1981 Ford Courier

[03redranger]

I have a question about an 81 courier that I can't find an answer to. I might be able to get a 1981 courier for free. It was my grandpa'a and I don't want to see it get thrown away because it is far and away the best condition courier I have ever seen. My question is what rear end came in these trucks? I would like to put a limited slip in the rear and I was just wondering if maybe it has a toyota or suzuki rear end. (I haven't looked in a while, but I think it is a drop out style like a toyota or suzuki). Anyways any info would help. Also are there any upgrades for the engine (2.0) headers, intake manifold, etc.

 

[Mutant Pony]

Welcome to TRS.
The first thing that you need to realize is that the Courier is a Mazda. The only thing made by Ford is the emblems. A Mazda web site might be able to help you more.
Rangers may not have ever been built had it not been for the Courier though.
Good luck.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

It might be a 8 inch ford rear end.

If it does have a drop out third member.

It could also be the 7.5 if it dont, the 7.5 have been around a looooong time.

I didnt think there were any couriers even in existance anymore.

later,
Dustin

 

[Mutant Pony]

No, they didn't have Ford parts back then. They were built in Japan and shipped over here. Some of them did have Ford 2300 engines but, that is it. They did have TK trannies.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I thought mazda and ford were in bed togther in the early 80's?...and didnt all Mazda have was Cars at that time?

I thought it was built by mazda and branded Ford with Ford parts.

later,
Dustin

 

[Mutant Pony]

Ford didn't use any Mazda cars until The Escort went Mazda. ('89 or '90, can't remember anymore) All Couriers were built in Japan, some sub-models did use the 2300 motor with a Japaneze carb and a few other bolt-ons. The courier went all the way back to the early '70s (I don't remember that year either) (not important enough).
Looked it up, '72-'82. The 2300 was optional, '77-'82.
Probe in '89 (Mazda 626) Escort in '90 1/2 (323)

 

[rusty ol ranger]

What engine did it use before 77?

later,
Dustin

 

[Mutant Pony]

They were all 1.8 mazda motors if not the optional 2.3. So before '77 it had to be a 1.8 Mazda.
He said he had a 2.0 so I looked it back up. In '79 they upgraded the base engine to 2.0. So, '72-'78 was 1.8 and '79-'82 was 2.0.

 

[Never_Evil]

The couriers used a 6 Lug Mazda axle. If you are going to drop a healthy V8 in it and want to keep it stock in appearance, I would consider fabbing in a Toyota rear.

 

[Captain Ledd]

I thought mazda and ford were in bed togther in the early 80's?...and didnt all Mazda have was Cars at that time?

I thought it was built by mazda and branded Ford with Ford parts.

They were in bed, only Mazda's maiden name was Toyo-Kogyo. Couriers were pretty much cars, just with a frame and a bed. The stock tire size on the things was about the same as my Saturn SL1, a 185/75R14 flavor, freakin tiny.

The only thing Ford did was stuff the occasional 2300 in them and redo the grill enough to look more similar to the current F150 trucks (early couriers), the later ones got a style slightly more distinctive style of their own (better IMO). I guess the new speedometer and other English lettered parts, but thats really it. Bare minimum to sell it to people in America.

I almost want to say it had a Dana rear end? I hate to day the proverbial "I read it somewhere"... It's really anyone's guess, as to a Dana, Ford 7.5", or a unique Toyo-Kogyo rear end (probably the most likely actually).

A more Mazda specific forum might yield more success.

 

[Mac]

From my old memory I think it was only about a 6 3/4" ring gear. Wheel pattern matched the cheby blazer. I put some wide tires on and toasted that rear end with a auto and mild v-8. I swapped in an 8" out of a Maverick, just had to move the perchs and use wheels with the proper offset. Good luck in finding a L/S for it>
Dave

 

[PVT87]

Ive got a question, Will the 2.3L bolt in to a courier that used to have the 1.8L? or do i need new motor mounts?