing! Congratulations on being a cancer survivor! A lot of the vehicles I come across are vehicles that I’ve managed to come across for a good price, or from friends of mine, there are quite a few on the channel now that I’ve gotten from one friend who searches for them and enjoys buying them, and I enjoy working on them so it works out well.
The Ford Courier was not available with 4x4. Please video the unique 4x4 drivetrain components. Dormant engine running videos, are common... Four Wheeler magazine did a nice conversion and article, back when these trucks was new. They used a Toyota front axle and a divorced Dana 20 transfercase. The Dana 20 was converted to divorced, with a kit from Novak or Advance Adapters. The same kit it still occasionally available; limited runs. Both companies have made the kit. Many have odd beds, because they was originally sold without a bed, to avoid the "chicken tax"; due to being a Mazda import. The stock bed could be purchased from the dealer and bolted on, after it has arrived at the dealership. Many dealers just added the stock beds themselves and added the cost to the purchase price. When the first Ford Ranger's was released, the base model rear bumper, was an added dealer option. You could buy a stripped base model cheap. Some Courier's got the optional Ford 2.3 engine, that was used in the later Ranger. Looks like you got lucky and got the Ford 2.3, from the video; strong rotating assembly. A Turbo version from the Ford Thunderbird, is a common bolt in swap.
I’ll try to get a closer look at the 4x4 aspect of this vehicle on a future episode. The only info I could find on it, and I’m not sure if this truck is one of them, but there was a company in Kelso, Washington that converted around 1500 of these to 4x4. I’d be very interested to find out more about the turbo upgrade you mentioned. Thanks for all the info.
Never seen one in person! But I do remember the 4 wheeler magazine in the 1970s that had an article about it! Same bed as a chevy luv! Almost bought a Chevy Luv four wheel drive once! I wonder if they were also conversions?
@@ThomasSmith-fz6wq Yes, every stepside body on a mini truck that I saw at that time looked the same. I was 15 years old in 1979 and I wanted a mini truck,any brand,badly. A kid at my high school got a brand new chevy luv stepside with wide tires and fender flares. It was banana yellow and looked cool. Chevy started advertizing the 4x4 Luv. I worked at a Chevy dealership in 1981 when I was a senior in high school. That was last year of the Luv. The S-10 started in '82. I am a Ford fan and never have seen the 4x4 Courier in person. That is a neat truck.
@@mickeythompson1562 Wow that's pretty cool dude! I was a sophomore in 1982 when the ford ranger first came out! I remember wanting one! They were cool looking little trucks! To me they looked a lot nicer than the S 10!
GREAT VIDEO!!!! MY SON MAX 7YR.S OLD AND I LIKE CAR AND TRUCK REDO'S FIX UPS!! THANKS ,, SEND MORE...
I've never seen a 4x4 conversion like that on a Courier. My dad bought a '74 that he drove for years before handing it off to me as my first truck. It was manufactured by Mazda for Ford. It wouldn't go over 70mph, but it was a work horse. We used it to cut wood in the mountains and we would put side boards on it and bring down just as much if not more than my dad's friend would in his 1/2-ton Chevy with an 8' bed. He'd put tire chains on in the winter and go anywhere he needed. I ran that thing all over the back roads around town and was amazed at where I could take it. I regularly had to adjust and clean the points in the distributor to keep it running by the time I took over it. Between that and the valve adjustments, I got pretty good at using a feeler gauge.
That’s awesome! Sounds like you guys made that thing work.
I remember mine first day I got it we went to get some work done threw my old tool box in the back a box of sockets and old tire to get rid of & the damn thing at the dump and that booger wouldn't budge out of the driveway till we took the stuff back out...
Respect for your determination on this challenging truck... Even in the pouring rain. For all the work you did it sure as heck better run! 😅 Congratulations.
Thank you, the weather doesn’t always cooperate around here, haha.
