BA Ford V8 ute... thoughts

[Cap]

Hi all,

My bro is looking at getting a BA Ford V8 ute for work purposes. He asked me to see if I can get as much info on the car, both pros and cons. I know that the previous model ford had heaps of problems, but pretty much heard OK things about the BA (new engine etc). Anyone here own a BA, or know about them?

Cheers,

[mudmouse]

I had a BA XR8 as a work car, so my experience is limited to that model. As a similar car i'll compare it to an SS (VY/VX).

Pro's: Under load it sounded unreal, and was quick too. Steering is very light, too light for some but i liked (or got used to) the ratio. Comfy ride at normal road speeds. Good instrument and control layout. Look after it and it'll treat you well, as with most things. Headlights are HEAPS better than the SS.

Cons: Not as quick off the mark as a BF and it couldn't catch an XR6T over short distance, they are a rocket. In the sedan the spring/shock pakage is a joke for a 'performance car'. It'll bottom out over speed humps at a slow walk and the rear rebounds at the same slow speed. At high speed the softer suspension DOES NOT inspire confidence like the SS. The thing wobbles around like a tinny. We broke diff mounts a fair bit - Ford introduced a modified diff mount bracket onto the BF but they still broke regularly. Drinks like a thirsty fish - around town 2.5-3 km per litre...turbo is about the same. Mind you that is driving without any concern for economy. Interior trim is poor quality - plastic bits snap off easily.

The basic BA/BF six is a nice driving 'town' car and our work cars are on LPG. Same soft suspension and crappy trim but they're a comfy family car. Work has a few utes but they don't carry much in them. Hope someone else can shed light on their commercial capacity.

I liked the Ford but now i've got a VX (6 Litre) SS and it's growing on me

[VladTepes]

It occurs to me that www.fordforums.com.au (http://www.fordforums.com.au) would be a good place for you to look.
They have a whole section on utes, a whole section on BA's etc. And plenty opf knowledgeable people there just like LR fanatics here !

[CraigE]

Useless as a trady vehicle unless you are a poser trady that does not actually carry a load in the back. This goes for the Holden as well.
Personally I do not see the point of buying a ute unless you are going to use it as one and then needs at least a 1 tonne capacity.
To be honest I would probablly by a jap ute.
If its just his daily drive it will probablly be OK, but if that was the case I would get a sedan.

[VladTepes]

Gotta disagree there. It depends entirely on what his trade is / how much of what type of gear has to be carried.

In the Ford v Holden debate the Ford is the better option as far as gear carrying (more cabin space behind the seats than the holden) as well as a greater weight capacity. The new VE's are even worse - designed from the outset to be a sportscar with a big boot. Really piddly load capacity - similar to that of a Proton Ute !

So sure my the Falcon. Pretty good car and V8's go forever (if you can afford to feed them!).

[cdrtravis]

I had a BA XR6T ute (saw it yesterday on my way to collect the new D3!). The interior was of poor quality, in my opinion, and thanks to leaf-springs for the rear suspension, the handling was bad through corners and nerve-wracking in the wet.

I liked the tray size (still miss it) and the very handy space behind the seats.

The V8s do sound fantastic, but the performance is under par in comparison to the new VE Commodore V8 ute.

[trobbo]

I had a BA XR6 for 3 years from new and being a ford (as well as LR) nut I was rapt to own it, but I wouldn't buy another one.... When I sold it, it had 70,000km on the clock.
The rear cv's wore and began to clunk after every 15000 km. The car would occasionally almost stall at idle (have you been in a ba taxi lately - they now all seem to have a very rough idle). The ABS computer would sometimes feel like it was activating with normal/light braking and the steering wheel turned. The power steering would occasionally make excessive wherring sounds.
The V8 might be different but I would not buy one as it appeared to me to be built to last 100,000km only. Anything after that and your service costs would probably quite high.

[HangOver]

Hi all,

My bro is looking at getting a BA Ford V8 ute for work purposes. He asked me to see if I can get as much info on the car, both pros and cons. I know that the previous model ford had heaps of problems, but pretty much heard OK things about the BA (new engine etc). Anyone here own a BA, or know about them?

Cheers,
Check the rotors for warping they have a problem when they get warm and the steering wheel wobbles if they are warped.
the fix is to replace rotors and pads.

[Cap]

Thanks guys. I didnt want to go to a Ford site as I wanted a more unbiased opinion of them. From what ive read so far, hes better off buying something other than the holden/ford utes. Hes trade is welding/fabrication, so he will be carrying fairly heavy loads, another reason not to buy one. He needs a 4x4 ute really as he will be doing some work in areas where unselaed roads will be plenty.

