AU1 Falcon XL Ute & Tray Back Specifications Page:

AU series 1 Falcon Ute & Tray Back:

Summary:

Introduced in 1999, the AU Falcon ute, tray back and cab - chassis were an instant success. Taking up where the Holden One Tonner left off, it added all of the modern conveniences plus a healthy dose of style, much better fuel economy and of course - reliability. An Aussie tray back was long overdue by this point and had buyers flocking from every direction. Adding the comfort of a sedan to the traditional values inherent in many a Japanese tray back proved just what the doctor had ordered - along with a big, torquey straight six to make life extra easy.

It is worth noting that the Falcon six probably put out more power than most 5.0 litre V8's fitted to even the legendary HQ - WB utes & trays. With Ford's 175kw V8 as an option, what more could a bloke want in a work vehicle? Which - of course - is what the AU XL was all about. Built tough meant simply extending on the Falcon's already impressive qualities - with it's bullet proof forged upper & lower front control arms connecting to an equally strong forged spindle. One look at the sub chassis running underneath the rear left you with no doubts as to this vehicle's capabilities - and the ultra tough Holden One Tonner all of a sudden began to look a little weedy. While the smart punters quickly pointed out that the Falcon lacked the full separate chassis of the old HQ - WB, Ford already had it's answer in the form of a large torque box running the full width of the back of the cabin and capably transferring any undue stresses into the floor braces (running into the sub-frame at the front) and sills at the sides.

And unlike the sedan - nearly everybody had praise for the new ute's looks and practicality that let you convert from a style side bed to tray and back again in less than a day's work. The new "Supercab" let you have the space you've always wanted for carrying those extra items that you didn't really want flying all around the back - including seats that flipped forward for easy access. In fact, the only criticism that could be levelled was a lack of entry space and head clearance for some taller drivers. As the first Falcon ever to leave the factory in tray back form, the AU also saw the demise of the traditional joined ute style bed - to be replaced by the semi-detached pick up style rear. Not that it mattered much - the public didn't seem to care (for good reason) despite a few letters sent in to magazines pointing out this fact. For now it was so much easier to replace a damaged rear 1/4 if it had to be - or substitute for a tray if the owner so desired. And besides, that's how the F-series came didn't it?

So with that I'll hand you over to have a look at the summarised version of the AU Falcon Ute (XL) specs:

AU XL ute & cab chassis standard equipment:

Engine choices:

4.0 litre inline six cylinder.

157kW @ 4900 rpm.

357Nm @ 3000 rpm.

Overhead Cam with roller rockers & roller cam followers.

Alloy head with direct heat detection sender on the back of no.6 combustion chamber.

Stronger head studs with greater pull down tensions.

New two-piece head gasket to further aid in reducing blown head gaskets.

Sequential fuel injection.

Dual resonance intake manifold for a better torque spread.

Serpentine accessory drive belt for quietness and increased reliability.

Fail safe cooling (engine can literally run without coolant in it - theoretically it is impossible to cook this engine due to loss of coolant). *This feature un-available while running on LPG.

‘Smart start’ - prevents you from engaging the starter motor if the engine is already running.

Structural sump for quieter operation and increased block stiffness.

New alloy rocker cover for improved looks and quieter operation.

New stiffer and better balanced crankshaft for quieter operation and less NVH.

Longer conrods for better fuel economy & better burn control.

New short skirt anti-friction coated pistons for better fuel economy.

Overall, a much sweeter and easier engine to rev than ever before...

Engine Optional #1:

Factory fitted “Tickford” LPG conversion:

Including no loss in power.

Works with Distance to Empty calculator.

Integrated look to dash controls.

Uses standard fuel gauge for selected fuel.

Greater economy than most aftermarket units.

Cannot be fitted by dealer or aftermarket - only by Tickford on new vehicle as delivered from factory.

Dealer fitted “Parnell” LPG conversion:

Some have commented it handles “dirty” gas better than the Tickford unit.

Only a small power loss.

Costs less to install.

Can be fitted at any time by dealer or aftermarket.

Engine Option #2:

5.0 litre V8 featuring:
175 kW @ 4600 rpm.
395 Nm @ 3200 rpm.
Pushrod design.
Cast-iron heads.
Sequential fuel injection.
Serpentine accessory drive belt.
Pressed steel rocker covers and sump.
Note: All AU Falcon V8s came minus the "fail safe cooling" of the six cylinder, and hence must be treated accordingly. Considering the V8s have never had significant head gasket problems (and neither did the AU six for that matter) this shouldn't put you off.

Gearbox options:

5 speed manual standard (note: this limits towing options due to Ford's overly weak clutch set-up).
4 speed auto (including overdrive and converter lock up) optional.
Optional column shift auto.

Suspension:

Fully independent double wishbone front suspension - forged upper & lower control arms, forged spindle.
Live rear axil on heavy duty leaf springs with outboard shock absorbers for ultimate motion control with this type of suspension.
3/4 tonne (820kg) suspension standard with style side bed.
1 tonne suspension standard with chassis-cab and optional on style side.

Steering:

Power assisted rack & pinion for exceptional steering feel (try it - you'll never ever know if you never ever go!).
3.1 turns lock to lock
Turning circle: 11.5m
Steering wheel mounted volume and seek audio controls.
Optional steering wheel mounted cruise control with 3 opt-out points.

Wheels & Tyres:

P205/65 HR15 steel belted radial 'economy' tyres with 3/4 ton suspension package.
P205/65 HR15 G26 cargo tyres with 1 ton suspension package.
15" x 6" JISO silver painted steel wheels.

Convenience:

Electric remote control exterior mirrors.

Appearance / Identification:

XL badging on tailgate (on style-side beds).
'Argent' (grey metallic) coloured egg crate grill.
Black side protection mouldings.
Black unpainted exterior rear-view mirrors.

Load Space:

Plastic tray liner standard on style side rear box, including in built drink holder in tailgate, cargo divider slots moulded into the sides and space between the rear wheel arches to fit a standard pallet.
Optional black tonnau cover with 2 steel bows.

Security:

'Smartshield' security system, remote central locking/keyless entry.
'Tibbe' keys & locks.

Brakes:

ABS brakes optional (available only with the Limited Slip differential when fitted to 'one tonne' utes).

Floor mounted hand brake - left side of driver.

Seat mounted hand brake with bench seat option - right side of driver.

4 wheel disc brakes standard - vented fronts, solid rears.

Asbestos free pads all 'round.

Interior / Glass:

Manual winding style side windows.

Heated rear window.

Fixed speed intermittent wipers.

Driver's airbag.

Steering wheel mounted volume control & seek functions for radio / cassette.

Optional cruise control with steering wheel mounted controls - very easy to use.

Cloth trimmed bucket or bench (optional - fitted with column auto only) seats.

Rubber floor covering standard, carpet optional.

Quick tilt forward driver's seat for easy access to internal storage area.

10 Watt AM/FM stereo radio/cassette with 2 speakers, integrated clock and mobile phone mute features.

Child seat anchorage point.

Instrument panel includes Tachometer, fuels level, water temp and Distance To Empty (DTE) function.

Audible warnings for Turn signals, lights left on, high engine temperature and low fuel.

Warning lights for low oil pressure, high beam, alternator fail, lamps on, brake fail, hand brake on, low fuel, high temperature, rear demist, door ajar, seat belts, ABS (where fitted) and airbag.