XG to XH and then AU

Francis · 20-02-2012, 11:45 PM

G'day all.

Just wanted to get some info from those that have perhaps had each model or know a fair bit about the XG, XH and then AU, BA V8 Utes.

Ultimately Id like a 2006 + BF XR8 6 speed manual or a 250 Pursuit with a nice canopy but I don’t want to spend over $15,000. SO if I have to go backwards then I thought Id consider the old school XG and XH V8 Ute’s even though it seems no one makes a nice stylish canopy for those.

First question is how different is the XG to XH in ride / drive quality? I know the XG has the older style XF front end and steering box while the XH has the newer style front end. Does the XH front end running gear make a big difference?

Second to that, my impression is that the AU was a quantum leap forward from the XH in performance, ride and handling. IS this true? Ive heard the leaf spring set up was so much better handling in the AU’s and BA’s compared to the older XH models.

Third, with the AU utes, is there much difference from Series 2 to 3? There seems to be a lot a S2’s around at fair prices but what am I missing out on.

Forth, was it 2005 + that the timing chain tensioners were sorted out on the BA’s and
they went to the 6 speeds?

With regards to fuel usages, where the XH’s much worse than the AU 5L V8s?

Thanks guys.

raised by monkeys · 20-02-2012, 11:59 PM

For the $$ you want to spend i could definitely recommend an AU xr8 ute - i could be biased though. I dont think there is too much difference between the s2 and s3, from what i understand it was changes in the cosmetics of the tickford models.
Petrol consumption of the AU is quite good. From what i understand, a few good simple mods will waken up the 5lt. What i see as a huge PRO is the AU is the last of the windsors and many problems have been ironed out. An experienced AU 5lt owner can help you more here though. I can be sure though that i am very happy with the handling of my AU xr8 ute.
I do believe that it was early-mid 05 the tensioners of the BA's were upgraded. I have been told that some 5speed xr8's sport the new tensioners.

Road_Warrior · 21-02-2012, 12:02 AM

I have an XG and the turning circle on it is like the USS Enterprise, it's shocking. That alone is worth going for an XH with the E-series steering and suspension setup, one u-turn becomes a major diplomatic incident in the XG and if it's your daily, these sorts of things can be a pain.

Francis · 21-02-2012, 12:12 AM

I didn't even think of the Turing circle! That's a good point!

I've been thinking about a XG Panelvan that has a 351 on gas but your right if I'm using it for work that could be a big problem.

tranquilized · 21-02-2012, 01:11 AM

I had an XF panel van and now I have an XH - they really are worlds apart, and theres very little difference between XF and XG apart from the motor. And yes, the turning circle in an XH is really good. An XH is much lighter than an AU ute - AU utes are heavier than AU sedans.

But other than that, if you can afford an AU forget about the XH. Like you said, there are no good looking canopys for XH utes, and the vans didn't come with V8's, and they're noisey and rattle... a lot.

smoo · 21-02-2012, 06:57 AM

If you are going to spend a bit of time in them ditch the XH and go for AU/BA. The interiors are literally decades apart. Base model XH utes have a better ride quality than AU XRs and as for handling IMO who cares they are leaf sprung utes lol. They do ride better with a couple hundred kilos over the rear axle. My only real complaint of the AU/BA is the factory tie down points are a useful as tits on a bull.

4.0i OHC · 21-02-2012, 06:10 PM

The XH is light years ahead of the XG. This quantum leap can be attributed to the EF/EL front end (inclusive of rack and pinion steering), which puts ANY Commodore front end to shame.

That said, despite the awesome retro interior/exterior styling of the XH, I would go for the AU. AUs are simply screwed together so well, and are safer than most utes on the market these days (even though, reportedly, the XD body shell is equivalent in safety to the last generation of Mitsubishi Magnas, and the ute body shell is safer than the VR/VS Commodore utes, not to mention the reportedly shocking WB).

Mr Hardware · 21-02-2012, 06:17 PM

You say you are after V8 utes
You can't get a V8 XG

Francis · 21-02-2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

You say you are after V8 utes
You can't get a V8 XG

I came across an XG Panelvan with a 351 Cleo on Gas.

Francis · 21-02-2012, 06:30 PM

Thanks so much for all the great info so far.

I will stay clear of the XG. The XH look great lowered with a flat lid but they are hard to come by and all getting over the 200,000 kms mark now.

I had the chance to buy a 250 Pursuit from a dealer on the sunshine coast. Ex cond 80,000kms for $17,000. So I missed out on that one.

I'd be happy to go back to a BA but only if it's a mk2 with the 6 speed man or auto as the fuel consumption was shocking and those rattely tensioners really bug me. Anything ticking those boxes is hovering around $20,000 and this whole excersise is to reduce my debt.

Looks like the best medium is an AU at this stage. Just a shame the utes are less kw than the sedans.

