I'm new to the board and I don't know a lot about trucks. But I've just finished paying off my Ranger and am looking for something new and better in the near future. I like the looks of the FX4.

What are the advantages of the FX4 over the XLT?

Should I go FX4 or XLT with upgrades?

I know prices aren't out yet, but what do ya'll predict the price of the FX4 to be?

Overall what do you think about the FX4?

Thanks.

 

I think the FX4 looks great. I would have gone with the FX4 if I wasn't sold on the Supercrew Lariat with all the works. If you are into a sportier look go FX4. The FX4 will have the stiffer shocks. Prices will be very similar to the XLT based on the 2003 pricing. Considering that Detroit is in the middle of a price war, I would expect the 2003 prices to be a good base line. Rumor is that Ford may offer rebates/financing incentives on the 04.

 

Well, the "new" FX4 is supposed to be a trim package all on it's own. The current FX4 F-150 really isn't worth the extra money. All it gives you is a stiffer ride basically. Almost no one really goes trail busting in their truck anyway. But if the new FX4 is a unique trim package on it's own...then that might be worth taking a look at.

 

Actually, you get an inch or so more ground clearance, skid plates, and stiffer ride.

Think it shares some options with the towing package also, most notably aux. transmission cooler.

I like the 17 inch wheels also

Charles

 

Here's what you get, straight from the for web site.
You have to start with an XLT and add a V-8 and if you get a 5.4 and Automatic. After that after adding the FX4 you get
FX4 Off-Road Equipment Group $1,405.00
- P265/70R17 OWL All-Terrain Tires
- Optional LT265/70R17 OWL All-Terrain Tires are recommended for demanding Off-Road Usage
- New 17" 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum Wheels
- Two-Tone: Wheel Lip Moldings, Honeycomb Center Grille, Top Cap and Lower Valance
- Unique FX4 Tape Stripe
- Skid Plates (Fuel Tank, Transfer Case, and Frame Front Crossmember)
- Heavy-Duty Rancho Shock Absorbers
- New "FX4 Off-Road" Decal
- 3.55 Limited Slip Axle
- Stainless Steel Lug Nuts
- Optional Two-Tone Paint Combinations with Unique Dark Shadow Grey Lower Two-Tone (XLT) and Arizona Beige or Silver Metallic Lower Two-Tone (Lariat

The tires in non metric is equivilant to 31.5" tiresand you have to pay extra for the optional two tone paint schemes. The least you could spend on an FX4 is $27,660 MSRP for a 4.6 or $$30,055 MSRP for a 5.4 and thats with Reg. Cab Short Box. If you already had in mind an XLT with a V-8, then the FX-4 is a great way to make your truck a bit more capable. The you can get with an XLT is 245 70R16's, hich traneslates to about 30.5". To get the same tires as an FX4 you would have to get the STX upgrade which is similar to the FX4 minus the Rancho's, and the Limited Slip is optional. You would also get a Kenwood MP3/CD player. There is no extra towing or payload package added, compared to an XLT V-8, unless you want to pay the extra buck$ for it. The extra clearance you get is about a half inch due to the larger tires.
It comes down to what you want. If you paln to use the ruck off road much, which isn't common of most people who have trucks now, then the FX4 is what you want, but if you consider the cost of upgrades, especially it you want the larger tires, you would end up spending more than if you just got the FX4 unless you would be willing to sacrifice a V-8 for the 6. Go to Fordvehicles.com and do a build your own, and you will see where I'm getting this from.
Good luck. How do you like your ranger. Love mine, but would also consider the 2004 as a replacement.

 

first of all, Foo was talking about the 2004's, AG4.0 gave you a long speil of the differences between 2003's xlt and fx4's. I was looking at the order guide for the 2004's and have realized something. First of all, there is no toreador red option on the order sheet, although it is shown in that color in pics on the ford sneak peak site, second, with all the Starndard options on the new fx4, the price is gunna be rediculous. It has basically everything the lariat has but some leather and trim options. I was hoping for a regular cab fx4 with floor shifter, and audiophile sound for 40,000 canadian, but id guess that its gunna be more like 46,000 by looking at the order guide, truck only for the rich.

 

Yeah, over the last ten years truck prices have gotten crazy. Ford is going even further this year. Some '04s will be getting near $40K U.S. dollars. I have no idea how people can pay that kind of money for a pickup truck and still sleep at night. Our monthly house payment is less than one of these new F-150s will be. And as long as the wealthy people keep buying them...Ford will keep making them and will keep bumping up the prices, and their profits. Shame on them!

 

funny thing is..... last years trucks, in Canada, were priced at a 62cent dollar against the american dollar, now that its up to 75cents, you think the price will change, NO!

for a 30000dollar truck in the states, it was 48000 a year ago with the exchange rate, today, a 30000 dollar truck in the states should only be 39900canadian. An 8000 dollar difference due to the exchange rates, im beginning to think id be better off buying from the US.

 

Yeah, if that's the case..maybe you should just drive down across the border and buy one. Can you do that?

 

hey WXboy, you got alziemers? we can all read