SamuelWilson

There is a forum online that specialized in older Datsun compact pickups, like the 1959 Datsun 1000 for example. If anyone knows of this site, please let me know. I am trying to find a 1959-1965 Datsun pickup to purchase.

Just curious if anyone in this forum owns a 1959 Datsun 1000 compact pickup. This was the first compact pickup sold commercially in the United States. If you don't own the 1959 Datsun 1000, but you own a pre 1972 Datsun compact pickup, then tell us about it. From 1972 and on is when everyone joined the bandwagon, Ford Courier, Chevy Luc, etc..

Anyone have anything to add?

I have a 1982 Ford Courier and it is an XLT model. This meant it received the bright trim package (chrome window edges, grill trim, etc). The rear bumper, however, was argent silver or black, but not chrome from the factory as far as I know. The vehicle is absolutely stock, no aftermarket anything. I really do think the truck would look better if I chromed the rear bumper (now silver). I am just concerned about the integrity of the vehicle, I mean I really do want the vehicle to remain stock. What is this forums opinion on chroming a rear bumper that was never chrome to start with? Will I cheapen the value of my truck?

I am not sure how I am going to handle this. I am more educated on my options now though, which is good.

bkazmer, there is a company in Perry, Florida which can chrome this particular grade of vinyl used to make up the bodyside strips on my Courier. The process of chrome plating over vinyl of this grade is actually a process called vacuum metalizing and it is different than electroplating or chrome plating. Vacuum metallizing is a process used to make flash light reflectors and automotive lighting shine like chrome. Vacuum metallizing is the process of evaporating aluminum in a vacuum chamber forming an aluminum cloud which than condenses back on and bonds to the vinyl to form a uniform layer, which shines like chrome.

The vinyl itself does not show age, I can wipe it with protectant and it looks fine. I am really thinking of taking the vinyl strip off, separating it from the double sided tape and having it sent off to be chromed. I realize it would not have the black center, but at least it would be the original bodyside strip. There is no way I can apply chrome film and it look professionally done, it is 1/4" round section on both sides of the middle black vinyl section. It was obviously done on an assembly by a machine. I mean if I could find some exactly like it, I would get it. I just don't know what to do. I do not want my truck becoming just another aftermarket restored vehicle, it will just be another truck then.

Ok, but if I use aftermarket trim, will it effect my truck when it is judged at a show in the future? I would be entering my vehicle as an all stock entry.

I am thinking of removing the entire vinyl strip and having the entire thing chromed, however, it would not have the small black section running down the center. I do want to keep my vehicle stock, what do you guys think? Do you think I would be damaging the value of my vehicle? This is an extremely low mileage stock 1982 Ford Courier XLT. This was the last year Ford made the Courier. They were made from 1972-1982 and it was a rebadged Mazda B-Series B1600, B1800 and B2000 Sundowner from 1972-1984. In 1985 Mazda skipped a year and when they introduced the all new 1986 Mazda B2000, it changed and no longer looked like the old Ford Courier. I guess what I am trying to say is that I don't have just a beater truck. I feel I have a truck of value and when it reaches 25 years old, it will be eligible for aaca shows. Everything else I have done to the vehicle has remained Ford stock parts that would have came on the vehicle off the showroom floor, no aftermarket anything. I spent a great deal of time locating the tires which are the original manufacturer and original size with the exact same width white wall as the original stock set. I even replaced the battery with a Motorcraft and didn't purchase the less expensive aftermarket battery.

Only the front tip is metal and it attaches with a small philips screw. The entire bodyside strip is vinyl. It is grooved to make 3 strips in one, but is one piece. Then center section is just natural black, the color of the vinyl strip itself. The 2 outside sections were covered with this chrome tape material. I have had no problem removing the old material. The bodyside stripe itself is attached well enough to the body, I am not wanting to attempt to remove it if I don't have to. But I don't see how I can attach the chrome tape material as neatly as it was done at the factory. It was obviously laid across the entire thing and then trimmed off to create the sharp clean edges.

The chrome tape like material that covers the bodyside strip on both sides of my 1982 Ford Courier has peeled off do to drying out from age. I have completely peeled it off to show the white vinyl strip it was covering just so the strip would atleast look uniform. Any suggestions on how to repair this? It will not help me to even find bright bodyside molding strips off another Ford Courier XLT as they will be aged also and more than likely be at some stage of peeling. Because this 1982 Ford Courier was an XLT, it recieved the bright molding package which included bodyside with vinyl insert, drip rail, grille surround, rear window, taillamp surround, wheellip, windshield trim. All the bright molding elsewhere on the vehicle is in great shape, it is just this bodyside strip that uses an actual bright tape material that I am trying to restore to its original look. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have a picture below showing you what I mean by a bodyside strip.

I am also looking for anyone who is restoring a 1984 or older Mazda B2000 Sundowner or any 1984 or older Mazda B-Series truck (B1600,B1800).

I am looking for a set of mirrors for a 1979-1982 Ford Courier. (I have the mirrors, but they had an option for larger extended mirrors for vehicles with camper tops and I like the larger extended mirrors better) I need the entire mirror assembly for right and left side. I am also looking for an OEM rear bumper. It had the license plate light on both sides of the license plate, not just one side. The original owner opted for a tow hitch installation and it has a heavy duty aftermarket bumper on it. I want this vehicle to have only geniune ford parts on it. It is not a matter of just getting a bumper, I can get a new bumper that is like OEM, but I want an actual OEM bumper like would have came on my vehicle stock.

I have a show quality 1982 Ford Courier with the original tires that came on the truck. The truck has 29,500 miles and was garage stored and used to drive locally to the grocery store, etc.. I have all the paper work, etc.. The components I have replaced, battery, spark plugs, air filter, etc. are geniune Ford Motorcraft, no aftermarket anything.