The hood acts as a roof, he wont get wet. Maybe alittle lol
I bought a new '78 Courier w/the 2.3 Pinto engine. Although long-lasting, the power was...limited. After taking all the emission things off power was much better. Finally sold it with 147,000 miles and was still going strong and used no oil, although I did have valve guides installed (the engine does not come with them) and ground the valves at about 110,000 miles. The heater was less than worthless and still didn't help much after stripping the interior and insulating from top to bottom. It cruised nicely at 65-67MPH, but above 70 it sounded like the pistons were changing holes.
Major find.
Man, Puddin would love this truck
The Ford Courier never did come in a factory 4X4. The bed is also an aftermarket bed. It was a basic truck, and it was popular. The engine came in many Ford products. Pinto, Bobcat, Mustang and Fairmont, and the Zepher. A very strong engine back in its time.
Did they also run the famous Mazda rotary engine in some of the early 70s trucks?
@@ThomasSmith-fz6wq The Ford Courrier trucks were actually Mazda trucks.
@@danbasta3677 Yes I know! I read up on them and the generation before which is the 65 through 76 was the years of the wankle rotary engine! From 75 through 77! Then the body style changed to the 77 through 82! The actor James Garner made tv commercials about those models! They also had diesel engines!
Looks like someone did an Toyota axle swap on it. The Ford trucks never got the rotary. The diesel was a travesty, and not available in the US. That changed when Mazda brought in the B2200 for 1980.
The Ford Courier didn't come from the factory as a 4x4 but Ford Did have them converted to 4x4 by a contract company and sold them new through Ford dealerships. My Dad bought one new and I still have it
Those 2.3 ford's are tough. Only made around 88hp though. One nice thing about them is if that old timing belt breaks the valves wont hit the pistons on those engines.
I've never seen a 4x4 version of the Courier.Especially a stepside.Great find.
What a great find !
I had a 73Courier in the mid 70s, it was a fun little truck.
Looking forward to see the progress on this truck.
Thank you, I’m looking forward to this build as well.
I had one too when I was a kid. What I found out the hard way is if ya put a ham sandwich & the rest of your lunch in there with a 6 pack of beer on that seat there ain't no place to sit and drive the darn things..
Love that courier, glad to see this little guy back on the road☺🇺🇸🏁
i had one in the 90s the company that did the 4x4 conversion used a cj5 front diff and transfer case,they were pretty tough.
Really appreciate the careful explanation of everything your doing and even thinking. I learned a lot from this video. The camera angles were great, I was able to see what you were referencing and trying to identify. I like to the length, others may want something shorter and faster, but I love the length and pace, gave me a chance to keep up and stay with your thought process and what you were doing. Thanks a lot!!
Thank you! I hope to be able to improve more and more with each video.
Working in the rain. You’re the man!! 👍🏽 that moment it fired I smiled with you
Haha, gotta do what you gotta do! Thank you!
That is one unique truck. I have never seen one like that so far as I can recall. Interesting how this truck has all the square angles that you didn't see until a few years later in the larger Ford trucks.
Had a 81 mazda 626 drove it 20 years easy to maintain few problems 200,000km original clutch, should have kept it for 20 more years.😊 A lot to be said for simple😊
That sunshine sure has saved that old gal. Very nice rig and like you said someone sure has put some nice work into turning it into a 4×4.
I have had 4 for them courier in my life and loved everyone of them. Them 2.3 are hard to kill
Its unique find definitely custom they didn't come in 4x4 or step side the 2.3 lima engine is a great lil engine it powered lots of different vehicles especially in Europe in the us it started in the pinto and lasted into the 90s in the ranger
Can’t kill those 6 bangers! Thanks for sharing 😎👍
That a cool truck there 😎 getting harder to find ive got a 1980 table top that I saved clean it up and got it 👍 running drive 🚗 it around well done 👋 from Australia
Someone customized that completely. I'd like to see details on the 4WD conversion. My dad bought a 79 Ford Courier for the company and we got to drive it around for a month before it was sent into the field. It was a blast to drive and got great gas mileage compared to the V8 full size pickups of the day. Thanks for the video!
