Whats the best ute?

[dave_isbald]

Got a dilemma of sorts. I need to buy a ute as I am hiring a trailer more and more often to get 2 bikes to the track and there's been a couple of occassions where I've needed to get the SF worked on. I have no garage to store anything other than my bikes so buying a trailer is a bit pointless.
So I'm binning the car and was going to buy a late 90's early 00's hilux so i still have back seats. I was pulling a dirt bike out of one the other day though and I'm not sure I'd get 2 road bikes side by side in it. Looks like with the back down they'd be OK for length but the distance between the wheel arches looks way small.
I've got an 8ft ramp but also wondering if the fairings will bottom out because of the angle being so steep when you push the bikes on board.

Anybody got one and can give me a point of view? Its a bit tough to take the bikes to the car dealers each time just to check if I can wheel them on.

[latheboy]

XR6 Turbo.... I dont have one but i want one, that would be my pick of the lot

[Rocket]

how about you get a fold up trailer instead.
perfect for occasional use, takes up little space when stored, cheaper than buying a new car.

[Fight_fan]

Or a van... Im lookin at gettin a van sometime soon hey! I rekon it would be MUCHO handy...

[sen]

http://www.kruse.com/news/StarsCarsAubFall05/A-Team.jpg

[Gix11]

If it's anything like my dual cab Hi-Lux 4x4 you'd be lucky to get a tricycle in it let alone two road bikes. If the tray is down I could just fit a MX bike diagonally.

[dave_isbald]

Right - thats excatly what I needed to know. Cheers for that. A-Team van it is then.

[yoda]

Dave, i've got a merc van, fits 2 roadies in no worries.
They're a bit pricey, but well worth it!

[Tony Nitrous]

I have a Mitsu Triton V6 Dual Cab. Had it for 4 years.
Thing is tuff as hell, used and abused daily, does high K's,
Neglected. Very rarely serviced. Very rarely any problems.
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5970/ute25.jpg
Pretty F#ckin' useless for carrying anything though.
Too high, tray is too short and being style-side
makes it worse than tray back.

Im hiring trailers too, dont want one sat around.
(Bikes, Furniture, Dump run's, Work)
but $50 or more a time is a bit of a pisser!

My next vehicle will either be a low single cab
tray back ute or a Van (Vito or Transit size)

[Bear]

Check out the new Hyundai iLoad vans - the couriers that I know are raving about them and they're priced right. They need aftermarket wheels though - the standard rims are bum ugly.

http://www.discountnewcars.com.au/hyundai/iload/default.aspx

[fimpBIKES]

my lowered holden ute is great, two bikes fine up to AFR and back

lowering makes it that much easier to push em into LOL


im a BIIIG van fan too, the old express van i sold to rod with the V6 in it was fucking GREAT! loved it
and im hoping to get my ol' RB30 bedford sorted in october
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v676/fimpbikes/BEDLORD/RB30innerRHS.jpg

cant beat a cool 70's van :D

[JackTar]

XR6 ute converted (or do it yourself) to a flat tray you will easily get two bikes, if you are after extra seating you may even get some older holden/falcon utes with a bench seat but if you are right off getting a trailer then a four door of any kind is useless unless you are going for one of the massive yank tanks.

[Tony Nitrous]

quote:Originally posted by fimpBIKES

im a BIIIG van fan too,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhgvX_-NJVg&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3znfwVG9Cew

[Azrael]

Whats the best ute??

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1246379487.jpg

[JackTar]

These two will hold a couple of bikes.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DODGE-UTE-COUPE-HOTROD_W0QQitemZ140330171554QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_ Cars?hash=item20ac547ca2&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1|66%3A2|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0| 293%3A5|294%3A50

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1935-Dodge-Pickup-dodge-pick-up-black-A-Trayback_W0QQitemZ260367334368QQcmdZViewItemQQptZA U_Cars?hash=item3c9f1a3be0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A1|66%3A2|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0| 293%3A5|294%3A50

[yoda]

Thats the best ute...

[Iceman]

My lowdeo has been a godsend. Set it up as a bike hauler, 2 metre ramp slides between tray and chasis and front wheel rocker permermantly bolted to the tray. No back seats and not really comfy on a long trip due to the non exsistant suspension.
http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1246416104.jpg

[Large]

If you're interested in a van. talk to Ben.

His VW fits The Judge, the zx9 dragbike and Pete's Busa in it

[Booster]

Ford tray ute au and up if you want space, they have more cab room than a holden or many of the jap utes and still a long tray, i can fit my drag bike in at a 68" wheelbase if i let the air out of the slick and put my gearbag behind the seat
fits 2 big bikes no probs ,
Vans are better as you can lockup the bikes and gear and there in a weatherproof home, its just a matter of which is more use to you when not in bike transport mode ???

[StuNVA]

I had a BA XR8 ute with a tray back, only just traded it for $16k (theiving bastards), it could hold two road bikes easy.

Me mate picked up a Merc van ex the Pickles auctions for a song and it's a great bike mover.

[Slain]

im looking at isuzu d max utes now, seem to be the pick of the bunch from what ive seen. but thats on a dual cab 4x4 model.