4.0i OHC · 21-02-2012, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francis

Looks like the best medium is an AU at this stage. Just a shame the utes are less kw than the sedans.

I don't believe so. Maybe you are thinking of the XH 6 cylinders?

The XG panel van had an aftermarket 351 put in. No panel van since XE has had a factory V8.

smoo · 21-02-2012, 07:36 PM

AU3 XR8 sedans got 220kw while the utes stayed with 200kw. Not a major they will light up the rears regardless, torque figures is where its at with these things anyway

falconnut · 21-02-2012, 07:47 PM

AU2/3 all the way.

lamborghinifan · 21-02-2012, 08:16 PM

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...spx?R=12020460

This one's a good one, no rattles, cheap to run, tidy and cheap :-)

b2tf · 21-02-2012, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamborghinifan

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/...spx?R=12020460

This one's a good one, no rattles, cheap to run, tidy and cheap :-)

Haha biased much?

phillyc · 21-02-2012, 09:02 PM

Go the AU or later Ute. AU2/3 have the newer front suspension / brakes which is a better setup.

I've had an AU1 XR6 VCT before and it was great. Loved that car. I really like my AU2 Ute too. But it is the base model albeit limited edition. The VCT was top of the range sports. Fully kitted out.

lamborghinifan · 21-02-2012, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

Haha biased much?

not in the slightest

Francis · 21-02-2012, 10:31 PM

I didn't know the AU2 had different suspension. I knew the brakes got upgraded. I had an AU1 XR6 and when I got my BA XR8 I rember how much better it handled and braked even with the extra weight from the Boss engine.

falconnut · 21-02-2012, 11:09 PM

AU2/3 and does have different suspention to the AU 1/1.5

blownv8au · 21-02-2012, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by falconnut

AU2/3 and does have different suspention to the AU 1/1.5

Only the sway bar. shocks and springs may have been different spec but are the same setup and would or should have been changed out by now.

leonbray · 21-02-2012, 11:32 PM

I have a tricked up XG (for 8 years) and just upgraded to an AU III XLS with a bunch of Tickford options.

While I still like driving the XG, the extra cabin space, cruise control and lower noise levels (less noise around the mirrors) make the AU III a far better buy.

The AU is more claustrophobic with the large pillars and doesn't have the visibility of the XG. The AU will also have collapsed seat foam that you will need to replace

The XG was also on gas, but at current prices 18-20l / 100km on gas is about the same as 12l/100km on unleaded

Go for an AU III XLS if you can afford it

Road_Warrior · 22-02-2012, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leonbray

While I still like driving the XG, the extra cabin space, cruise control and lower noise levels (less noise around the mirrors) make the AU III a far better buy.

That was something else I forgot with the XG. There's not a lot of cabin space for odds and ends - for some reason Ford put a fibre/carpeted panel in behind the seats and the tray bulkhead that never used to be there with the XF. That and if you're tall, your head may brush the hoodlining from time to time.

Francis · 22-02-2012, 01:41 PM

Does anyone know what years the BA XR8 utes came in the metallic burnt orange?

Francis · 11-03-2012, 02:56 PM

Hi all, still looking for an XR8 ute.

Jut wondering if anyone knows if the XH or AU/BA ute has a baby seat tied own point. My VE SS does and it would be handy to know that if I needed to its easy to fit a baby seat in.

Cúl-Báire · 11-03-2012, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francis

Hi all, still looking for an XR8 ute.

Jut wondering if anyone knows if the XH or AU/BA ute has a baby seat tied own point. My VE SS does and it would be handy to know that if I needed to its easy to fit a baby seat in.

The AU most certainly has an anchor point for a child seat, infact the baby seat is an almost perminant feature of my AUII XR8 ute. I imagine the BA would also.

Francis · 11-03-2012, 03:45 PM

Another quick question.

It seems a pretty widely accepted that the BA Boss is alot thirster on fuel than the AU Windsor. Was there much gained in real world fuel use from
XH to AU?

Nikked · 11-03-2012, 04:36 PM

Xh XR8 ute!

Francis · 11-03-2012, 10:12 PM

Thats good to know. I'm leaning toward an AU but there is something pretty cool about the XH XR8 shape and you don't see many. I'd be surprised if they had a baby seat ancor point.

raised by monkeys · 11-03-2012, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francis

Thats good to know. I'm leaning toward an AU but there is something pretty cool about the XH XR8 shape and you don't see many. I'd be surprised if they had a baby seat ancor point.

theres always the option of dropping a 5lt in a manual xh and put an xr front on it.

Francis · 11-03-2012, 10:27 PM

That if done right would be great. I'd love to get a Panelvan and do that to it. But it's a big job to do it right and big expense.

There is one on eBay. I would of loved to of seen it but he wasn't letting anyone view before buying it and it was un reg and never got an answer re compliance plate approved.