Hoping to dive farther into the details on this truck in a future episode, these sure are neat little trucks. Thank you!
I love your channel. I have no mechanical skills . But I'm learning alot from you . 😊 Your a great inspiration to guys like me sir . Thank you for your channel
Very cool truck. My friend had a 78 back in the 90's. Never seen a stepside Courier.
Awesome truck! It's my understanding that a company from Kelso Washington did the 4x4 conversions on the those trucks.
Very hard to get these days. I don't think I've ever seen a step side courier. That's a great find!
Thank you, yea that’s all I could find too, that a company from Kelso did a bunch of these.
@@Rustwrangler The stepside was aftermarket also.
@@Rustwrangler Northwest ATV built them in Kelso. Was the "Sasquatch" package
The Sasquatch Package gotta love that. 💯🆒
I just bought a 79 4x4 but mines a long bed and rusted af. Pictures on my Instagram the_freedom _ford
Had a 78' Ford Courier pickup that was converted to 4x4 about 25 years old, 4x4 stuff (front axle, transfer case) was from a mid 70's Jeep CJ 5. I know this because every time I had to buy parts, they would be for a Jeep. I guess there was a company in the late 70's that did 4x4 conversions. Was a fun little truck, a bit under powered but would go just about anywhere. B
Nice, I’m looking into finding out what parts were used on this one.
I give you five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ old school American made Bad to the 🍗
Great find! I have never seen a step side Courier. Onward!
I have rebuilt and driven these trucks for years and if done right they are as tough as a tank.
Had one in late 90's on 33x12.5.. great little 4x4...
That’s awesome! I think we’re going to have fun with this one.
Awesome truck. You don't see too many couriers and a 4x4 to boot. Not factory at all, there were companies selling 4x4 kits or you could get one converted. Probably Jeep CJ5 running gear. 😎👍
Thank you, I’m definitely going to try to get more info on it.
Sweeeeeeeeeeet, sounds pretty good man 😮. Love the stance with those new boots 🥾 on her. 😊
Yea I couldn’t believe how the new tires changed the look of the truck that much.
About 10 years ago I bought a 1992 F150 XLT 4x4 Supercab with the 300-6 and 5 speed. It hadn’t ran in about 10 years. I turned the crankshaft by hand and then got it running. The engine was idling high for a while plus the exhaust had blue smoke for about 20 minutes before it went away. I’m guessing that the rings were getting settled in. I parted out the truck. I don’t remember what was wrong with it that made me part it out. I really miss owning Fords with the indestructible 300-6.
I just bought a 91 f150 with the 300-6 and 5 speed. Very solid and strong truck.
Congratulations on getting the old truck running again.... great job.....
Thank you!
What a great find.
That unique little truck is clean and was not wrenched on very much in it's life. But somebody stopped driving it for a reason.
The farm it was on, said it was too rough to drive around, so they threw it out to pasture and left it.
Back in the 70's mini truck 4x4 conversions were very popular. I still have a Downey MFG catalog with the parts kits of front axle/diff and transfer case with all the fixins ran for under $2K. Did this Courier have any badges or paperwork on the conversion?
Not that I could tell, I’m going to try to look a little more into what parts were used on it, and go a little more in depth on a future episode.
I had a 79 Ford Courier step side with the 2.3. I had so much fun with it. I ended up taking the 4 cylinder out and dropped a 5.0 v8.
Nice! I may need to think about doing something like that, I think we may have blown the headgasket in this 2.3.
Courier Sasquatch conversions were done by a shop in Kelso, WA. Jeep transfer case and front axles.
One mans junk is another mans treasure
Love these old trucks. Quick question - what's the chance of a taller dude fitting in one of these? I'm 6'2 and I'd love to pick one up as a project, but man they look so small.
They are small, but I’m 6’ 4” and fit pretty well in this one. Although I’d rather drive in a full-size truck.
Thanks!@@Rustwrangler
I had one of trucks, loved it easy to work on and the mazda B210 parts fit on it also. And something else if you go thru water and it wont crank pull the rotor cap off and dry it and it will fire right back up.
