The Chicken Truck

Check out the brakes on this thing up front!

New wheels and tires lowered the truck almost 3”!

Rollers are always good shots

Still needs to go lower but drives much better with new tires and balancing

Getting prepped for the new wheels and tires

15x8 ET12 with 185/45/R15’s for moderate stretch

New 4' lowering blocks for the rear

Rear back on the ground and looking fantastic

The front was more of a challenge. I had to cut the sway bar end links to get them not to bind but also to allow the coil spring to be removed for cutting.

I didn't want to cut the springs at first, I tried Acura Integra lowering springs but they didnt fit over the shock so out came the grinder

Here is the final product; Tires and springs dropped it almost 6 inches in the front and just around 5 in the rear. A fantastic transformation

This is why I say I gotta lower the rear more (or raise the front) the rake is just a little too much for my liking. I also ended up dropping the truck off the jack and bending the door bottom *facepalm* so that is another issue I will have to deal with

Here is the clearance up front. You can see the cut end links as well. I have to update all of these parts anyhow as the bushings are all toast but the plan is to get Mazda B2000 drop spindles to correct the suspension geometry and hopefully gain some clearance/suspension travel while still remaining low

Hooked on the look baby

For those who don't believe its actually a Mazda B2300, here is the proof. All the glass and a lot of the other parts on the truck are labelled "Nippon Mazda"

Mr. Lawnmower man

I'm very lucky that the fender are fibreglass replacements and as such they dont really have a lip to rub on and they bend out of the way on turns

Felt artsy haha

I don't think I will paint the hood, or any of the truck unless needed. I like the patina, it's a look you have to earn

Picked up some 4X100 15" wire wheels at a steal of a deal. I know they wont fit the 6-bolt pattern of this truck but it would be an awesome look and it got my wheels spinning; What if I put the truck on hydros?

Hangin with the big dawgs

Everywhere it goes it makes a friend it seems!

I tried out some unusual VW hubcaps I have in my collection... I may have to find a way to make these fit next season

Found one original "Courier" badge that is supposed to go on the front fenders. I didnt have two and I dont want to mount it to the grill so I put it on the tailgate where I think it looks as OEM as possible

Found these "Canada" metal badges, very period correct and I have a matching set of them, might end up putting them on the fenders or cab

Almost time to give up trying to drive it for another year :( winter fast approaches

Crack in the rear frame, no issues so far structurally past this. Time to cut and box it for protection and strength! (There was a mouse living in here!)

Part of the low pressure fuel pump broke off the frame in the rear near the crack as well. I fixed it with some sheet steel and bolts. When I get the box off in the spring I will weld it on properly as I fix the frame further

Surface rust on the rest of the frame but I will grind it all down, weld supports and any hairline cracks then POR15 the whole thing for years of enjoyment to come!

This is the only big issue on the frame. A mouse was living in the rail (Entered through one of the existing manufactured holes) and the nest caused the metal to rot from the inside out! It will get cut, boxed and coated in the spring when I have the box off

This is the only big issue on the frame. A mouse was living in the rail (Entered through one of the existing manufactured holes) and the nest caused the metal to rot from the inside out! It will get cut, boxed and coated in the spring when I have the box off

Took the cluster apart to install some Amazon LED bulbs the safe way. Tried to do it with the cluster still in but I just couldn't move my hands that way haha Found out they were polarity specific however which was also nice to learn with the cluster all apart as well

I'm still shocked at how many bulbs there were for just two gauges! it's not like they were very bright from factory either so overall it was eye opening. While I was in the dash I lubed the end of the speedo cable and checked the other connections. HVAC piping was loose so I tightened that all up and got defrost back which is a bonus for a truck that wont see winter ever again hahaha I also found the stock radio harness tucked in behind the OEM radio delete panel so now I know I can install a little bluetooth unit in the dash and some speakers behind the seats to have crusin tunes next summer

With the new LED's installed! the colour is way more blue VS the old murky green and I have to say visibility has improved drastically! Now I can properly see how far off my speedo is because of my undersized wheels hahaha

All the projects tucked away for winter, always a sad time.

My boy and the purrfect helper Steve stands guard over the Courier for me