Just got given an AUII XL Falcon Ute - Need Help

[alstar5]

Hi Everyone

It's been a while since I've been on Ford Forums as I've sold my BA Falcon a few years ago to replace with a Honda Accord.

I have just been given an AU Series II XL Ute and have again fallen in love with the power of the I6 engine.

I have a few questions that I'm sure have been answered before, but I'll ask them anyway (I hope you don't mind).

Issue One
Firstly the CD Player doesn't work and after resetting the battery the radio needs a code to work (which I don't have). Considering it's way out of warranty would it be worth buying a genuine second hand AU Head Unit and having it installed or do you think it'd be cheaper to get the current one fixed. The other option is buying an aftermarket CD player (which I could also then use my ipod in through an auxiliary cord). Are aftermarket radios easy to install into AU falcons? This was damn near impossible with the BA.

Issue Two
I believe the AU Series II came standard with central locking and keyless entry however the remote did not come with the vehicle. Is the solution as simple as buying an AUII Ute remote off ebay and programming it myself or does it need to be taken to a ford dealer?

Issue Three
The light control switch (for the headlights and interior light) has snapped off and needs replacing. Again is this as simple as buying a part off ebay getting my mechanic to replace it? Is there a difference between the switches between different variants of the AU ute?

Issue Four
The idiot who had the car before me had put custom rims on it and then proceeded to blow a tire doing a burnout and completely ruining one of the rims. All I want is a set of four standard wheels for the ute, could you please tell me what size and type of wheel and tyre is needed for the Series II.

Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate it.

Alex

[JC]

1. Replace CD with aftermarket unit, and get the Aerpro wiring harness and pocket setup. Makes fitting a snap.

Facia/pocket setup:
Black FP9140 and grey FP9141


Check it out Here

Harness:
AP1053


http://www.aerpro.com.au/list.php?pc...ss&cat_sno=158

2. Remotes - yes instructions are in the owners manual, but also on this site (do a search for training remotes).

3. Yes - get a Forte/futura/XR headlight switch (don't get the one with the delay function, it will not work on a low series car)

4. Steelies or alloys? Stock rim for series 2 was a 16" - probably 7" in allot, and 6.5" in steel. The tyre size should be on the tyres currently fitted to the car.

[robbyj]

Issue 1.
Agree with JC, aftermarket headunit, AU wiring harness and pocket.

Issue 3.
Just replace the switch

Issue 4.
Considering you want a set of 4, the tyre needed will depend on the rim not the car.
You could get any alloys from the AU series to go on. Ebay often have some cheap AU stock alloys. Or you could grab a set of steelies to fit.

[alstar5]

Hi Guys

I just called Ford Customer Care and quoted the VIN number. The ute was built in November 13th 2001 and is a Series II Styleside. Non-Slip Diff, Drivers Airbag, 4 Wheel ABS (which are all I'm guessing pretty much standard). Had a tow pack installed at factory.

Big question that has been puzzling me all day is the wheel size. I have called a few dealers who swear it was 16 X 6.5 (being a series II) however when I quoted the VIN number they were in fact 15" steel rims at factory. As I think I've mentioned the idiot before me had 17's before blowing a tyre doing a burnout and therefore the car has been running on 3 x 17's and 1 x 16".

I'm going to buy the cheapest set of 15" steelies I can find and try to get the poor thing back to stock. In case you haven't noticed I like nice clean sleeper cars - I'm not a boy-racer.

I do though love my music and can't wait until I can save enough to put in a decent sound system. My mate recommended a double auxiliary output head unit with an AUX input. A 600 watt amp with a 12" subwoofer. I'm sure this will do me fine considering I'm not into heavy metal / rap music.

Give me your thoughts.

Thanks,

Alstar

[The Monty]

If its a S2 wouldnt it have the bigger calipers and thicker discs, meaning that you wont fit 15's on it? Or is that irrelevant with the utes?

[alstar5]

I thought the same thing but the Ford customer service lady assured me that the information she had obtained was direct from the factory where the vehicle was made. Could it make sense that load bearing vehicles (utilities) had smaller wheels than the S2 sedans?

I just called a few tyre places and they all reckon that I'm much better off with 16's as the brake callipers have the potential to rub against the tyre.

Question 100:

If the ute was indeed designed to have 15s fitted to it - is there any chance of causing any damage by putting 16 X 6.5 steelies and tyres on it? If the answers no I'm just going to go with the 16's. It seems like nobody has any idea.

[robbyj]

Originally Posted by The Monty

If its a S2 wouldnt it have the bigger calipers and thicker discs, meaning that you wont fit 15's on it? Or is that irrelevant with the utes?

They would still manage to fit 15's youd think.
If your gunna get some steelies, does it really matter if they are 15" or 16"

Are you gunna replace the factory speakers?? IMO, having an amped sub with factory speakers running off the headunit will be crap. You will have to turn the sub down so much there will be no point having it.

I have a big sound system, and just run the factory door speakers off the headunit, you dont even know they are there.

Your better off buying some 6x9 (rear) and 5x7 (front) speakers and getting a 4channel amp. (or what i did, some good 6x9s and a 2 channel amp, forget the fronts, i like the sound coming from the back, that's just me tho)
And if you still want the sub, a 12" with a mono block amp.
Remember, for every amp you have, you'll need the same number of RCA outputs on the head unit.

