LN167 vs 2000+ Ford Courier/Mazda Bounty

[useless_surf]

After slowly working through my grief after getting my 1uz surf stolen I have decided its time for a new truck. Looking for a late model double cab ute and have come up with either a LN167 or Courier/Bounty. Mostly going to be used for diving and hunting and the odd club trip with a few mods ie body lift, suspension lift, 33s. My main concern is that I have very little knowledge about LN167's (have had a 90's shape (RN105) and would have another one if the engine selection wasn't so poor in terms of power) and their reliability and even less about couriers. Any input on either of these vehicles reliability and mod'ability, or any other suitable utes, would be greatly appreciated.

[Crash bandicoot]

Hilux hands down.

It is a little odd how two vehicles could be so similar in purpose and design and yet perform so differently...and the hilux has had less changes in it's history then the courier/bounty range and yet still get walked over by the hilux.

Ole man has owned courier's and now a bt50. forever towing him out of what you'd think were easy places for such a vehicle.

I'll add that the courier/bounty suffer from a pain in the arse positioned cross member that is directly below the gap between the deck and the cab. The front of the fuel tank bolts to this and creates a nice are for mud dirt dog piss etc etc to sit.....from memory every one of the ole mans work utes has had to have rust repairs to this area.

[Mehrts]

The Hiluxes 5L 3.0 non turbo engine is not the fastest beast, but like the older 3L 2.8, they will last forever if maintained.

Can't comment if it's got the later 5L-E with the electronic injection pump.

[Crash bandicoot]

and to cure the "underpoweredness" you may find in a hilux the 5vz-fe v6 from a toyota Granvia and a surf gearbox make for good fun at the traffic lights.

[useless_surf]

Yea not too sure of the exact chassis code but was really thinking of a 1kz if it was going to be a hilux. Its really the price that had me more interested in the courier, as you can pick one up for 3-4k less than a similar ks hilux, but have only heard bad things ie going through wheel bearings, head gaskets and glow plugs like hot dinners. Have heard that the Ford 2.5 turbo diesel has reasonable power however. Are there suspension and body lift kits out there for the courier?

[Still Unbroken]

I have an 05 Mazda bounty used for work and daily driving... I'm quite impressed with it, enough (not heaps) power and very nice to drive. It eats glow plugs (3 sets in two years) but everything else mechanical is ticking over quite nicely... not sure about off road as I run a pzj70 for that but it gets round the farm and down to the river with no probs. I have 31" Hankook dynapros and that's as big as you'll get without a lift of some description... I haven't looked in to it as I don't really need to.
Also at 13k for a 190000 km vehicle, It was a no brainer for my use Good luck with the decision.

[bounty2001]

Had a bounty, glow plugs do require constant replacement, exhaust manifold warping can be an issue as is cracking heads. 5th gear not for towing. Door seals can let go causing terrible wind noise at over 80ks. Free wheeling hubs can disengage during descents losing 4wd when you actually need it. These are some of the common issues that I was aware of.
I ran 235/85/R16 Maxxis buckshots with no lift slight rub at full lock and suspension compressed slightly.

[zukmeista]

Imho the Courier 2.5's are gutless, very narrow powerband. To be honest I prefer driving my non-turbo 2.8 rugger, it may not have as much power but it is there from 1500-4000 rpm.

[buried]

Mate had many of them in their work fleet (couriers), learnt very quickly to change the radiators every 100,000k's and no more cracked heads.

[u13turbo]

The couriers/bountys are great trucks for the money. Personally I'd have one over a lux anyday.