need work ute, what to get? cant work it out

wife said i need a ute, she is probably right.
want a new one not old second hand one, want something with some power and something that looks decent that i dont look a pussy driving in.
need to be dual cab
need to be able to put one of them gullwing tool boxes in the back to put my tools. need enough room on the back to pick stuff up like appliances, furniture etc..
cant work out what to get, im not a fan of diesels is the thing but do i have a choice?
dont like the mazda or nissan models

will be carrying sheets of stuff at times 2400x1200 and lengths of pipe etc..

would a tray back be best or a body back work? im looking at the accessibility on it for tool box etc..

i have looked at the RAM, decent power, can put a tray back on it rather than body back, but fricken huge, maybe too big?
also looked at the toyota hilux, the thing that turns me off the hilux is the engine, lacks power, diesel. would need to be worked.

any recommendations here??

One thing if you want power make your decision sooner rather than later due to the new emissions standards on the way and the associated tax hikes.

In 2017 we avoided the dual cab and went with the Mazda (Fraud) BT50 3.2l 5 cyl diesel single cab & premium tray that is 2600 mm long.

Got a locally made 1800 mm (dual cab) jack-off canopy by Trufit Sheetmetal (excellent to deal with btw) with roof rack that can take 1220 wide sheets. That gives just shy of 800mm long rear tray area that can accommodate stuff you don't want in the canopy like fuel, firewood or wheelie bins, appliances etc. The canopy gives us better options and can be transferred to a dual cab in the future if we ever go that way. The rear tray area makes pick up of appliances from loading docks a simple hassle free task.

BIL has just taken delivery of a new Ford Ranger - it has some strange quirks!

Ford Ranger ?
my son just bought one, I have driven it a few times and it’s fairly impressive. Diesel though.but doesn’t seem lacking in power.

Was about to suggest you look at the VW Amarok but Dr Google says they are no longer made in Germany, but are badge engineered Rangers sourced from Ford, South Africa.

I've had 2 Dmax's, the current one is 2015 and going strong

both of them were/are very economical and perform reasonably for a deisel

If I ever upgrade, it will likely be another Isuzu

If I was in the market for something similar, I'd be looking at Ford Ranger or VW Amarok. As already stated above, they're basically the same car, but see which one you like and which offers the better deal. Living in Cairns, I'd also be looking at which dealerships you have in town & which choice of vehicle is likely to have the best back-up service etc. If you're anything like here in Kalgoorlie, we are pretty limited in what is sold / serviced locally - otherwise it's a 1,200km round trip to any of the dealerships down in Perth.

I agree with your comments on the HiLux. I've had one as a work vehicle and would never buy one myself. Same applies to the Nissan - neither brand is competitive these days with even some Chinese utes a better buy.

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Originally Posted by BMKal

Living in Cairns, I'd also be looking at which dealerships you have in town & which choice of vehicle is likely to have the best back-up service etc. If you're anything like here in Kalgoorlie, we are pretty limited in what is sold / serviced locally - otherwise it's a 1,200km round trip to any of the dealerships down in Perth.

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Cairns has all dealerships, but like here in TSVL, depends more on what ones you trust - if any. Another mate on here has been through the wringers trying to purchase a ute thru COVID and all the PC chip shortages etc. Will leave it to him to chime in.

We have had a brilliant run with our 2017 Mazda BT50 but there have been numerous issues for earlier models with the EGR / Turbo hoses. A really good mate didn't even get from the dealership in Cairns to his home at near Whiterock when his went on its maiden drive. Dealership's attitude was "we'll get to it" but as a very senior Emergency Services manager they sort of hopped to it when he said "well we'll see about that". Fixed that afternoon! Many seem to think they are doing you a favour in allowing you to purchase from them. :((

BIL is keen on the Toyota Tundra which will probably make landfall next year. I went looking for the spec on it and found this link with some interesting upcoming offerings. The electric ones interest me, but it's all academic, my 98 Hilux will likely outlive me so I'm not looking (we are growing decrepit together)

New utes coming to Australia by 2025 - carsales.com.au

First thing to work out is it more of a work vehicle or a “show pony”Ute?

