Thread: BA Ford V8 ute... thoughts

Originally Posted by trobbo

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!

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

Originally Posted by 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!).

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.

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.

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.