Scott's 81 Courier project,
Truck started out as a longbed and is in the process of a major chop and section. The truck has had more than a foot removed from the hieght of the cab. It will get a 383 big block engine and will resemble the small photoshop image when done , the front sheet metal will not be replaced but will be left open, the bed will be chopped down small enough to fit between the wheels on the gm axle that is going into the rear. the windshield has also been laid back as a part of the chop.
Rangers Truck,
Rangers truck is a shortbed and is currently wearing a new coat of paint with coustom grafics and a custom hood scoop.
Richards 81 tilt bed,
This truck is one of the hard to find Uhual rental units and still sports some of the special equipment including the heavy duty rear suspension. The truck is in the process of getting a 97 ranger stepside bed, complete with the ability to tilt. The interior is also getting reworked and plans for a 302 swap are in the works.
Redanni's Flatbed Dually
This little guy started out as a regular short wheelbase pickup. I bought it used in 1980 from Fuller Ford in Chula Vista, CA. I made the work-truck conversion to flatbed with lumber rack and tool boxes. The duals conversion I purchased from a company in LosAngles that is no longer in business; however, I have seen a similar type conversion available in J.C.Whitney's catalog...not the same but one that would work. Over the years as tires transformed from bias ply to radials, I had to install a spacer between both the rear wheels for clearance so that the tires wouldn't rub against each other. The engine is a 2.3 with a Schnieder cam, a 2-barrel Weber carb and K&N filter. It usually runs pretty well--not real good on gas mileage as the truck weighs in @ 4200 lbs. with tools and the duals kill most of the performance. I just recently had it re-painted/new grill/replated the front bumper/re-painted the lumber rack. Some of the pics show that there is a few items missing, but they are on now.
Mr. Incredibles truck,
Mine had one owner since it was purchased in late 79. It was used by a man to drive back and forth to a local coal mine, about 30 miles each way. About 6 years ago the truck just quit running and the owner couldn't figure out why. When I moved, and began renting from the son of the original owner, the truck was sitting in the back yard of the rental. The truck had a topper full of deer antlers and original Courier rims and tires and was sitting in overgrown weeds with four flat tires. The interior was in sad shape with holes rusted through the floor board to the outside.
Getting the beast to run: I asked the son if I could work on it, as the original owner was now deceased. What had happened, that I found, is that the wire on the positive side of the starter solenoid had fell off and grounded against the block, which in turn burnt the fusible link. That's it!! I replaced the starter wire and put a Maxi fuse holder where the fusible link was and the truck fired right up!! I ran it for only a few seconds before shutting it down. I then changed all the fluids and ignition parts, rebuilt the carb and removed the EGR system. The thing that gave me the biggest problem after I started trying to get it running is the pick-up tube coming out of the gas tank had completely rusted shut and I couldn't get enough fuel. I ended up taking out the tank, roto-rutering out the pick-up tube and cleaning out the gas tank.
Interior: For the past year I've been working on the interior and finally completed yesterday!! I started by fixing the rusted out floor boards. I cleaned them up and put rust inhibiting paint on them. I then fabbed new floorboards and riveted them over the top of the old ones. I have installed sound deadener throughout the whole cab, carpeted the floor, installed a cloth headliner, and had the seat reupholstered. I also made custom fiberglass kick-panels, I have about 2000 watts in amps installed behind the seat. They are all running off of a Pioneer Premier CD\MP3 player. My subwoofer is installed in the passenger side floor
Oh, and I replaced all the weather stripping. Future Plans: In the near future I plan to put on some new wheels and tires. Not sure what kind yet. And lower the truck a couple of inches. I have also been doing a lot of research and plan to start accumulating parts to do a 2.3 turbo swap. I would like to get over 300 horsepower to the rear wheels, possibly 400.
D. Woods
Hi all! We brought home this 1981 Courier that my parents bought in 86 as a farm truck. It was parked 5 years ago due to wiring problems (no doubt due to my step fathers inability to fix things right the first time!). After getting the hornets out of it and towing it home, we replaced the battery, valve cover gasket, plugs, wires, cap, roter, cleaned the carb and low and behold, it ran! After frying a dozen fuses we finally fixed most of the shorts and non-working switches by installing a NOS turn signal/ headlight switch on the steering column.
I was really suprised it runs so well but I figure it is worth a few bucks to keep it going as we will save a bundle by parking the big truck and using this little 2.3 with the 5 speed. The truck has so far received needed maint. , minor engine overhaul, and a custom camo paint job.