Regardless of what brand you prefer a tray back is leaps and bounds better than a ute back to work out of, with a dual cab you get 1m2 more storage footprint over a ute back plus you don’t have wheel wells in the road, you can also access your gear easily from all three sides.
The F trucks, Tundras etc are all nice vehicles but not good to work out of, you can’t reach anything without hopping up into the tray and the loading racks are out of easy reach to load and unload off.

Brand wise, everyone has an opinion as to what they prefer but the function is essentially the same with all the mid duty utes. Personally I drive a Landcruiser 79 series but they are not for everyone

For overall practicality isn't a van a much better option than a ute? I just don't get the current obsession with twin cab utes as the best vehicle for any occasion.

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Originally Posted by aldav

For overall practicality isn't a van a much better option than a ute? I just don't get the current obsession with twin cab utes as the best vehicle for any occasion.

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yes true for many things, but for me i need a 4 seater as i have to cart around 2 kids regularly. as soon as the kids are outta the house, single cab no issues at all.
you are all opening my eyes at different options i havent explored, keep them coming. the RAM is continually attracting my attention just cant get over the no tray option from factory part, thats whats holding me back making me look at other options

How often do you really need to carry 8 x 4 sheetgoods? If it’s less than once a week or so how about adding an 8 x 5 trailer; then you can get a trayback dual cab that actually has some proper legroom in the back.

I went back to a Isuzu Dmax tray back after trying a sort of Van , a Toyota troopy. Before that I had a tray truck and before that a bodied ute back . The tray is best for working from with timber and furniture 100% And I like not having to worry about keeping panels clean and straight.
Wife and I both had Toyota's for 10 years, Troopy and 100 series. I got sick of the 100K timing belt replacements that have to be done.
The Dmax has a stainless steel timing chain that doesn't need changing. The motors have a good reputation as well. My Brother has a Ford Ranger. lovely car. The tub in the back is not much though. I got the Dmax new and had an extended tray that would take 2.4 x 1.2 sheets . That's a little larger than the standard fit. Only thing I regret is not getting the 4WD version. Unknown to me when I bought it , we sold up and moved to a country property six months later.

If, by Gullwing, you mean the full width toolboxes that sit behind the cab on a tray, then they can be mounted on risers so you have a few inches clearance underneath for full sheets.

Or go the other way and fit ladder racks, spaced so you can slip a sheet on overhead with a coupla pine studs underneath to minimise sag. Depends on whether lugging sheets around is a daily thing or not.

far from a ford man, im turning towards now the ranger raptor. what are these like? good size, decent power from petrol engine etc..

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Originally Posted by wozzzzza

far from a ford man, im turning towards now the ranger raptor. what are these like? good size, decent power from petrol engine etc..

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I don’t know if it is an issue to you or not but the Raptor has a derated carrying and towing capacity compared to the other models in the line up. I only know because a mate changed the model below the raptor because the reduction effected his use requirements.

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Originally Posted by wozzzzza

far from a ford man, im turning towards now the ranger raptor. what are these like? good size, decent power from petrol engine etc..

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The Raptor is just the go fast sporty version of the Ranger, with suspension more tuned to off road sports. As such, it has reduced load carrying capacity (and I believe towing capacity also) from the standard Ranger variants - and is more expensive. Not sure about the current model, but the previous model also had a smaller engine than the Ranger. Personally I wouldn't waste money on a Raptor - the Ranger XLT has everything you could possibly need, and there are cheaper variants than this that will probably meet your requirements. The XLT is the lowest spec in the current range that offers either the 2 litre 4 cylinder or a 3 litre V6 diesel engine. The 3 litre V6 diesel is the latest derivative of the Ford "Lion" engine that has been around for years, an earlier version of which I have in my Land Rover. A good, economical engine with enough power for anything you are ever likely to need.