[Weaselman]

any hilux

[Elapid]

I've got a 96 model 2x4 Hilux. Just done 300,000kms with no dramas exept a fuel pump died on friday in Gympie on my way back home from Canberra and worn out(totally fucked out) swaybar mount rubbers. All fixed now.
Kris.

[JackTar]

If you are home where are my pics kris?

[pappas]

quote:Originally posted by latheboy

XR6 Turbo.... I dont have one but i want one, that would be my pick of the lot


x Infinity!!

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1246577909.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1246523153.jpg

[latheboy]

^^^^^^ and Nizpro do a 1000hp kit for them:D[:p]

[pappas]

There are a few xr6T's running 9's and are daily drivers!

[dave_isbald]

Cheers guys - looks like an XR6 and fuck the back seats. Something else to take to the track by the looks too

[JackTar]

Well make sure you get some tie down points put in it because I have one and the stock points are about as handy as a pocket on a singlet.

[Booster]

Easy fix,
Iceman put me onto these little beautys, there is no pic but if you saw Clints ute at Casino you will know what they look like

http://www.radum.com.au/shopping/product_info.php?cPath=38_227&products_id=1733

[JackTar]

I did see his ute but don't know what you are talking about Greg what are they?

[latheboy]

The AU is a good option on the XR6 and cheaper,
I can see some "eyebolts" on the sides but thats all (Icemans ute) i think Greg is talking about these or something same same but different.

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1246659980.jpg


http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1246655566.jpg

[Fish]

Here ya go mate, stick a few bikes in the back AND keep the back seats. :D

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1246665262.jpg

[Booster]

I can't find a pic on the web but Ivan is just about right with the first pic but add a front cross bar nearly 1m wide with 2 tie points .

[gibbo]

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1246712974.jpg

Here's one in action, I know the crowd that sell the fold up trailers in Bayswater sell them for $140, if you want I can get the details tomorrow. Pinched the pic from Damo's thread.

[Booster]

The Radum ones are $80, cheaper to buy than you could make..,

[Iceman]

I'll take a pic later if I remember

[JackTar]

quote:Originally posted by Booster

The Radum ones are $80, cheaper to buy than you could make..,


Where do you get them from then Greg?

[Booster]

The above link
http://www.radum.com.au/shopping/product_info.php?cPath=38_227&products_id=1733

[scotty]

Did u find a ute dave? I was offered a 75 or 78 series tojo td for 6k, good buy

[dave_isbald]

Hey Scotty - had a result actually. Now I can afford to get a better one cause the budgets gone up. Plus the back seats really just for the dog who's too old and fucked to sit in a tray. So found a Hilux Xtra cab which fits both bikes but also an XR6 so off to take them both for a drive. I'll let you know

[Iceman]

http://www.asfphotos.com/upload/1247628613.jpg

[chancer]

I've got a Maloo.

Holden were real thoughtful, see a bike won't fit in the back without the tailgate down, so they made this special feature where you can pull the number plate down on a 90 degree angle so its still legal.

It's got a gas strut and everything! (The Number Plate.)

Sure, the bikes may not actually FIT properly but who cares.

[Tony Nitrous]

quote:Originally posted by chancer

Holden were real thoughtful, see a bike won't fit in the back without the tailgate down, so they made this special feature where you can pull the number plate down on a 90 degree angle so its still legal.

So they copied a 40 year old Morris ?

[juganaught]

Get a VR or VS V8 ute preferably a manual great ute i owned a 94vr for 7 years great ute could fit a crosser in diagonally with the tailgate up or two straight with the tailgate down,but when i got the malloo sailplane had to take the front mud guard off.pretty good power not bad on gas compared to the aussie V8 grunt.the vs ss ute will be a bit of a collectors item down the track.mine had a lumpy cam and the heads were port matched,manual and diff gears,it was alot of fun!!

[gumby190]

Hilux Xtra Cab 2wd.
I had one a while back as a work ute, I got it with 240k on it.
Real slut of a thing, was the company trog. Not a straight panel on it. It got rallied on the weekends regularly by a couple of guys before I got it.

It stunk like a wet dog mixed with an ashtray, I loved it.
Mechanically I couldn't fault it, abused but drove smooth, it was comfy & happily cruised up to Qld & back a fair few times.

I moved company & they sold it with 300k on it to a mechanic I know, at the moment it has 330k on it, original motor & a newish diff[:I]
When I need a ute where I work now I hire it of it's new owner, still hasn't let me down & I have had it on hire for nearly 4mths now.......

[el sammo]

HILUX UTE!! my mates dual cab fitted two roadies in the back no worries, they were stunters though so it didnt mater if they rubbed a bit haha

my single cab 89 hilux had well over 400,000km when i sold it and was still goin strong as ever

[luke4130]

All comes down to what you need it for? If its work hack then the Toyota work mate is about as cheap as you'll get, bloody economical and take heaps of abuse. I've heard that the ford ranger is great if you want to go turbo diesel and for not much more have all the features standard. Power wise go for a SSv Holden ute without a doubt. They sound shit loads better than the ford and with the flared guards they have the stance aswell (I'll support Ford again when they pick up their game). I think that the reason that the fords sound so shit is because of the quad cam so the engine tends to run to smooth to have that good lumpy note (the engine is fuggin huge tho. Also in regards to The turbo six ute... Yea sure, they go like a shower of shit but they also sound like it to and for the trade off i hardly think its worth it.