[robbyj]

Question 100:

If the ute was indeed designed to have 15s fitted to it - is there any chance of causing any damage by putting 16 X 6.5 steelies and tyres on it? If the answers no I'm just going to go with the 16's. It seems like nobody has any idea.[/QUOTE]

No.

[The Monty]

Originally Posted by bobuleh

They would still manage to fit 15's youd think.

Deffinately not, trust me, Ive tried.

[robbyj]

Originally Posted by The Monty

Deffinately not, trust me, Ive tried.

Fair enough.

Better off going the 16's then mate, to be on the safe side,
and if the car came factory with 15's, putting 16's on wont damage it at all.

[alstar5]

God what a day! To be honest I'm in hospital at the moment and therefore I've had the whole day to ring around and finally held up the white flag at 5.00pm. I feel like I've spoken to 10x Wreckers, 5x Ford Dealership Service Consultants, 5x Ford Dealership Parts Consultants, 2x calls to the Department of Transport (to get my VIN number), 2x calls to Ford Customer Care and 100x female receptionists.

The final conclusion for today:
I've bought 4 x Silver Steelies with 24 nuts. 16" 6.5. Delivered to the hospital on Monday morning for $160.00 cash on delivery. I'm not sure if I paid too much but considering I don't have my ute with me and no licence (pending a medical certificate next week) and that 9 out of the 10 wreckers were out of stock I'm reasonably happy. I've also got a matching one which I can throw in the back as a spare.

I was assured over the phone the steelies are in good condition (I'll believe it when I see it and hand over the cash). Otherwise I can always put on a nice set of hub-caps.

Also regarding the broken light switch on the dash - I found a nice black one in perfect condition on ebay for $25.00 including delivery. My mechanic said he'd fit it for free.

Thanks for your help guys. Like I said I've got a stack more to do on this ute (thought I'm beginning to love it more each day) so I'm sure I'll have more questions to come and would appreciate your help.

Alstar

[Day-mow]

5x7s for the win

[Day-mow]

5x7s for the win

[Barryxr6turbo]

Just FYI the AU2 XL got 15 inch rims. I had them on mine.

The XLS got the fancy 16's.

[Mechan1k]

^^^^^^^^^^^
As above ... and from memory the spare on my AUII XLS as a 15" steelie... but i had the factory 16" alloys ... and then when the 17" XR wheels

Easier to find the 16" steelies as the B-series utes all had them and they were a dime a dozen really. I have a spare set in the garage as well.

[au adam]

Originally Posted by Barryxr6turbo

Just FYI the AU2 XL got 15 inch rims. I had them on mine.

The XLS got the fancy 16's.

Correct,i have 2 AU2 utes and they both have/had 15in wheels.No rubbing no clearance with calipers(Twin piston).

[alstar5]

Ok guys, now I'm really confused. As I said previously I don't know a **** about cars and I'm actually regretting buying what I've bought (unless it fits). I managed to get 4 x 16" 6.50 steel rims. Some are scratched around the edges, they have **** all under the bottom of them from where they've been stored and didn't come with any rubber. I also got 24 x wheel nuts that are covered in crap as well. The guy at the wreckers said they would take 215/60 R16's but the delivery driver said I needed 215/65 R16's. I paid $160.00 including the nuts and delivery.

As I said earlier, I have a Series II AU 2001 XL StyleSide ute.

I called Bob Jane as they said they had a special on ZetumHP 215/60 R16 for $105.00. When I mentioned it was a ute they said it's illegal for them to put this tyre on as they are not light commercial tyres. Does an AUII StyleSide really need L/C tyres? I rarely use it with anything in the back anyway but if it's illegal or will invalidate my insurance I may as well pay the extra.

Your help with this would really be appreciated. Thanks.

[NC1183]

I have a set of 4 AUII XL SE 1tonne alloy's if your interested. they are 15", will get a pic tomorrow, or could try my AU Build Thread, i think i have a photo of them in there.

[au adam]

Originally Posted by alstar5

Ok guys, now I'm really confused. As I said previously I don't know a **** about cars and I'm actually regretting buying what I've bought (unless it fits). I managed to get 4 x 16" 6.50 steel rims. Some are scratched around the edges, they have **** all under the bottom of them from where they've been stored and didn't come with any rubber. I also got 24 x wheel nuts that are covered in crap as well. The guy at the wreckers said they would take 215/60 R16's but the delivery driver said I needed 215/65 R16's. I paid $160.00 including the nuts and delivery.

As I said earlier, I have a Series II AU 2001 XL StyleSide ute.

I called Bob Jane as they said they had a special on ZetumHP 215/60 R16 for $105.00. When I mentioned it was a ute they said it's illegal for them to put this tyre on as they are not light commercial tyres. Does an AUII StyleSide really need L/C tyres? I rarely use it with anything in the back anyway but if it's illegal or will invalidate my insurance I may as well pay the extra.

Your help with this would really be appreciated. Thanks.

Open up your drivers door and have a look at the tyre placard,it will say the correct load rating you need to have.
If a rim will fit a 215/65/16 it will also fit a 215/60/16.

[NC1183]

Here's a link to my build thread, the rims are the second pic down. They aren't scratched as far as i remember. Will need new tyres as the one's on them are more then 5 years old. I'm pretty sure i still have the wheel nuts for them as well.


NC1183's AU2 XL SE

[alstar5]

Hi Nick

Thanks for your offer. By next week I should have a definite answer as far as my wheels / tyres go. I may need to take you up on your offer.

Alex.