1973 courier/ ranger build

[1991fordranger1]

Tacked a couple pieces of 2x2×.188 onto the frame will hang the mounts off the piece of 2x3x.250 that's across the front. I have decided I want to run shackle at rear as it seems to be the preferred from people I've talked too for ride quality.

When setting up caster fo I have to rotate forwards or back wards a degree one way or the other to deal with spring compression with weight on it? I need to get this front axle done so I can get into the rear its easy get my head around. This front axle is making me frustrated

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[1991fordranger1]

Some progress

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[1991fordranger1]

So it has been over a year since i posted.


As life goes on time to get to these things seems to slip but I'd like to keep people updated.

I do not have photos of it but since my last post I've installed the rear axle making my own mounts and using 64" chevy springs. Nothing really to exciting but it happened.


I've ripped the doors off the truck and done repair to the kicker panels making them out of 16guauge sheet. It was easier to just replace the entire piece then to patch it and being as they are mirrored side to side I just did them both for simplicity and to make it look like it should be that way.

Not the greatest picture but you get the idea.


Next i decided to remake the factory body mount out of some tubing and double as a reinforcement for the front suspension rear mount. I just xopyed the factory style mount but made it out is square tube for simplicity again.

il

It's made plenty heavy but using scrap metal you take what you can get.


I've moved on to the floor and tunnel work it's slow but more I do the more I learn which is what these projects are about.

I formed the tunnel out of 14 gauge just to add a stiff ridged point in the middle.


Next I made floor pans out of 16 gauge and formed them to fit with a little bit of cross braking for strength. I will ad some reinforcement when it's all in there and I can see where my seats will go I'll form some channel to make a seat bracket slash stiffener.

This is when I just had them sitting in there. I still have a bit of trimming and fitting to do but its coming.

I'd love to drive this truck this year so I'm pushing hard as I can now but progress is progress

 

[Blmpkn]

Awesome!

Life certainly does slow down cool projects, I'm hoping to finish my twin turbo ls wagon project this year... that started 3 years ago lol.

 

[sgtsandman]

You’re telling me! I have a retaining wall I’ve been building for about two years now. A dislocated shoulder and a deployment have really slowed my roll. On the plus side, settling and wall movement should not be an issue because of it...

 

[BlackBII]

Floor and tunnel looks great! Good job man. Happy to see some updates one this one.

 

[1991fordranger1]

I did a Reno on my shop this past fall and wired in a phase converter for my mill I bought I've been busy but with my new set up in my shop and tinned interior I can make sparks with out worrying about burning my place down.

I'll try to keep you posted and keep doing lots of little bits to keep progress happening

 

[wildbill23c]

Truck is looking good, lot of work just to swap engines and transmissions...may have been easier to just start from scratch and glue the emblems onto whatever came out...I mean that's what Ford has done with the new Ranger and Bronco, may as well have built a new version of the Courier, but I love that you are keeping it mostly the original body shell, I love the older trucks, don't see many couriers around anymore.

That 5 cylinder diesel should have no problems moving that Courier around. I like where you are going with that Courier.

 

[1991fordranger1]

Truck is looking good, lot of work just to swap engines and transmissions...may have been easier to just start from scratch and glue the emblems onto whatever came out...I mean that's what Ford has done with the new Ranger and Bronco, may as well have built a new version of the Courier, but I love that you are keeping it mostly the original body shell, I love the older trucks, don't see many couriers around anymore.

That 5 cylinder diesel should have no problems moving that Courier around. I like where you are going with that Courier.

I bought it because it was a cool little truck and I had some parts. I had never heard of a courier before I bought this one.

The only visible difference I'm going for with this truck is 4x4 so bigger tires and 4x4 system. And I'll need some sort of a flare to not get flack from the rcmp for my tires sticking out.

I enjoy the project is why I'm doing it. When I bought this truck i had 1 son so truck was fine. I now have 3 sons so I am already dreaming about future projects. I think a international scout would be a cool vehicle for multiple kids and a wife but my heart will always be with little trucks

 

[racsan]

just found this thread, interesting!
*watching*

 

[wildbill23c]

I bought it because it was a cool little truck and I had some parts. I had never heard of a courier before I bought this one.

The only visible difference I'm going for with this truck is 4x4 so bigger tires and 4x4 system. And I'll need some sort of a flare to not get flack from the rcmp for my tires sticking out.

I enjoy the project is why I'm doing it. When I bought this truck i had 1 son so truck was fine. I now have 3 sons so I am already dreaming about future projects. I think a international scout would be a cool vehicle for multiple kids and a wife but my heart will always be with little trucks

The project looks great, but I'd love to see an IH Scout build too....yep the little trucks are very much under appreciated for what they're able to do.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I can't wait to see this done. I don't know why you don't see many of these trucks. You see more of the old Mazdas than you do the couriers.

 

[1991fordranger1]

Well the Subaru seats I got are just physically too big need to do some research before I try to buy anything else

 

[1991fordranger1]

I'm getting to the point where I might be somewhere but with the laws getting harsher by it being a 2wd registered vehicle to convert to diesel and 4x4 will require a inspection where I'm told I will be denied from the heavy modifications of my frame I think I may be in need of a new donor vehicle ?☹??

 

[1991fordranger1]

Hi I'm brendan and I have a mini truck problem.


400 bucks with a pretty minty body

Motor is toast but who cares 2.9s arent the best for 4x4ing anyways