Ford Courier PE (1999-2002)

Ford Courier 1999 model 2lt turbo Diesel – Recently my Courier blew the radiator and over heated. I replaced the head with a brand new head from SA $850.00 Gasket set $200 same place , new water pump, reconditioned my injectors $255.00, replaced temp sending unit and ECU temp sending unit, timing belt and pulley, Idler pulley, new radiator, top and bottom radiator hoses, change oil and filter, changed fuel filter. All this gear readily available from EBAY. Turn the key and she purred. Runs very well, All up $1800.00 myself. Mechanic charges $4000.00. They are a great unit.

Great work horse – Bought the twin cab second hand at auction 18 months old with 51K on the clock. Had been used on the Nullabor with SA health services. Had diff problems. Got that fixed properly the second time and have not had a major problem since. Only the usual things wore out like the radiator, etc. It gets a service every 10,000 km. So, it now has over 370K on the clock, engine is brilliant and it tows the best. Tows the boat without problems (1.7 tonnes) and has towed the caravan to Brisbane twice from Adelaide. Gearbox has had one major service and the radio cassette has been replaced. I run Bridgestone or Continental tyres and get 78K out of them. Only drawback is fuel economy is not real flash, about 18mpg around town and 23 on the open road. But that is a trade off for the work horse it is. Not fast but power for the 2.6L engine. It has LPG fitted and that is good on the mainland where LPG is cheaper than here in Tas. Runs good on gas with little noticeable power loss. So comfortable on the long hauls.

It has a very badly designed gear box. Fifth gear slips and the head cracks. No one should buy these – It lacks power and isnt suited for off road driving. If Ford made changes to reinforce the 5th gear and put in a better alloy head it would make a great difference. Otherwise the Ford Courier is a strong sturdy vehicle. Ford should continue making these uncomplicated and easy to repair vehicles. Fine tuning the diesel pump or replacing it with electronic injection might increase the fuel economy.

OK – As a commercial vehicle it is great. 4x4 is ok not the best but with ok tyres will be fine. Not the best on fuel - 400-475km per 70L tank but on gas great. Will tow anything. Cheap to buy second hand - I have a 99 model. Parts are very expensive (as with all Mazda parts - thats what it is a Bravo rebadged).