Advice wanted on Ford/Holden utes

[Flip]

every cunt and his dog has a holden or ford, theyre all shit.

At least they are not fuckwits in jap crap.

[Gremlin]

At 5'11 I've always found I band my knees on things in the Falcon's. Also, Ford have always gone for the wrap around feel on the interior so you get the impression you're embedded inside the vehicle. Those 2 points seem to be related. Holden's tend feel roomier cos of that.

Did you find that the Fords were more compact across a range of models, or a specific one?

Did more reading last night, seems that really, anything you pick is going to have issues. Holdens VU era can have major tyre wear issues due to IRS issues (to the point that tyres can last 7000km odd). BA Fords are rated as being a bit fragile in the fittings, with a lot of plastic, and diff issues. AU actually seems to come out alright mechanically. VU Holdens still have a bigger tray, the AU Fords can have a big blind spot due to supercab setup (not just AU design tho).

[DEATH_INC.]

IRS wont "eat tyres" if your alignment is ok but non IRS vehicles tend to wear a lot more evenly across the tyre on the rear, the early Holden IRS was non adjustable and had to have an aftermarket kit fitted to even get it within the spec Holden recommended, the guys who any brains fitted two kits to make them both camber and toe adjustable

Remember the earlier days of the commodore IRS (VR-VS) when Holden used to issue 'revised' specs every few months so take into account the sag in the crappy tin-can crossmember...
The issue with the Holdens is it's a crap system, when it compresses under load (ute-think about it....) and acceleration, it gains negative camber, of which they normally have to much already, and it also toes out, the combo of these two things will drastically shorten tyre life.
As Kick mentioned, there are things that can be done, but these are only a band-aid, they don't fix the problem.

[Gremlin]

As Kick mentioned, there are things that can be done, but these are only a band-aid, they don't fix the problem.

Learnt a lot on this thread: http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/...den-shame.html

Details a guy having a big barny with Holden, but has plenty of good info about the suspension, how to sort etc. No idea how it turned out for him...

[Mental Trousers]

Did you find that the Fords were more compact across a range of models, or a specific one?

Fords in general. Just about every one I've driven I've banged my knees against something. Only seems to happen in Fords. Might just be me.

[ducatilover]

BA Fords are rated as being a bit fragile in the fittings, with a lot of plastic, and diff issues.

I highly doubt you'll be having tyre wear problems unless you have a dirty big load on it.
The AU would be a better choice than the BA, the AU is better built, the engine has less issues and the diff won't explode. How you describe the BA interior is an understatement, they're absolutely disgusting crap, I've owned better built Hyundais. It's a shame because they'd be great otherwise.
I'm with mental trousers on the space issues though.
The motor in the AU is perfectly adequate for towing and has a MLS headgasket instead of the cheese one the E series 4.0 had, also they don't corrode at the rear of the block so often and they have different head gear.
The 4.0 are a better towing motor than the Dunnydore 3.8, but they are a bit over geared.
Factory fitted trans coolers can drop the lines off every now and then
BA Coons are starting to have rust issues (sills, seat mounts)

My money, I'd buy an AU XR6 manual

[Gremlin]

Yeah, looks like it's come down to AU Ford or VU Holden. Counting against the Ford is cabin room for humans and less tray space. Otherwise it seems to be the more robust option.

[ducatilover]

In reality, ignoring the usual fuck-tards Holden vs Ford crap, both do what you need well, both are comfy, so drive one of each and get the one that's nicer for you, because they're both solid, reliable utes.

I've got a '93 1.8 petrol 4spd Hilux I could possibly sell ya long wheel base too, could fit a VU in the tray

[stify]

re the rust issue on ford au/ba utes or cars for that matter, this is big issue on these vehicles,we have had 2(2001-2002 au utes) come in for wofs within the last 3 months and both failed due to sill rust,only slight evidence when looking under the vehicle but after poking a camera into the affected area the rust was extensive..if you get one of these get it checked

[Kickaha]

Remember the earlier days of the commodore IRS (VR-VS) when Holden used to issue 'revised' specs every few months so take into account the sag in the crappy tin-can crossmember...
The issue with the Holdens is it's a crap system, when it compresses under load (ute-think about it....) and acceleration, it gains negative camber, of which they normally have to much already, and it also toes out, the combo of these two things will drastically shorten tyre life.
As Kick mentioned, there are things that can be done, but these are only a band-aid, they don't fix the problem.

Local Holden dealer booked an alignment with us one day several years back (pre adjustable rear IRS) and when they turned up I asked if their own machine was broken

No they replied, we're fitting so many kits after doing pre delivery wheel alignments to make the rear adjustable and get the cars in spec that GM Australia have told us we need to do one on our machine because they think there is something wrong with it then get two more done on independent machines to compare the results

All three machines they tested the car on came out pretty much the same, I didn't hear what GM said after that

[Gremlin]

re the rust issue on ford au/ba utes or cars for that matter, this is big issue on these vehicles,we have had 2(2001-2002 au utes) come in for wofs within the last 3 months and both failed due to sill rust,only slight evidence when looking under the vehicle but after poking a camera into the affected area the rust was extensive..if you get one of these get it checked

hmmm, thanks. Do you know if Holdens (VU more particularly) suffer these sorts of rust issues?

[Crasherfromwayback]

umm Holden's in general

Whats wrong with good old Toymotas & Nissan's??? cheaper to run (save you money), reliable (save you money), don't come with a white trash premium (save you money), won't be falling apart as you drive down the street (save you money)... Tho I suppose if you're not a good driver Holden is the brand for you. "people who drive Holden, can't" - car enthusiasts

What a crock of fucking shit!

Rach and I got our hands on a 5.7L SS Ute, only 10k, it drives like a goodin, and you can blow most anything into the weeds with two bikes on the back. It doesn't use any oil, has leather seats and is one of the best vehicles I've ever owned. Driven at sane speeds we got to Taupo from Welly on 1/2 tank of gas. See you in ya Toyota or Nissan any day mate. We'll see how you go!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yeah, looks like it's come down to AU Ford or VU Holden. Counting against the Ford is cabin room for humans and less tray space. Otherwise it seems to be the more robust option.

There is actually a remarkable amount of room behind the seats of a Comm ute mate.

[Akzle]

6.2 SS crewman

[Crasherfromwayback]

6.2 SS crewman

Awesome Ute I reckon...but the trays are too short to be much use.