Brendotec

Update. Popped into Roof Rack City in Adelaide this morning. They did a test fit, got a perfect fit first go. Plenty of clearance for the springs and brakes. Only thing I will do, is remove the 25mm spacers for the trip, so the chains won't rub on the guard when its loaded up. Winner!

Yeah, I took my previous Bogan special ute up there a loong time ago, chains weren't an issue with that one. But seems to be an issue with Falcons, but wasnt sure if that was just the IRS models? Will make a few enquiries.

Hey all, Been a while since I last visited, lide n such.. Anyway, I'm heading to the snow next month and taking the FG. Im wondering how have people gone fitting chains to the utes with factory 19s? May have to remove my spacers but that's not a big deal. Any experience with this would be awesome

If its adjustable, it's something you can play with. Stiffer rear and soft front might make the turn in a bit quicker. That said, the stiffer rear bar on the leaf rear end could cause it to be unstable as well. I would soften the front. If its still crap, go to a stock rear bar.

Thanks F-86. People shooting off and saying something is crap with giving a logical or constructive reason why, really irks me sometimes. Both are great motor cars and we are lucky to be able to own such glorious beasts.

I scored a sports bar and matching tonneau cover for my FG last Thursday, $350. Was on the ute 1 day before it got a hardlid. I emailed EGR and they sent me a .pdf copy of the instructions, 30 mins later! Very clever fit, no cutting or drilling. Just waiting for the crash damage to be repaired before I fit it..

Hey amazing4litre I've owned both FG and VE utes. I found the rear of the VE to be a bit easier, almost boring to handle on the limit, but the FG a bit jittery(live axle rear), so I find it more satisfying when you exit a corner right in the FG. The VE front end(Mac Strut) feeds every bump through the strut towers into the cabin, where as front of the FG(upper and lower wishbones) isolates the bumps a bit better. Almost to the point where I can understand why Expensive Daewoo die hards like to call Falcons 'floaty'. FG transmits more noise from the tray, I don't any honest FG ute driver would dispute this. Also, the VE shares the sedan wheelbase, an FG is longer. That will also effect the response of the steering, as a longer wheel base responds slower.. Similar vehicles, but different ways to work at your senses. I found a decent set of tyres went some way to making the FG feel as nimble as the VE. The average owner and car yards use CRAP tyres. If you end up getting an FG, get an XR6. Turbo or N/A, depends on what your ego can handle. Balance is better than V8, less weight over the front. Hope this help point out some basic differences. Not gonna go into suspension mods as I'm comparing stock for stock. Brendotec

So I ended up getting in contact with Taleb Tyres a few weeks ago for some options, and liked the price of Nitto Invos. Took 2 weeks to get them, because the courier was basically stupid and can't find buildings by numbers... Anyway, got the tyres on last Friday, took it easy the first couple of days. Gave the car a bit of a hills run at 3 am this morning coming home from work. What can I say, the tyres are amazing! Grip and balance are that good, that the ute feels like someone chopped out 4-5 inches out of the wheelbase!

I had Westlake SA07's on my VS Caprice. Quiet and good grip. Available in my size from a guy who restos HK-T-G Expensive Daewoo for $135, but don't know how they would go keeping the rear of a XR6T in check! Talebs don't stock 245/35R19 Kumhos apparently but recommended my current tyres plus Nitto Invo and B'stone RE-11. I reckon I will go with the Kumho, as they are $120 per tyre cheaper landed in Adelaide, than the dozen tyre shops I have enquired at. You'd think I lived in the middle of nowhere by their prices! I run muddies on my 4x4 and had 3 VE utes with RE050A's from factory, so tyre noise is something I quite used to! Will update you all when I get something organised.

Thanks for the replies everyone! So, the ute had scrubbed out Sp Sport Maxx on the front and Achilles 1's on the back when I got it 2 months ago. All were made 2010. Achilles on the back were purple and full of hairline cracks, useless in the wet. Swapped the Dunlops to the back, and they actually have some grip! Seems the Achilles rubber has gone off, Dunlop rubber still ok. I priced up Kumhos, ku19, ku31 and ku39 at 2 Bob Janes, one does the tyres for my workshop, checked my local to see if see if the first lot(my service advisors son) were ripping me! lol Kumho Ku39's were $320(trade) at the place I deal with at work, and all Kumho's were $300 at the one near my place(didn't even ask for trade discount) Also priced up Altenzo Sports Comfort at both, $145 at first place(trade) and $176(retail) at the second Bob Jane. Would rather some Kumhos over the Achilles and Altenzo's, so will check out Taleb tyres for a quote too! Thanks for all your help! Brendotec

Hey all, looking at getting new boots, non directional, for the FG. Tempe tyres are selling 245/35R19 Kumho KU19s on eBay for $179ea plus freight. Has anybody dealt with those guys?? Quality of their stock ok? Any advice appreciated.

Hey tsammons, how are those Rotallas holding up on your 19's?? Thinking of buying a set of them for my FG XR6T ute!

Found a mystery BA key and remote in the key locker at work, so I gave it shot.. Happy days!!

Hey all! Just picked myself up a tidy 2008 FG XR6T Ute last week. It only came with 1 flip key and the dealer came to the party and had a cheap silca key cut as a spare to get into and start the ute. However, the alarm arms/disarms with remote and I found that if I use the spare key unlock the doors the alarm goes off and keeps going even after I start the car. So... I was wondering if I picked up a new BF remote on ebay, will the FG recognise it and function fully? Brendotec