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

Originally Posted by debruiser

So they are much like a defender on the features list

Very close... Lucky the Defender has other things going for it, the Hilux doesn't that I have been able to find. I've driven the new one and a lot of the previous model and none of them have thrilled me at all. My biggest bitch with them all is how uncomfortable the seats are for even short times spent behind the wheel.

Before you say anything else, I can sit in a Defender seat all day without discomfort.

I have a 2.2 manual single cab 4x4 with huge tray.

Can't say very much wrong about it. The 2.2 , same engine as Defender is surprisingly very grunty....it's very quick in 1st,2nd,3rd gears and never need to take it past 3500rpm even though it will easily rev to 5000.

Fuel economy is only slightly better than the td5 at 10.2lt/100km average over 10,000km.

Smooth gear changes are an art.

The footrest is a pain if any sort of boot is being worn.

The petrol cap is an absolute piece of ****....now modified.

In a couple of days will be fitting egr blank.....needs it more than the td5 did.

It also drives the SA desert tracks with more grace than the D2 did.

D2 overall comfort and driving leave it for dead.

Tell me more about fitting the EGR blank.

From what I've read, the ECU triggers an error unless there is a 10mm hole in the blank, which sort of defeats the purpose of blanking it off.

Are you getting ECU mods to cater for this?

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

I have a 2.2 manual single cab 4x4 with huge tray.

Can't say very much wrong about it. The 2.2 , same engine as Defender is surprisingly very grunty....it's very quick in 1st,2nd,3rd gears and never need to take it past 3500rpm even though it will easily rev to 5000.

Fuel economy is only slightly better than the td5 at 10.2lt/100km average over 10,000km.

Smooth gear changes are an art.

The footrest is a pain if any sort of boot is being worn.

The petrol cap is an absolute piece of ****....now modified.

In a couple of days will be fitting egr blank.....needs it more than the td5 did.

It also drives the SA desert tracks with more grace than the D2 did.

D2 overall comfort and driving leave it for dead.

I have a 2.2 as a work Ute, and their well built but the engine is woefully disappointing. It has loads of grunt, but if you have to pull out in traffic, you put your foot down and count to three before the engine actually revs up and crawls out into the traffic. I'm waiting to get t-boned.

Hopefully the 3.2 is better than this.

If you need a new ute, yes Rangers look like the go at the moment. What I can't get over is the size of them. I drove an Amarok for a while and parking it was a nightmare. So long! And poor visibility. The Ranger is even bigger.

I love the dimensions of a 110. And the slab sided, upright seating position, and vertical glass visibility. Easy to park, can see all corners. It's the slouching seating style of the dual cab Utes that let them down for me too.

Not so long ago, who would have thought that Ford would take the lead! And with Defender engines too! Intriguing.

Originally Posted by spudboy

I didn't really look at an Amarok. Someone here had really bad problems at low KMs with theirs, and Volkswagen seemed of little help. That really put me off. Plus all the other dramas that VW are having with their diesels at the moment, just seemed better to give them a wide berth.

Also the Amarok does not have low range.

Only in the auto, the manual still has low range, I understand the whole give VW a wide berth though and yes, customer service is a problem with some dealers.

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.

Originally Posted by spudboy

Tell me more about fitting the EGR blank.

From what I've read, the ECU triggers an error unless there is a 10mm hole in the blank, which sort of defeats the purpose of blanking it off.

Are you getting ECU mods to cater for this?

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.

Originally Posted by whitakerb

I have a 2.2 as a work Ute, and their well built but the engine is woefully disappointing. It has loads of grunt, but if you have to pull out in traffic, you put your foot down and count to three before the engine actually revs up and crawls out into the traffic. I'm waiting to get t-boned.

Hopefully the 3.2 is better than this.

I dont understand that.

mine responds immediately, no lag , and would absolutely kill the td5 in roll on accelleration.