[JackTar]

quote:Originally posted by luke4130

Power wise go for a SSv Holden ute without a doubt. They sound shit loads better than the ford and with the flared guards they have the stance aswell (I'll support Ford again when they pick up their game). I think that the reason that the fords sound so shit is because of the quad cam so the engine tends to run to smooth to have that good lumpy note (the engine is fuggin huge tho. Also in regards to The turbo six ute... Yea sure, they go like a shower of shit but they also sound like it to and for the trade off i hardly think its worth it.


Well if it is louder then it must be better eh? Who wants an engine that runs smooth? I am no expert and I may be biased because I have a ford but I am pretty sure technology wise ford is about a decade in front of holden. If there are any ford and holden mechanics that want to tell me I am wrong I am easily swayed however this is my understanding and what I have heard from other mechanics in the past both recent and not so recent.

[gumby190]

quote:Originally posted by luke4130

All comes down to what you need it for? If its work hack then the Toyota work mate is about as cheap as you'll get, bloody economical and take heaps of abuse.

They will take abuse & hold their value better than any other ute out there.
I drive a Holden Rodeo RA now, nice comfy ute, thirsty as hell & a bit heavy on the oil but at about 180k now so I should get another 30 - 50k out of it before it dies.
Had a Holden VZ ute before that, didn't like it, unreliable, Holden didn't seem to care when they put them together. The 2 others we have in the company have had their diffs replaced.
Had a Crewman before that, what an awkward, underpowered, uncomfortable piece of shit that was.
Ford Courier Turbo Diesel, 145k complete engine rebuild & new turbo, one day while cruising along at 80km/hr engine made a noise like someone had dropped a handful of bearings in the motor, white smoke. RIP.

At work I also have a Triton - POS, Rodeo single cab - Uncomfy Slug.

Of all the utes I have driven the Hilux would have to be the best.

Hilux wins hands down. If you want proof have a look at what the top gear boys did to one then try that with pretty well anything else

[Shadowzone]

My 82 WB ute does me just fine. I almost necked myself for lowering myself to a Holden, but with time and therapy I'm now over that dilemma.

Otherwise get a landcruiser trayback mate...

[Ed74mnd]

Rodeo single cab works well.

Cheap and reliable.

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v5207/236/16/692052431/n692052431_1990550_5546921.jpg

[luke4130]

quote: quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by luke4130

Power wise go for a SSv Holden ute without a doubt. They sound shit loads better than the ford and with the flared guards they have the stance aswell (I'll support Ford again when they pick up their game). I think that the reason that the fords sound so shit is because of the quad cam so the engine tends to run to smooth to have that good lumpy note (the engine is fuggin huge tho. Also in regards to The turbo six ute... Yea sure, they go like a shower of shit but they also sound like it to and for the trade off i hardly think its worth it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Well if it is louder then it must be better eh? Who wants an engine that runs smooth? I am no expert and I may be biased because I have a ford but I am pretty sure technology wise ford is about a decade in front of holden. If there are any ford and holden mechanics that want to tell me I am wrong I am easily swayed however this is my understanding and what I have heard from other mechanics in the past both recent and not so recent.

No doubt Jacktar. I completely agree with. Ford engine technology is miles ahead with holdens. However if you ask a lot of hot rodders or drag enthusists you'll find that they say "If you want to rev it chev it" and I don't know why but it seems to be a true statement whether or not your a ford or holdem fan. It does seem that ford has nicked a the engine from mopar tho.. Also I wasn'te talking about technology of the v8's but more the sound. You've got to agree that a lumpy 8 sounds a lot better that a the wet fart that Ford puts out. My father has owned both the BA xr8 ute and the new Holden 8 both with aftermarket exhausts from the same manufacturer and the holden sounds tons better right thru the rev range. The Ford has a constant droan until untill you floor it, then it sounds like a v8 but not quite the same. If you want a real nice v8 sound you've really got to appreciate the Ford flat heads or the "boat anchor" y block. I'm Ford fan but i prefer Holdens new range and mechanically neither car seems better as it seems both companies have a lot of problems with fuck ups from under trained mechaninics (i don't mean to generalise but i have heard of some pretty average services where the car has come out worse than when it came in). Fuel lines crossed, faulty gearboxes dodged up to get through warranty, fuel line not connected again properly and leaking heavily near the exhaust.. Ford has a great engine and the everyone uses their diffs and gearboxes at the strip but the current Holden line looks a lot better and sounds better also. If i wanted it to go quick and wasn't worried about the sound I'd go the turbo six any day but sometimes its not about that. I didn't say LOUDER is better but more so the SOUND. The BA was a much better car when it first came out but Ford should have brought out the flaired guards first while they were already ahead of the eight ball. To bad. rant over[:o)]