Thread: New Ute Dilemma

All the new utes need under body protection and better tyres for more serious off road use. Maybe then a lift then. I kept my old modified 1HD Prado for the bash and scratch jobs. its lifted, hd sprung, 180 l tank, bars and winch...Rides rough unloaded though.

On the new Ford, the ride and handling with light to reasonable loads (like hunting and fishing camps) is good. It maybe different with canopies and heavy tool boxes. I use my head for a living not my hands so thats for others to work out. For trade use you buy a poverty pack and turn it into a work truck which then is not ideal for civi use. Horses for courses...

The v6 180 KW, 600 NM motor and 10 speed box is smoother than a 4/5 cyclinder and quiet, no diesel rattle like in my old Toyota. All round disc brakes are great, should be mandatory on all new utes now.

They are big. The bonnet is a bit harder to see over. Makes the Prado feel like a jeep. Longer wheel base, turning circle is larger but probably similiar to the Lux. However you've got cameras over every wheel and front and back that can help with gutters, holes, rocks, slow 4wd crawling and a camera showing you where your wheels will track when in 4wd at low speeds. In fact the tech is a bit of a mind mess. Electric brake package std etc.

I work in agriculture and you are seeing plenty of them in the bush now, with growers and rural reps, Wrightson types etc.

Would i buy a new ute and smash it up the Rakia R. etc...probably not but for Thar's use, hunting, pulling the trailer like its not there, doing the longer miles, not pulling up sore on arrival, heated seats when sneaking home to town early morning are all pretty nice..