Nice! Thanks for the tip!
StepSide is Chevy on a Ford its called Flareside, I'll be watching the build
APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE
I have a buddy mind that had one of those exact same courier's in high school but his was all customized and show quality is black with a. Step side. I would love to own that
Nice! Does your buddy still have it?
A 4 stroke engine has 2 TDC points in its revolution exhaust stroke and compression stroke. It looks like you were checking the timing on the exhaust stroke. Because it was a 180ﾟ out.😅
Super cool truck my friend! Very nice find! I am jealous for sure.
Thank you!
It's worth saving for sure..compact/gas saver/4x4/no smog required/I'd pull the motor/transmission out and go threw em and keep that little thing around for a while..
That’s the plan, try to make it somewhat reliable for my wife to drive around.
Ole Puddin would have a fit over that truck 😂
prevost8686 I was just thinking the same thing. But to bad it's the "wrong" color.
Damn str8
Great job Ray!!!!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
The stepside bed was from a company in california back in the day. I don't recall the name, but they would buy new trucks, build and install the bed, and sell them. You could get a stepside chevy luv from them. I collect the luv, but i have never seen one of the stepside conversions.
Yea that’s right, I’ve been looking up some info on this truck, and it looks like some couriers were sold as a cab/chassis, and would get the “California step side conversion” which I believe was a Chevy bed.
Also, (and I’m not sure if this is one of these) but there was supposedly a company in Kelso, Washington that did around 1500 4x4 conversions from 75-79.
@@Rustwrangler nice info. Do you know what components they used for the conversion? I was wondering what was used for the front axle and transfer case on yours.
@@Rustwrangler No. The California Stepside conversion did not use a chevy bed. They made their own that they used on all of the mini trucks. I'm old enough to have been around when these things were brand new. I had a 1979 Ford Courier LWB. And being a Orange County, CA. native . It was lowered all the way around and since I was working for a aftermarket header company called Clifford Research it had their header on it and some how during all of that I "lost" the catalyic converter. Maybe someday I'll find another one. Had a lot of fun in that little truck.
I had one in the early 80's, it had a funny quirk when driving down the road once in a while it would dart left or right, not very often. I had a head on with an old Peterbilt. Insurance fixed it. I couldn't believe how it would climb.
Aiaiai a head on with a peterbilt?
Just looked it up sasquatch conversions, about 1500 built in Washington state.
Good job buddy 👍🇺🇸
not to bad at least you got it to run .
Well the consensus seems to be that this is a aftermarket conversion four by four. I think those fenders for from a squarebody 70s Chevy. That was a popular conversion on these little trucks to make a stepside bed and replace the original. Interesting truck, congratulations
Thank you!
Very rare to find a stepside courier!😮👍
i drove one of those ford Couriers back in 77-78 i was my work truck with a service box . would not drive over a pack of cigarettes . used oil like mad basically a mazda. good luck
it looks cool
I have the same exact truck but it’s 2wd! Can’t wait to see what you do with it. I need some inspiration haha
No way! That’s awesome! Yours is a step side as well?
You have to unplug the vacuum advance at the distributor and plug the vac hose with something. i use a small screw. Then set the timing to 10 degrees BTDC. then plug the vac hose up and the timing will move to over 30 degrees maximum above 3000 rpm
That will be a great rig with a little TLC.
Puddin would love this!
I found a channel keep up the good work this channel will explode guaranteed 👍🏼
Lifter up put er back on the block epicness at its finest
Good luck with the journal bonus points Just making a comment
I like it too it's like a high boy lol
Had a black 79 with A.C. hardest repair I did was replacing the windshield broke 2 finally got one in with soap and string. Most of them I see have rusted front fenders.
Front fenders are extremely solid on this one.
