1994 Ford Courier Dual cab 4X4 2.6 petrol
Summary:
Weak but reliable
Faults:
Gas converter (for LPG system) broke down.
Overheats easily, once engine is turned off.
General Comments:
Not much has gone wrong with the car, but one thing that appears to be innate in its design, is the ease with which it gets too hot once engine is switched off.
I think its relative weakness, high torque even when doing a 100kph in 5th gear, engine heat, are all due to a comparatively small engine for a car its size. 2.6 and 4 cylinders is just not enough.
At a 100kph, you're doing 3000rpm. And on LPG, you can get only 300kms to a tank of 52L.
Just don't drive in hilly country, or pull anything too heavy, ie, don't have too much expectations about performance, and it will prove to be a reliable car that just keeps going.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 14th February, 2009
30th Nov 2009, 17:11
You know, just before I sold the car, the problem was fixed. And all it took was a new radiator and coolant.
And I took it to 3 different mechanics before that, none was able to 'reproduce the symptoms'.
And the day I sold it, and saw it drive away I thought: there goes my most reliable car.
9th Aug 2017, 00:13
I have a 2wd xtra cab. Just about to click over 400,000km. Original motor. Is feeling its age, but is still going.
22nd Oct 2009, 05:33
Hi, I drive a 2 wheel drive long bed ute, 2.6 litre petrol, 5 speed manual gearbox. 1994 model. Engine is strong for its size, very willing.
I've never had an overheating problem except when the radiator needed replacing a 110,000km. I've had the little coolant hose under the manifold break & still it did not get overly hot. It was an absolute nightmare to get at though.
Lifters replaced at 80,000km, & the synchro on second gear are weak from the start. Fuel economy is extremely lousy at 14 litres per 100km around town unladen.
It now has 175,000 on the clock & the input shaft bearing in the gearbox is getting noisy. The thing has never let me down though, & it kind of grows on you well into old age. But I now think it's time to go. Maybe one of the new Mitsi range...