[Titan4547]

Hello everyone! 

Been creeping this forum and been wanting to join but finally have a reason to jump in. I’ve got an 81 Ford Courier (Old UHaul truck) that I’ve had for a good time now and I just recently picked up a good running 2.3T out of an 86 Turbo Coupe. I’m throwing a T5 from a 91 Mustang 2.3 behind it and hoping to just make a fun little truck. Still looking for some pieces like an engine harness and some random bits but I’ll definitely be around asking a bunch of questions on here. Just want to do the swap right the first time! Glad to be here!

[TurboRagtop]

Welcome to TurboFord!
Where are you located? I am in Gilbert Arizona.
Sounds like a fun little project.

[TurboRay]

I’ve got an '81 Ford Courier  

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WELCOME to TurboFord, Titan......what's your name? My first turbo Ford was a '78 short-bed Courier (lime green with a 2.3, 4spd & blow-thru carb)......wish I still had it. Does/did yours have a factory-installed 2.3 like mine (rare) or one of the more-common 1.8/2.0 Mazda motors? If the latter, you'll find that the welded-in crossmember is different than the ones for a 2.3......making it slightly more difficult than a straight bolt-in Lima .swap.  <shrug>

[Titan4547]

Welcome to TurboFord!
Where are you located? I am in Gilbert Arizona.
Sounds like a fun little project.

I’m in Sierra Vista. About an hour south of Tucson

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I’ve got an '81 Ford Courier  

.
WELCOME to TurboFord, Titan......what's your name? My first turbo Ford was a '78 short-bed Courier (lime green with a 2.3, 4spd & blow-thru carb)......wish I still had it. Does/did yours have a factory-installed 2.3 like mine (rare) or one of the more-common 1.8/2.0 Mazda motors? If the latter, you'll find that the welded-in crossmember is different than the ones for a 2.3......making it slightly more difficult than a straight bolt-in Lima .swap.  <shrug>

It’s a 2.3 with a 4 speed manual behind it

[TurboRay]

(My Courier is) a 2.3 with a 4 speed manual behind it

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GOOD!  

BTW ~ if you ever get tired of the "grounded/vibrating-engine syndrome" .and you're a good fabricator, you could quiet down your cabin noise significantly by installing a "rag joint" between the steering shaft and the steering gear. As delivered, all Couriers and Mazda p/ups from "that era" had steering shafts that were integral with the worm gear inside the solid-mounted steering gear (example below). 

As a result.......all noises and vibrations from the frame are transmitted directly to the dashboard/cab and steering wheel. IOW, any other rubber biscuits or insulating mounts that were intended to reduce the transmission of engine &/or frame noises/vibrations to the occupants was circumvented by that poor design!  <eek>

[Titan4547]

(My Courier is) a 2.3 with a 4 speed manual behind it

.
GOOD!  

BTW ~ if you ever get tired of the "grounded/vibrating-engine syndrome" .and you're a good fabricator, you could quiet down your cabin noise significantly by installing a "rag joint" between the steering shaft and the steering gear. As delivered, all Couriers and Mazda p/ups from "that era" had steering shafts that were integral with the worm gear inside the solid-mounted steering gear (example below). 

As a result.......all noises and vibrations from the frame are transmitted directly to the dashboard/cab and steering wheel. IOW, any other rubber biscuits or insulating mounts that were intended to reduce the transmission of engine &/or frame noises/vibrations to the occupants was circumvented by that poor design!  <eek>

Huh wow I’ll definitely need to look into that. My biggest hold up at the moment is finding a wiring harness which I just want a stock one for now just to get it up running. Once it’s moving I’ll definitely get that done!

[sctur601]

Hi from az also. Check out https://bigrmotorsports.com. he sells harnesses for a real reasonable price. Scroll down his page and you will find them.

[Titan4547]

Hi from az also. Check out https://bigrmotorsports.com. he sells harnesses for a real reasonable price. Scroll down his page and you will find them.

Damn I just looked, I’ll probably be investing in a lot of their products. You’re a life saver! Appreciate it

[sctur601]

No problem, good to hear that it will help you out.