Cheers,

[BigJon]

The rear cv's wore and began to clunk after every 15000 km.

Not a problem for a Falcon Ute, they don't have CVs. Ford still labour under the misconception that live axles in road vehicles are a good thing...:p

[agrojnr]

I own a lowered (3inch) BA wagon with full service history and only 125000km.
Range ford service it and they reckon there is nothing wrong with it even though its a 02 model.

Get a 03 model with service history you can't go wrong

My mate has a 03 XR8 sedan full service history and only 90000km he has had no problems

If not go for a 130 that will deal with anything you chuck at it but it will be slower:cool:


Adam:twisted:

[cdrtravis]

The V8 might be different but I would not buy one as it appeared to me to be built to last 100,000km only. Anything after that and your service costs would probably quite high.

I agree. That's why I got rid of mine. The general quality just said "I'm not built to last".

I also forgot about the weird groaning I used to get from the rack when steering at low speeds. The Ford dealer tried a few times to fix it, but it never completely went away. Oh yes, and I started to get clunks from the rear when moving from a standstill and pointing up hill.

For an affordable 4x4 work ute that isn't LR (I know, I know), I would certainly recommend the new Triton GLX-R. Very nice to drive, and from what I've read from various owners, very reliable and well built. I had a go in an auto 3.2TD and thought it was superb. An mere extra $1000 gets you a rear diff-lock too!

[TJS-70Y]

We have a couple at my work and they are buckets of ****. One of them has a new diff centre every 2nd service (20,000 km's). The other one had 90,000 km's when it's pinion bearing seized and the tailshaft tied itself in a knot at 100 kays on the M7. That was it's 5th diff. It tore the back out of the auto at the same time and put some impressive gouges in the LPG tanks. My boss will never buy another ford as a result of the lost time incurred by just these two vehicles. The other two were not much better, one was deliverd with a bent tailshaft and the other had no idle program in the ecu.

Thomas

[CraigE]

Gotta disagree there. It depends entirely on what his trade is / how much of what type of gear has to be carried.

In the Ford v Holden debate the Ford is the better option as far as gear carrying (more cabin space behind the seats than the holden) as well as a greater weight capacity. The new VE's are even worse - designed from the outset to be a sportscar with a big boot. Really piddly load capacity - similar to that of a Proton Ute !

So sure my the Falcon. Pretty good car and V8's go forever (if you can afford to feed them!).
Mate,
Come on be honest, they are more a reps vehicle than a tradesmans. What are they supposed to hold 500kgs to 750kgs. Does not take much to get there and they struggle with that. I am a Holden man and can not see the point of having either the Ford or Holden ute. I have to honestly say as far as being a prctical ute goes and repair parts availability goes I would have a Toyota Landcruiser ute. May be blasphemy but for business you need to live in the real world. I would love to say 130 but with LRs lack of service, it could cost you your business out here.
The only reason I would have a Ford / Holden ute was as a flash ride, not as a work vehicle. I would actually rather restore an old Holden 1 tonner and put in an injected motor and better brakes.
;):p;)

[81stubee]

As with all things depends on how you treat it, I drive a 03 BA Tray for work and its great for work (sparkie), compared to the hilux i've had in the past. The Jap utes are only just catching up now with standard equipment and handling. The falcon/commodores are good because your just driving a sedan with 2 doors and a tray.

Up until the boss got his 05BF Ute he flogged the S#$T out of this one. But he only has two accelerator positions off and flat even when towing the 2 ton scissor lift, now he complains that his has a diff whine. I drive a bit gentler and the car tends to go a bit better.

That being said, all cars have their problems, and the diff in the ford is a weakness, so I dont imagine a V8 would be much better on the diff, besides the 4.0l has heaps of power anyway.

[Range Blitzer]

We have a couple of RTV traybacks at work, one of which I live in. They seem to have common problems, as allready mentioned the finish quality is poor. Seat belts wont retract, LPG gauges not even close to being accurate, power windows not working, central locking on pass door not operating. We've had the warped disc problem, stalling at idle (autos), the rear shockies on mine came loose at the bottom mounts, it creaks and groans from somewhere underneath when going up a kerb or similar. All our vehicles are from brand new and none have more than 60k on them and are looked after pretty well. One good point is the rear diff lock in the RTV. Its great and works well. I followed a workmate up a ridge line today to get to repeater tower, he was in a Navara in 4wd high range and had to stop at one point and have another bite at a rocky hairpin. My RTV with diff locked crawled straight up effortlessly. Anyway, just another opinion.

[Outback 1]

my nephew bought a gtp ute as his trade vehicle{electrician},and i had a ba wagon .
no problem with either excellent cars to drive and extremely reliable as well as fuel efficient.
i'd recommend them to anyone!