Had the 75' Ford Courier 2.2 motor would of ran forever. Let a Loin Boy talk me into switching truck's, to drive for awhile. Come on buddy let me drive your truck. Matt n Jason took there turns doing burn out's until they blew the motor. Mechanic shop charged alot of money but didn't get fixed. You could drive two week's straight on a tank of gas in 93'. I was naive putting around in his Short Box 85' Chevy I'm sure they detuned before tricking me into my truck's fate. Lesson was learned never let anyone drive my vehicles, lost girlfriends cause I wasn't going let someone blow my car or truck up again. Lol 75' Ford Curior had a awesome suicide hood bed had built in tie down straps. For a bunch of parts thrown togather Ford laying around it was a great little truck.
Look up the model kit called Bush Baby by AMT, it might give you some ideas for some vintage looking additions once you get to rebuilding it.
I’ll check it out, thanks.
If I am not mistaken I believe ford partnered with Japan to produce this truck.
It's actually a Mazda.
All the 'Big Three' manufacturers partnered with Japanese companies in the 70's. Ford(Courier)=Mazda, Chevrolet(Luv)=Isuzu, Dodge(D50)=Mitsubishi.The drive-trains weren't always Japanese. The 2.3 in the Courier was Ford
Deal for you doin this in the rain but you got it running
I took my wife on our first date in my 1979 ford couier, john deer green, blacked out windows, chrome saw blade wheels, five speed, 462 hp 2.3, four cylinder, 383 rear gears, it was a Camaro killer, in in 99, 2001, my wife and i loved that truck but couldn't find another one, here it has been 22 years later and we still haven't found another one yet, in our own home town,
Wow, 462 hp?
Ya , 2.3 with cheve 350 rods 30 over pistons, 600 lift hollow ovel track cam roller lifters, took a motor craft intake, use a adapter for 4 barrel to a 2 barrel flipped it mounted it to intake and put a 750 Holley 4 Barrel carb on it, it was a monster of a 4 cylinder
If it ever stops running always look for the black box to your left side find a hole in the back of it push a little pain in there or a piece of wire and push a little reset button Hill fire right back up at 6 oil oil change timer tow it off the freeway and they push the button and it and they charge you a fortune
you released the preinstalled smoke
Nice truck
nice design!
I need that truck, ive been looking for one of those for a very long time
It’s my wifes and she loves this thing.
I would keep that truck with the price of gas the way that it is.
Definitely
TDC comes up twice. Make sure you're on the compression stroke. The exhaust valve is open because you're on the exhaust stroke.
I had the number 1 spark plug removed so that I could feel that the piston was at the top of its stroke.
In the late 70's Chevrolet LUV (Mikado) offered factory 4x4; an Isuzu rebadge.
Lift it up 👍
That’s a super cool truck! Someone must have converted it to four wheel drive and step side bed. They only came two wheel drive and fleetside. This is a really video, can’t wait to see what you do with it!
Thank you, yea by the looks of the square tubing underneath, I would agree that it was most likely converted to 4wd.
don't you have to have both ends of the spark tester hooked up?
Trucks been parked since I was born and only 10 years after it was made!
I never knew they made a courier in 4wd. That’s cool
As far as I can find online, the only 4wd couriers were if they were converted, and it looks like there was a company in Washington back in 1975-79 that converted roughly 1500 of these. (Not sure if this is one of those or not) I’m going to try to look into it a little deeper in a future episode.
They were all converted, some badly
Couldn't buy a 4 wheel drive Courrier at your Ford dealer. If you wanted a 4 wheel drive unit in it, you had to pay a company to put one in for you, a transfer case and other components to make the truck a 4 wheel drive truck.
You should pull that fourbanging outin either put a V6 in there or small block 302 something like that that would be plenty of power for the truck 🛻
I would normally agree, but this is a pretty neat little motor.
Nice going getting it started. What you fixed was probably the reason it was parked. Those Ford 4 cyl. were fickle engines.
Do you know if the engine was made by Mazda too?
Thank you, I want to say I saw something pointing towards it being a Mazda engine, but I couldn’t tell you for sure.
It is a Ford Engine, not a Mazda in this one.
