Advice wanted on Ford/Holden utes

**Gremlin** · 8th October 2012, 22:27

Originally Posted by Kickaha

On a single cab Hilux I could fit a bike in and close the tailgate on a Commodore I couldn't, I can't remember what year each of them was but you might want to have a measure up

It's close. According to data I'm good for the BMW by more than 100mm, but because the tray sort of cuts under the seats you may not actually get the full length, so quite possibly won't get it on with tail completely shut. Don't need the tail closed, would be nice but wheels are still on the tray. As I say, aware the VU tray is longer than the VS (sort of where my budget lies). Also thinking it's possible to side load if you really wanted... but you'd have to sort tie down points as one of the first orders of business anyway.

Originally Posted by nzspokes

Better still.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-517331253.htm

Is he on crack? $17k? There's a lot of things I would buy before that...

**Mental Trousers** · 9th October 2012, 08:07

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.

If you're towing you want a trailer with an axle set towards the rear otherwise you can occasionally have problems with the back end going light when the weight on the trailer transfers backwards.

Nothing wrong with the Jap utes but the Holden has always been the most comfortable for me. Main thing when you want to carry a bike is the Holden tends to be lower in general than the Jap utes, making loading a bike easier/safer.

My brother has one with a hard cover over the tray. Way more useful than uncovered and removing it is a 2 minute job, although a 2 person one.

Big problem for you is likely to be that the GS is longer than the tray of whatever vehicle you're looking at so the back wheel may not even sit on the tail gate because, as you say, the tray extends under the back of the cabin.

Personally, I've never liked autos. They have higher maintenance costs and require maintenance more frequently.

**rebel** · 9th October 2012, 19:08

The AU XR6s are the best value for $$$ utes on the market, most can be had under 10 grand. You will also find the base model BA utes with steelies and bench seat for under 10 grand which are a good buy. Buying a holden you are paying for a badge much like a Hilux. The IRS in the Holden handles better but if you're going that fast around corners on NZs shit roads just jump on the bike instead. In saying that the Falcons will take more weight and tow better. You will also struggle to find a better engine than the 4.0 fucking bulletproof and a lot of torque compared to 3.8.
If buying a Falcon auto fit an external gearbox cooler infront of the radiator as the factory ones are shit and fail prematurely.
My old AU XR6 manual ute had 650,000km on it when I sold her, original engine and gearbox, although first gear syncro was gone, would return 8.5l/100km Auckland-Wellington consistently. I recommend them.

**Gremlin** · 9th October 2012, 20:03

Hmm, looked at the Hiluxs, I thought the price of Holdens or Fords varied, the Hiluxs are all over the map. Most of the single cabs have had 'tards modify them... I just get the impression they wouldn't have been looked after. Didn't see any autos (yeah, still lazy). Had a look at the Fords, yup, AU/BA seems reasonably priced, you get a year or two newer than the Holden for the same $$$.

From the reading I've tried to find, Fords have a bigger payload but smaller tray (different construction between the brands), but you get more cabin storage space in the Ford vs Holden. Yup, Ford tows more, handles loads better, but big load weight isn't a factor for me... Some commented the Fords of my target era were a bit cramped for big people. Don't think I can be arsed with bench seats, entry BA has that (think I'd prefer the BA to AU). Would avoid LPG either way, Holden it eats up tray room, but just keep it easy with petrol only. I remember years ago accidentally filling my boss' diesel ute with a few litres of petrol... best I keep it simple, bikes use petrol, car must use petrol

Missed the VU II in Gissy, but I'll sit back and keep reading, so keep the advice coming... Eventually the right one will come up. If a mate is wanting to sell, lemme know. Don't care about colour (well, maybe not hot pink).

edit: Already found that 'Treads has some metal wheel chocks for $50, and you can get a mounting kit, so 2 of those (in case I have to carry two bikes) and 3 sets of mounts (single and twin layout). Bolting to tray etc would have to be figured out...

**AllanB** · 9th October 2012, 20:26

I've a Tickford AU XR6 Sedan. Thirsty around town but very good on the open road. Tones of torque out of the IL6, it is a big lazy motor. Tickford suspension is very firm - harsh in shitty old CHCH! BA went twin cam with increase in power etc and better on fuel but dearer to purchase.
Ford utes hold their value well.

**DEATH_INC.** · 9th October 2012, 20:36

Three issues. First, and biggest, it's a Holden. They even put a dog in the grill so you know what you're getting. Second, it's not a V8. Why drive an aussie tank that doesn't even sound good? They aren't much dearer to run. Third, it has shitty holden irs, so be ready to feed it back tyres on a regular basis, even without doing skids.

**Quasievil** · 9th October 2012, 21:50

Dont Listen to Death, he is confused.
but seriously dude, your simply not cool enough to drive a Holden Ute, best you get a Jappa...................has to be said sorry, Now run along laddy

**Quasievil** · 9th October 2012, 21:51

Originally Posted by DEATH_INC.

They even put a dog in the grill

Case in Point lol

**Gremlin** · 10th October 2012, 10:18

Originally Posted by Quasievil

but seriously dude, your simply not cool enough to drive a Holden Ute, best you get a Jappa.......

Sweet, haven't listened to those sorts of opinions since I started school.

Holden it is!

Originally Posted by DEATH_INC

Third, it has shitty holden irs, so be ready to feed it back tyres on a regular basis, even without doing skids.

IRS eats tyres? What sort of mileage are we talking about? If you got something without IRS what would mileage be (normal driving, not spinning it up around every corner)? Thought cars got anywhere from 40-60k from tyres...

**SMOKEU** · 10th October 2012, 10:43

Get a Silverado or Cheyenne. You can just afford a road legal one with your budget.

**Sable** · 10th October 2012, 12:52

Poor decision lacking in rationale.

**Kickaha** · 10th October 2012, 16:55

Originally Posted by Gremlin

IRS eats tyres? What sort of mileage are we talking about? If you got something without IRS what would mileage be (normal driving, not spinning it up around every corner)? Thought cars got anywhere from 40-60k from tyres...

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

However if you're going from laden to unladen a lot it can make a difference because as you increase the load the rear ccamber gets more negative

40-50 is more within normal average but it depends on the vehicle, how it is driven, how it is maintained, I've seen early IRS (non adjustable) HSV Commodore sedans towing get as low as 8k