Advice wanted on Ford/Holden utes

[steve_t]

6.2 SS crewman

That'd be hard to find since they never made an LS3 crewman but I'm sure a few people will have shoehorned one in somewhere

[Gremlin]

6.2 SS crewman

As cfwb says, tray is too short, plus they're a bit out of my budget (which has grown from "something cheap" to oooh, that feature would be good...)

I doubt I'd transport a bike bigger than the GSA, but I've come across people shorter than the bike...

[Akzle]

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAm1fJjc6x4

leave the gate down.. get 2 bikes in there i reckon.

can pick up a second handy one for <20k... and they're sexy as hell.

[ducatilover]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAm1fJjc6x4

leave the gate down.. get 2 bikes in there i reckon.

can pick up a second handy one for <20k... and they're sexy as hell.

Ever been in the back of one? Uncomfy as hell.
Better off buying an SS wagon, handle better, ride better, same amount of room.
Then be logical and ride the bike instead of putting it on the ute

[stify]

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

I have not seen any sill rust issues with a vu to date,they tend to suffer from driveline clunks(diff,drive shaft and rear axle play/wear),body control module problems,brake shudder,bent or worn frnt sway bar links,worn top strut bearings, and some other holden related things,I've worked for both holden and ford dealers(workshop team leader/forman etc) and have found the falcon to be a little more durable but the commie does drive more like a car and is more comfy for sure

[steve_t]

I have not seen any sill rust issues with a vu to date,they tend to suffer from driveline clunks(diff,drive shaft and rear axle play/wear),body control module problems,brake shudder,bent or worn frnt sway bar links,worn top strut bearings, and some other holden related things,

Oh yeah, ABS module seems common too

[stify]

Oh yeah, ABS module seems common too

oh that too,it's an easy fix though...if you go to the right place

[caspernz]

At the risk of looking at the topic differently...have you considered a 2 litre car and using a trailer to occasionally transport a bike?

I mean it's not like you're a doctor who buys a Harley and transports it to a rally...

[Akzle]

Ever been in the back of one? Uncomfy as hell.

the only ute i've been on the back on is my L2 and that was for... err. recreational purposes.

IFFEN i'm IN a cage, i'm either behind the pedals or next to the guy who is.

[Kickaha]

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!

Had a 3.0 turbo Hilux for a few years, they'll hit 160kmh with a bit to spare and with two bikes on the back (closed private road testing) and at semi legal speeds do an easy 6-700 km to a tank of gas

Commodore is a little bit nicer to drive but I'd have the Toyota any day

[Gremlin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAm1fJjc6x4

leave the gate down.. get 2 bikes in there i reckon.

Well I'm not spending $20k... the tray is about 700mm shorter than a standard ute and it's likely the BMW wouldn't fit in with tail up anyway. I think those 700mm would definitely be required. I'm at the point there tho, where I need to take some measurements of the utes and the bike, to see exactly how it would sit (short of taking a ramp to the ute and riding the bike on )

At the risk of looking at the topic differently...have you considered a 2 litre car and using a trailer to occasionally transport a bike?

Don't have the room to store a trailer, an extra set of fees/maintenance, do I get a bike only one, or something practical, which makes it bigger again. Towing it, storing it, parking it when out etc. It's also the practicality of having the capability right there, rather than needing to fetch a trailer per se... Already had a mate comment it's good of me to get a ute, then he can borrow it... mmmm. It has begun.

Thanks stify. I've gone full circle from Holden to maybe Ford, they're durable, oh rust, Holden, shit, parts... think parts are easier to sort than rust. Rotors seem to be a theme amongst Holden AND Ford... Will be looking carefully at tyre wear on any vehicle tho...

[Scuba_Steve]

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!

course you're neglecting the tanks on those things are on avg twice the size of the jappa's too.
Hey if you've managed to find a Holden that isn't falling apart & you're happy with the fuel usage. Good for you. Me I will stick with the Jappa's, tho truth be told my ute is British running a Holden... Best of both worlds

[Crasherfromwayback]

Had a 3.0 turbo Hilux for a few years, they'll hit 160kmh with a bit to spare and with two bikes on the back (closed private road testing) and at semi legal speeds do an easy 6-700 km to a tank of gas

Commodore is a little bit nicer to drive but I'd have the Toyota any day

Yeah but that wasn't what I meant. He says people that drive Holdens can't or some similar thing...I say fucking bullshit. I bought what I did because I drive them like most people don't. It wasn't the economy thing I was meaning Toyota's and Nissans can't do. Its beat me from here to Gisborne etc. You can drive an SS ute like a sports car even with bikes and gear on. And I do. It's fucking awesome. I can drive it like I did my XJR Jag...but maybe quicker...WITH bikes on board.

[ducatilover]

course you're neglecting the tanks on those things are on avg twice the size of the jappa's too.
Hey if you've managed to find a Holden that isn't falling apart & you're happy with the fuel usage. Good for you. Me I will stick with the Jappa's, tho truth be told my ute is British running a Holden... Best of both worlds

65L tank from memory.
The V8s can do under 10L/100km, the manual is actually quite decent on the open road

[Crasherfromwayback]

course you're neglecting the tanks on those things are on avg twice the size of the jappa's too.
Hey if you've managed to find a Holden that isn't falling apart & you're happy with the fuel usage. Good for you. Me I will stick with the Jappa's, tho truth be told my ute is British running a Holden... Best of both worlds

Nah. It can't be too large mate...even at the price of fuel now think the most I've put in it was $155.00. So for me...to drive to Taupo for $80.00...I'm well happy. And I'll take you for a drive in it anytime if you like. It's done 230000 km's...but still out handles the XJR I last drove. With bikes on. It doesn't rattle or squeak...steers and brakes well. Flys throw every wof check...and sounds better than any diesel ute every built. Did I mention it has a full leather interior?