FX4 or Tremor? Fast Lane Truck Guides Viewers Through the Differences
FX4 becomes the elder statesman with introduction of Tremor Off-Road Package.
The 2020 model year brings some exciting changes to the Ford Super Duty. There’s an all-new gasoline engine, a new 10-speed automatic transmission, and a ton of new standard and optional features designed to make Ford’s most capable trucks more appealing than ever. Among these changes, the Tremor Off-Road Package is perhaps the most anticipated addition to the Super Duty roster. That’s because it adds a whole bunch of off-road oriented tech and features to the F-250 and F-350. But where does the FX4 Off-Road Package come into play now that the Tremor is available?
That’s what The Fast Lane Truck’s Stephen Elmer discussed in a recent video posted to YouTube from their TFLoffroad channel. In the video, Elmer goes through the biggest differences between both packages and why buyers may want to opt for the Tremor instead of the FX4.
Elmer doesn’t talk about every single difference between the FX4 and Tremor. He simply opts to explain his choices for the top five upgrades that might sway buyers toward the Tremor. First up at number five is the tires. Michelin LTX all-terrain tires are used on the FX4. Elmer notes that the FX4’s tires are substantial compared to a regular Super Duty but not the best tires for off-road use. By contrast, the Tremor comes equipped with 35 inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac off-road all terrain tires with an extremely aggressive tread pattern. They’re the largest ever factory tires in Super Duty history!
Elmer then turns his attention to the Tremor’s front air dam. The number four upgrade is noteworthy because “a lot of these trucks use these air dams, they’re always a pain to take off and if you do go off-roading with them, you’re definitely going to hit some rocks or roots or whatever is down there. So it’s nice that Ford just takes it off for you” says Elmer. The FX4 has traditional air dams that reduce ground clearance for the sake of fuel economy.
Number three on Elmer’s list is ground clearance. While the FX4 boasts decent numbers, it cannot match the Tremor’s height. With a two inch lift kit, the Tremor has 10.8 inches of ground clearance, making it a pretty capable beast.
Elmer’s number two pick is the Tremor’s unique drive modes. There’s two unique off-road modes that the FX4 doesn’t get. First up is Trail Control, which is new to the Super Duty lineup. Trail Control is essentially just a special cruise control for off-road use. Technically, Ford doesn’t consider Trail Control to be a drive mode and instead refers to it as a feature, but that’s what Elmer calls it. We’ll give him a pass since he made such an informative video. Anyway, Elmer also discusses rock-crawl mode, which is in fact an actual drive mode. It’s a special calibration for 4X4 low that is also unique to the Tremor.
What was Elmer’s number one pick? The aesthetics! The Tremor’s overall appearance really resonated with him. “When you combine the two inch lift, the big tires, those running boards straight off the Raptor, and then that blacked-out grille, this Tremor just comes across looking really tough, and I think it’s going to stand out in a crowd. And frankly, that might be the coolest thing about it.” We’re inclined to agree with him on that one.
Elmer goes beyond his top five picks to talk about some additional features that are also available on the Tremor. Ford gives buyers a choice between metal running boards pulled straight from the Raptor or more traditional powered units that tuck up against the body. Ford also lets Tremor buyers choose between gas or diesel. The upgraded 6.7 liter Power Stroke is one option along with the all-new 7.3 liter gasoline engine. Both will be mated to the new TorqShift 10-speed automatic. Elmer helpfully points out that the Tremor is available on the XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum trims.
Elmer ends his video with two caveats. The first is that the Tremor is only available on the F-250 and F-350 SuperCrew with 6.75 ft bed and single rear wheel. And secondly, Ford has yet to disclose prices for the Tremor package. Those are minor issues considering the overall excellence of the new package, which is sure to be worth every penny. And the FX4? It’s still a good buy if you’re looking for a Super Duty that can handle some light off-road adventures. As for the video, it’s definitely worth a watch because Elmer’s enthusiasm is infectious and his presentation is top notch.