The Ford Courrier trucks were made by Mazda fir Ford Motor Corporation.
Friend of mine put a diesel in one of those. A little turbodiesel from a from a Mitsubishi/Dodge.
Never trust the first dip of the dipstick. You clean it and dip it again.
Time to get serious on its hp with everything available for that ol girl yaaaaa
For sure, someone commented earlier about a common turbo swap for this motor, so I’m going to try to look into that a little more.
@Rust Wrangler I can't wait to see it..Truly blessed everything happens for a reason 🙏🏽
@@Rustwrangler
Be careful, the engine might handle the extra power, but the drive train may not.
Someone donate a 10x10 canopy to this man.
Would throw a new timing belt on it
Yea for sure. That’s the plan.
Man I'm a stage 3 cancer survivor. I used to have a car. I was a door dash delivery driver . Now I have nothing my car gave out . I would love to have a beater with a heater that is reliable. Where do you find these gems?
Wow, that’s amazing! Congratulations on being a cancer survivor!
A lot of the vehicles I come across are vehicles that I’ve managed to come across for a good price, or from friends of mine, there are quite a few on the channel now that I’ve gotten from one friend who searches for them and enjoys buying them, and I enjoy working on them so it works out well.
Is that a petrified possum up front there or an upper radiator hose???
Hi there I know you can make it run sow keep it up
Good little their
The Ford Courier was not available with 4x4. Please video the unique 4x4 drivetrain components. Dormant engine running videos, are common...
Four Wheeler magazine did a nice conversion and article, back when these trucks was new.
They used a Toyota front axle and a divorced Dana 20 transfercase.
The Dana 20 was converted to divorced, with a kit from Novak or Advance Adapters.
The same kit it still occasionally available; limited runs. Both companies have made the kit.
Many have odd beds, because they was originally sold without a bed, to avoid the "chicken tax"; due to being a Mazda import.
The stock bed could be purchased from the dealer and bolted on, after it has arrived at the dealership.
Many dealers just added the stock beds themselves and added the cost to the purchase price.
When the first Ford Ranger's was released, the base model rear bumper, was an added dealer option. You could buy a stripped base model cheap.
Some Courier's got the optional Ford 2.3 engine, that was used in the later Ranger.
Looks like you got lucky and got the Ford 2.3, from the video; strong rotating assembly.
A Turbo version from the Ford Thunderbird, is a common bolt in swap.
I’ll try to get a closer look at the 4x4 aspect of this vehicle on a future episode. The only info I could find on it, and I’m not sure if this truck is one of them, but there was a company in Kelso, Washington that converted around 1500 of these to 4x4.
I’d be very interested to find out more about the turbo upgrade you mentioned.
Thanks for all the info.
A few new bobbins and needle that ole singer under the hood should be good to go...
Never seen one in person! But I do remember the 4 wheeler magazine in the 1970s that had an article about it! Same bed as a chevy luv! Almost bought a Chevy Luv four wheel drive once! I wonder if they were also conversions?
It would be pretty cool to get my hands on that issue of 4 wheeler magazine.
The Luv 4x4 was factory
@@mickeythompson1562 Thank you sir! I didn't know they were! The stepside bed was the same one used on the Ford courier correct?
@@ThomasSmith-fz6wq Yes, every stepside body on a mini truck that I saw at that time looked the same. I was 15 years old in 1979 and I wanted a mini truck,any brand,badly. A kid at my high school got a brand new chevy luv stepside with wide tires and fender flares. It was banana yellow and looked cool. Chevy started advertizing the 4x4 Luv. I worked at a Chevy dealership in 1981 when I was a senior in high school. That was last year of the Luv. The S-10 started in '82. I am a Ford fan and never have seen the 4x4 Courier in person. That is a neat truck.
@@mickeythompson1562 Wow that's pretty cool dude! I was a sophomore in 1982 when the ford ranger first came out! I remember wanting one! They were cool looking little trucks! To me they looked a lot nicer than the S 10!