any holden frontera owners out there?

[BigE]

just replace the deckies old VN commodore with a 2002 V6 auto Frontera (wanted a Pajie or roo, but it was her choice) and just wanted to know if any one has had any experience with these 4Bs.

wheel base looks a bit short, but it's got tonnes of stick and the suspension seems to be pretty stiff has an LSD (and lots of other fruit) I'm yet to try it out but think it may be a bit of a susprise package. it doesn't weigh alot either so i'm thinkin light+power = not a bad thing.

any views guys??

Regards BigE

[revs57]

Hey BigE,

We've had a 2003 MX Frontera S since new...tough truck...changed the suspension to king springs and koni's to sort the "stiffness" (I know exactly what you mean - and the king/koni combo fixed that for around $700.00 fitted them myself) and added a 2 inch lift in rear and wound the front torsion bars up 3/4 inch too.

You're right...plenty of stick...151 kws (approx 200hp). Workshop maunal said they use oil under load...a design feature to make sure the engine is protected when working...and they do too!!! So keep your eye on the oil levels when towing or beach driving. All the torque grunt happens at 3000 prm...not many in the class can stay with them for sheer pulling power.

The Frontera has significant panels galvanised for corrosion protection too...I've got an original brochure if you'd like a copy I can copy it off and snail mail if you'd like to PM me with the adress.

2000kg towing capacity...not quite enough for our new rig so I've picked up a 1992 patrol to use as a tow truck for it.

I'm sure the Frontera would have handled it with the grunt but felt the body may be a little light and get pushed around with a 2200kg rig.

We put Goodyear Wranglers AT/R's on it...chalking up 80,000klms on them...not much life left in them now, but had a real good run out of them. We had them balanced and rotated and front end aligned every service...it really made a difference to their wear rate.

Had it in some moderate off road situations - handled it very well. We are planning to take it to the Gibb River Rd and back across the Simpson - I'm that confident in it. I've even pulled a couple of fully loaded Toyotas out of soft sand...I must admit I was pretty impressed with that effort...

We've done 80,000 trouble free Klms...I'd reckon one of the toughest mid sized 4X4's around. Had Hilux's previously...they wouldn't hold a candle to the Frontera I reckon. Cannot for the life of me work out why GMH stopped importing them...they didn't market them and I reckon they are one of the General's best kept secrets.

A bit thirsty though, best of 11ish litres/100klm on the highway but you can kiss goodbye to 18ish litres/1000klm towing...give it stick around town and you'll drive from bowser to bowser. But a small consolation when considering the performance of the Frontera...we're extremely happy with ours

All the best with it...

Cheers

Rhys

[BigE]

Rhys
Many Many thanks for the reply it was just the type of info i was after. first job for my rig will be towing a 15ft halfcab back from bowen to brisvagas. would like the brochure if you can spare a copy will PM and addy to ya.

Many thanks

BigE

[revs57]

That's Gold BigE...when your in Bris be good to compare rigs too and perhaps share an ale if you like ...when you coming down?

Bowen...I've heard good things about the fishing up there...Do you know Jamie with the new 8mt Rip Tide that fishes out of Bowen?

Rhys

[BigE]

Rhys I live in the vagas i'm heading nth on the 19 pick up the 1/2ie and tow back ....... my brother has lived in bowen about 15yrs beautiful place great fishin (reds from holburne and maccies from the patch or abborts HEAVEN)

I'm on the sth side (Boronia Hts) but fish for cartwright.

Rum sounds better than beer

Cheers

[revs57]

Mate,

The frontera will tow your boat back really well...remember all the grunt happens at 3000 revs...it will eat those klms up

you're just around the corner..I'm in Kingston...and I don't mind a rum either...PM if you wanna catch up

Cheers

Rhys

[BigE]

sounds like a mission REV will pm ya when i get back from the north

[revs57]

Look forward to catching up..

Cheers

Rhys

[goldentrevally]

Rhys
Many Many thanks for the reply it was just the type of info i was after. first job for my rig will be towing a 15ft halfcab back from bowen to brisvagas. would like the brochure if you can spare a copy will PM and addy to ya.

Many thanks

BigE

Hi Rhys,

I have a 2000 MX Frontera & tow a 5.4 meter half cab with it. It tow's well but the weight of the boat makes it a bit hard to pull up!!. Just leave a fair bit of space between you & the car in front (If you have a manual you can probably slow down a bit quicker than me). They are beautiful cars. I am in love with mine.

I had one exactly the same before this one- it was a manual, which was way faster to drive around but it drove me nuts in peak hour traffic so I swapped it for an auto.

P.S. It's good to get the back lifted a little as it helps balance the weight of the boat when towing. I would like my suspension softened up a little for Sydney roads.

cheers

[Hairy_Harold]

Are these not just basically a rodeo? Front end looks similar same engine I think (3.2litre Isuzu v6?). Obviously shorter chassis, different body. If so my parents used to own a 2001 dual cab rodeo only pulled a 15ft caravan with it but did it with ease, lots of torque perfect for towing.

[Luxyboy]

Why not use airbags?
that way you can have it soft for around town then pumped up for towing.

[picollo]

Have you any of you had any problems with the ABS light? Apparently it needs to be replaced but I don't wish to donate 1.2k to Holden.