[Aussie Pete]

Had a look under an RTV on the weekend. It seems to me that all that is required to convert a ute into an RTV (neglecting the locking diff) are:

- the front suspension add on knuckles to change the wishbone pickup points
- front shock/spring unit
- rear leaf springs
- rear leaf to axle brackets
- rear leaf to chassis front mount castings
- add torque trailing arm on rear suspension

I REALLY like the RTV idea, but the 220 is hardly my scene. Imagine an XR8 or Pursuit ute riding high on 20 inch off roady rims SUV style!!! I reckon it would be awesome.

Anyone else confirm the changes above????

 

[RAPTOR]

Pete, I have been in contact with the Ford engineers that brought it about, ever since the UteMan B&S Mongrel ute (high riding AU based prototype). They are a bit coy about releasing precise details (understandably) but I do know that it is basically a lowering of suspension points as you have outlined. The one thing you have missed is that the steering rack went up with the body and to compensate the tie rod balljoint is now mounted on top of mount rather than below it - so the taper must also be machined into the upright on the reverse angle from the factory.

This is to maintain correct geometry of the steering arms and is in fact the determinant of how far the ute could be raised (the distance btw the lower & upper mounting positions). Also different alignment settings to maintain Adams curves.

Extra lift comes from taller tires but beware fouling on the upper balljoint area. To fit really big rubber the wheel offset would need to be increased further and I'd soon start to wonder about how much those Falcon uprights and steering components can really take - plus there would be legality issues.

 

[Aussie Pete]

I wonder how hard it would be to compile a definitive shopping list. By the sound of it the big ticket item (the steering rack) stays the same.

Now as I understand it if you buy the entire SLALS unit off an RTV you should be okay for the front end (making it easy to swap back by simply swapping SLALS).

 

[TIKFD6]

I REALLY like the RTV idea, but the 220 is hardly my scene. Imagine an XR8 or Pursuit ute riding high on 20 inch off roady rims SUV style!!! I reckon it would be awesome.

Anyone else confirm the changes above????

Yeah, i agree Pete, would look very tough with the right Rim/Tyre combo.

 

[philstoj]

I relly like the RTV, if i buy a ba, that would be the one id really consider...
The 220's are ok, especially now that they are producing heaps of aftermarket gear for them..
not hard to get one of those motors going just as hard as a boss..

 

[flavze]

Well AP, you've got the Pursuit. The 19's on order ya could change to 20's(if simmons make em that big).
Would look bloody hilarious i reckon seing a high-rise pursuit, stick a huge set of mud-duellers on an go the mini monster truck look!! :wnc:
Would scare the shit outa all the jacked-up hi-lux drivers out there.

 

[r00na]

Would scare the shit outa all the jacked-up hi-lux drivers out there

Haha, it would look good i agree 100% but as for scaring my last 2 hilux's.... i doubt it :angel:

AP, are you just toying with this idea... or is there something in the works?

cheers,
Matt

 

[r00na]

Actually, i must say... if power and cornering over 60KPH was taken into account.... then yes it would scare the $h!t out of me when i had the hilux's because they just didnt like that sort of thing LMAO

cheers,
Matt

 

[Aussie Pete]

I wanna use the Pursuit (or perhaps a replacement XR8) for shooting and better placement of the dirtbike so the ground clearance would be great. I guess cost and outright feasibility are at issue here.

 

[Madder]

I wanna use the Pursuit (or perhaps a replacement XR8) for shooting and better placement of the dirtbike so the ground clearance would be great. I guess cost and outright feasibility are at issue here.

PREFACE: Hi All, been lurking for a while but AP baited me and has got me sucked back into the FF abyss. No better way to start my FF year than by sticking the boot into AP on the Ute Forums!

Great idea AP! Nothing like bringing those mismatched Merc Silv bits up closer to eye level!! Maybe you want to consider getting UP Tooling to make some custom matte black trim to match the RTV wheel arch inserts and remove the problem altogether!

I agree that the RTV is a very tempting and tough ute (in the right colour!). But already having an XR8 and being largely a city slicker (at the moment) means it's not worth Pursuit (now thats a good term! File for later use!).

As always though AP, we'll let you be the test-pilot and will support you when it comes time to pick up the pieces. Enough though, as I expect I may run into you at the FPV day where you'll beat the living sh#t out of me (or at least steal Merc Silv trim bits off my ute in futile hope of a match, "AP, how come your ute says XR8 on one side and PURSUIT on the other?!!").

PS: DO the parts you listed take care of the wider track?

 

[Aussie Pete]

I forgot to mention that it would also be a good way to thrash the ute into the ground. As part of the mods I was thinking of fitting matt black unpainted plastic bars.

Schmick mate!

 

[r00na]

I wanna use the Pursuit (or perhaps a replacement XR8) for shooting and better placement of the dirtbike so the ground clearance would be great. I guess cost and outright feasibility are at issue here.

Very true AP (cost & feasibility). Either way i look forward to reading your thoughts and research on this idea. All the best.

cheers,
Matt

 

[flavze]

Wouldn't a 220 RTV with a blower on it have enuff grunt for ya?
Would be a heap cheaper i reckon than converting an XR8 or Pursuit to RTV spec.
Wack on a Carbon Fibre bonnet with the bulge an you'd feel like it was an XR8.

Maybe you could enquire at Ford as to getting RTV suspension put onto ya pursuit, they would probly jump at it if it made ya talk good about them!!

 

[Aussie Pete]

I have what I believe to be a pretty definitive list on what's required (parts only) the cost including GST for parts only would be around $3000 from Ford Spares. That's suspension only, no bash plates, guard flares or locking diff.

That makes an XR8 RTV high rider a mid $40k proposition. Who's gonna give it a go?????

 

[Charliewool]

Does the RTV run a M86 Dana diff? (as Pursuit & XR8) I believe the ratio is 3.7 or 3.9?? And what controls the lockup on these (electric?, air??)
If it IS a M86, would be an awesome mod for the Pursuit, especially being able to lock!
Hmmmmm, Wonder how much $$

 

[LostBoy]

That makes an XR8 RTV high rider a mid $40k proposition. Who's gonna give it a go?????

AP, i would love to give it a go, but i just bought an RTV to sit beside the XR8 in the shed

 

[Aussie Pete]

Why buy two cars when one will do?????

:edit:
As for the diff, the RTV diff is locked via electric solenoid that applies vacuum to the diff and forces the gears together. It is the M86 diff.

 

[LostBoy]

Why buy two cars when one will do?????

it's two utes, but one is used as a work ute, run up lots of km's in a hurry and the other is my weekend plaything. now i am thinking haveing the 8 with the suspension may be just the thing as i am about to change jobs and i dont need the work ute. how do you think an RTV with out the extra suspension would sell... just like an XLS i guess??

 

[XTS220]

I sat in an RTV thisarvo, i dont like it much as the driving position is the same as the normal ute, it seems a bit hard to see out of????

It was at the motorshow so i guess it wasnt really on the road in traffic.

 

[outback_ute]

I thought the RTV did use the M86 diff. Charlie, the only prob with having a locking diff is you then lose the LSD, which is more useful on the road in most circumstances. I think I know what you're thinking!!! Also I think the ratio is still 3.45.