Opinions

[adzski]

Hey everyone.

Well I'm getting sick of driving a 4wd as a daily, only really have it to tow the trailer and my dirtbike/friends bikes for weekend fun.

The thing guzzles like no tomorrow, want something more economical.

I'm considering a ford falcon AU Ute on either dedicated gas or dual fuel.

Only really was looking at spending 5k, anyone got any suggestions for a ute?

[adzski]

currently negotiating for this, but seller takes so long to reply!!!

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/new-gisb ... 1026987320

[rock_it]

I think u will find AU's will guzzle as well..

[Daniel2019]

Pretty much every ute will guzzle fuel unless you get a 4 banger.

[adzski]

yeh but will be on gas, so will be cheaper, could get a nissan navara there 4 cyl.

[silverGPX]

proton jumbuck!

[kiz]

proton jumbuck!

I was thinking the same thing haha

[rock_it]

proton jumbuck!

Then Evo convert it...

[adzski]

proton jumbuck!

Then Evo convert it...

skids!!

[fraz91]

Finally, A topic I can help in!

What kind of 4by have you got? and is it a petrol, diesel or turbo-diesel? The main reason I ask is that most 4by's can be made fairly economical depending on the engine set-up and tune-ability of the motor. Take my triton, it's a 2.5L 4pot T-Diesel that weighs 2 tonne, and will consistently return around 9-10L/100km. The Jeep on the other hand is a 4.0L I6 auto that weighs 1.5 tonne, and I can't get any better than 13.5L/100km (and thats driving it sedately!)

I know there are SC kits from the US for the jeep that help improve the economy, but I'm not prepared to spend $4k getting it set-up just to save 1L/100km.

If you're set on a falcon ute, see if you can get one of the RTV models (AU3-BF) as these have raised factory suspension and, with an auto locker in the back, will go pretty damn far.

edit- if you're also set on a ute, get an extra cab rather than a dual cab. The extra's have enough room in the back that a couple of mates can squeeze in, but also have a larger tray to fit bikes and the like into.

[silverGPX]

Proton Jumbuck!

[rock_it]

Proton Jumbuck!

Then Evo convert it.....

[fraz91]

Proton Jumbuck!

They have got to be the WORST utes on the road.

As soon as you put any weight in the tray, it takes the load off the front wheels and you lose all your steering...

[silverGPX]

Proton Jumbuck!

They have got to be the WORST utes on the road.

As soon as you put any weight in the tray, it takes the load off the front wheels and you lose all your steering...

I doubt it LOL

Maybe like if you filled the tray with concrete blocks, he said motorbikes, you'd fit like two maybe. 300kg. Its quite a suitable alternative. For a light Ute that's good on fuel its gotta be a good choice.

[adzski]

Finally, A topic I can help in!

What kind of 4by have you got? and is it a petrol, diesel or turbo-diesel? The main reason I ask is that most 4by's can be made fairly economical depending on the engine set-up and tune-ability of the motor. Take my triton, it's a 2.5L 4pot T-Diesel that weighs 2 tonne, and will consistently return around 9-10L/100km. The Jeep on the other hand is a 4.0L I6 auto that weighs 1.5 tonne, and I can't get any better than 13.5L/100km (and thats driving it sedately!)

I know there are SC kits from the US for the jeep that help improve the economy, but I'm not prepared to spend $4k getting it set-up just to save 1L/100km.

If you're set on a falcon ute, see if you can get one of the RTV models (AU3-BF) as these have raised factory suspension and, with an auto locker in the back, will go pretty damn far.

edit- if you're also set on a ute, get an extra cab rather than a dual cab. The extra's have enough room in the back that a couple of mates can squeeze in, but also have a larger tray to fit bikes and the like into.

its a holden monterey/jackaroo, perhaps something maybe wrong with it but its pretty sh*t on fuel.
as for the ute, not fused to much on what i end up with, going to have a look at a couple xr6's next week, see if i can find a good one on dual fuel.
i thought about the dual cab or extra cab, would be good if i could get one, ill keep a eye out.

main reason im considering a au is,they seen reliable i guess that's why taxi company's use them, easy to work on and i want to have easy available and cheap parts, the AU's were mass-produced like it was going out of style so seems to be very cheap to maintain.

[adzski]

Proton Jumbuck!

They have got to be the WORST utes on the road.

As soon as you put any weight in the tray, it takes the load off the front wheels and you lose all your steering...

I doubt it LOL

Maybe like if you filled the tray with concrete blocks, he said motorbikes, you'd fit like two maybe. 300kg. Its quite a suitable alternative. For a light Ute that's good on fuel its gotta be a good choice.

had a look at the proton jumbuck, looks nice, but abit out the range i wanted to spend.
also not sure whether they would be a bit hard to get parts for and if the parts would be pricey?

as to the weight of the bikes, wouldnt be any were near 300kg man, bike is usually around 80-90kg well for 2 strokes 4 stroke may tip the scale at 100 but i doubt it.

for 2 bikes id say 180kg max, not much weight to pull for a car, if the passengers are off the larger size the combined weights would be more than the bikes!! hahaha

[fraz91]

If getting one on dual fuel, make sure the LPG has been serviced regularly. Ask for receipts and everything. Also, the port injection lpg systems are more economical than the evap style (single injection in intake pipe).

The jumbucks are good on fuel, but the leaf springs in the rear are designed for comfort, not load. Hence the dramas when they're loaded, even if its just a couple of bikes.

Have a look around for MK tritons and ford couriers, you could probably find a decent dual cab 2wd V6 for around the same price as the AU, and the 6g72 in the MK is extremely reliable. Parts arent hard to find for it either

[adzski]

If getting one on dual fuel, make sure the LPG has been serviced regularly. Ask for receipts and everything. Also, the port injection lpg systems are more economical than the evap style (single injection in intake pipe).

The jumbucks are good on fuel, but the leaf springs in the rear are designed for comfort, not load. Hence the dramas when they're loaded, even if its just a couple of bikes.

Have a look around for MK tritons and ford couriers, you could probably find a decent dual cab 2wd V6 for around the same price as the AU, and the 6g72 in the MK is extremely reliable. Parts arent hard to find for it either

funny you mention those cars fraz, two of our company cars are a triton and a courier.
my father has the triton, and is extremely reliable and spacious, i find it really slow, you find the same thing?

as for the courier, thats a option to, ill see what i can find around

[fraz91]

Which triton is it? The 2.8 non turbo diesel is a slug, as is the 2.4 petrol. But the 2.8 turbo diesel and 3.0 V6 are alright.