Skid Plates Were A Option When We Bought The 05 Scab Lariet. Also Got The Tow Package And The At Tires.

 

The FFV engines are basically the same with upgraded fuel sytem/lines to handle the corrosive effects of E85. The computer also compensates for the octane of the fuel as far as timing is concerned. The engine should be just fine. As far as seats there should not be much difference. Can't say if the shocks are true rancho's or not but they are a tad stiffer than the XLT's. Drove both the XLT and FX4 and you could notice the difference. Not sure about the Lariat or KR. I don't really think one is an upgrade over the other as far as components. More of a trim difference between the Fx4 and Lariat. Feel good about either one. I would go with the one you think looks best and fits your needs as far as trim levels. Everything underneath is all the same.

 

If you want to know which parts of your seats are leather and which are vinyl, just push on the seat with you finger. The leather parts will wrinkle around the tip of your finger and the vinyl parts wont. Ford says the seats in the Lariat and FX4 have "leather seating surfaces". Pretty much the whole part of the front captains chairs you sit on are leather, the sides, backs and headrests are vinyl. On the back seat only the two panels where the ouside passengers sit are leather, the rest is vinyl. Only the King Ranch seats are all leather. Don't beleive it? Try the finger test. If you don't beleive that ask a reputable upholstery shop or pull the covers off yourself. I can honestly say that there is very little leather on my Lariat's back seat.

 

I'm glad you said that about the shocks not being rancho cause my 06 FX4 don't have them either thought i got jipped for a second

 

i am looking at a crew fx4 with cloth seats i am wondering how they hold up....i am a landcaper and all ways come home dirt with dir all over my jeans so whats kinda better.....how well do the leather fx4 seats hold up?

 

I have the Lariet and love it. Much smooth ride the the FX4....... The leather is real but not excellent quality. It wears good if cared for.......... The main wear point is the driverside edge next to the door

 

I have the black sport leather in my FX4. I would describe its surface as pebbled. It is not perforated like the leather seats in my Mustang. I believe only the seating surfaces are leather. The rest of the seat is covered in vinyl, but looks the same.

 

go with the lariat. i use mine offroad all the time. the only drawback is no skid plate. which i plan on picking up one of those this week.

 

wow, another old thread revival

the shocks may/may not be Rancho on a FX4...but they are different part #'s between the reg 4x4 and FX4

as for the seats...the entire seat looks identical to me. I cannot tell a difference if they are 1/2 leather and 1/2 vinyl.

if you just want a 4x4 truck to cruise around in, get a Lariat. If you want a truck that is nicely optioned and good offroad, then look at a FX4.

the FX4 comes standard with:
vs. a Lariat which can get all of the above options, but at slightly more $$$. It's always cheaper to buy as a package than to peicemeal togother. oh yeah, and you can get every option the Lariat offers except the Trip Computer

 

yeah ive got all those on my lariat except skid plates and the fx4 sticker. plus heated seats, mirrors and backglass. i think the only thing i dont have is a sunroof.