Thread: Needed a new ute. Didn't get a 130, but it's got a 130" wheelbase!

My young bloke's best mate has had a BT50 with the 3.2 litre engine for over a year now, and he loves it. Only thing he doesn't like about it is he says the headlights aren't very good. It's basically the same ute as the Ford, except I just can't handle the look of the thing. I reckon that Mazda employed the bloke from SsangYong with his big ugly stick when they did the front and rear end design on this model.

As for the Amarok - as Baz has said, you can get low range with the 6 speed manual version. Shaun's is an 8 speed auto, and seriously, you don't need low range with that transmission. His is the latest model that is not affected by the recent pollution trickery issues, and not subject to any recall or modifications. I've driven it plenty of times and find it quite a good ute to drive - a bit harsh in the rear end because he has the heavy duty suspension package rather than the "comfort" option, but a bit of weight thrown in the back improves the ride significantly. I certainly don't see any issues with the size of it, nor with the ability to park it / manoeuvre in tight areas etc - but I'm used to large vehicles having owned a Ford F100 for a long time before buying my first Disco. The Amarok is no more difficult to drive / park than the Disco. The only "issue" with the Amarok is that, with the heavy duty rear suspension fitted, the ute has a "nose down" attitude which is a bit annoying. Shaun is looking at upgrading the front suspension because of this.

For his birthday last week, I bought him a data cable and licence to software from a company in the US that allows him to plug into the Amarok's computer and change a lot of the settings in there. Turns out that there are a lot more "changes" you can make to VW / Audi vehicles using this software than are available with the Land Rovers (can even adjust the accuracy of the speedo). He's been having fun playing with this over the past couple of days, and already has a number of people he knows wanting him to plug it into their VW's / Audi's (the software will work with all VW group vehicles to some extent or other - wonder what he could do with it plugged into a Lamborghini).

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

No mate...that's only in the pk and older models.

the blank ...fully blank....just slots in between the gasket....the holes are relieved on one side to allow this....you just loosen the screws ....with difficulty and slide it in.

if it's a manual takes about 15mins if auto a bit longer due to transmission cooler I believe.

apparently no ecu mods are needed unless you want them done. most owners claim a performance or driveability improvement.

I have taken my muffler out of the exhaust system and its completely free flow with very little change in exhaust note. that definitely made an improvement.

Thanks for that info. A blanking plate will be a cheap fix for the EGR issues.

Wonder if Ford can pick it up when they service it, and if it invalidates the warranty. Am guessing so!

There is a lot of talk and speculation about this but on their forum no one has yet been challenged by Ford for having one fitted.

It's not fitted in the upper part of the system like the LR but down underneath on lhs of engine.

Unless Ford got a bee up their arse about it being blanked , I can't see any issues. The engine actually runs cleaner.....I'm waiting for mine to arrive in the mail and once fitted can report back.

OK - that's very interesting.

I'll see how you go fitting yours (I hear it is a bit of a bugger to fit) and what you think.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Redback

Our Amarok has been good so far, but ours is in the recall for the emissions problem, we have joined the class action too, the fix they have for the Amarok is not good enough and involves extra on going running costs, less fuel economy and less power.

got any link back to volkswagen for this comment? i've got a vehicle with the engine in question. haven't followed this issue much at all - still early days i thought. not sure who is worse - VW or the lawyers circling.

What a good decision!

Imagine if they put the 3.2 in the Defender! They might actually sell some to people other than hipsters!

Originally Posted by spudboy

OK - that's very interesting.

I'll see how you go fitting yours (I hear it is a bit of a bugger to fit) and what you think.

Thanks

Its in , cost $6 posted from Melbourne.

Yes , it's a bit of a bugger on your own.

You need about 500mm of 3/8" or 1/4" socket extensions with a universal joint before the 10mm (thinwall if possible) socket.

Right where you want to put the socket on the top bolt are the breather pipes for diffs and xfer case.

If you have someone to help from the top , push the pipes out of the way while you undo top bolt.....about 6 half turns out. Then do the bottom one , the plate slips in very easily. Tighten up in reverse procedure.

The difference is quite amazing , noticeable smoothness, especially changing gears as the throttle/egr interlink, which activates as soon as you back off
throttle , no longer gives the manifold a gutful of hot dirty air.

The fuel consumption is immediately noticeably improved as well , by what appears to be a significant amount. I'm not sure if eliminating that ****ty air into the inlet manifold could make that much difference , but of course the engine is now getting nice clean air from the intercooler at all times.

My recommendation , do it asap.

If you need pics goto the Newranger forum......theres heaps there, search just like here, you can see lots of piccys.

Take the time to get underneath with a good light and the bonnet open and identify the bolts on the flange , be careful....many have cut their fingers pushing and pulling , I don't know how , but you can can see pics of bloodied fingers in their forum as well.

Good luck with it mate.

Dennis

Thanks a 1,000,000 for all that!

And 'by omission' I gather you've not had an Engine Light Fault, which is good news.

I'll do a search on that forum for some pictures of how it's done.

Cheers
David