I had the chance to drive the F150 FX4 back to back with an F250 yesterday, and I think I figured out what bothers me about the F150's setup. Short story is that I actually prefer the ride of the F250, even though it's definitely rougher and more 'truck-like', whatever that means (I think it means it has a solid front axle, which has that unmistakably solid feel to it). What makes me prefer it though is that it feels balanced - that is, both the front and the rear feel the same. On the F150, at least the FX4, the front and rear seem to diverge in different directions to the F250 - the rear feels more stiffly sprung, while the front less so.

I suspect two things are at play. First, the weight of the F250 helps settle down the rear, so even though it's objectively more stiffly sprung it doesn't feel as if it's skipping over bumps like the F150 does (to me). And second, Ford has chosen to make up for the F150s lighter tail by softening up the front (or of course they could have just chosen to give the front a more car-like feel, to appeal to the masses - probably a bit of each). The result - again, to me - is an unbalance, where the soft front end makes the truck seem to wallow around and take a bit to settle down when going over undulating bumps, while the stiffer rear makes it feel like it's skipping over the small bumps.

So I just wait and get the 250, right? Wrong - that truck is friggin enormous. I know I could get used to it, but frankly I felt like I needed to call a tug boat to help me park. Of course, I can see the appeal of that - just not for me, I don't think. Maybe I'll change my mind later, but for now, I think the solution is the F150 with different shocks up front and some added weight in the back. Fortunately, I'm probably going to fit out the bed with some drawers and a bed slide, and those alone should add about 500lbs, plus whatever I carry full time in the drawers.

 

leikos, I know what you mean about the unloaded manners of the F150. Even the 200 lbs or so that my fibreglass canopy adds seems to help.

 

I'm curious if anyone has any experience with a Raptor vs an FX4 or a 250. I was told that it's an even softer ride, but that's the salesman talking and he said that he hadn't actually driven one himself..

 

That is what I've heard about the raptor as well, supposed to be an insanely soft ride, which makes sense for it's purpose as a high-speed desert racing type truck.
I also haven't driven one, but have discussed this with a guy who owns one.

 

Comments on both:

I previously owned an '11 4x4 Supercrew with the 6.5' bed and 10-ply tires. I noticed very little difference when I went from the (cheap) factory Goodyears to the 10-plys, but overall still a good ride. I now have the '15 Lariat FX4 Supercrew 5.5' bed and the only difference I notice is the rear wheels want to hop/break loose over bumps, mostly while cornering though. I think some of that is due to the balance leikos described in the difference between the 150 and 250. Some of that may be from the shorter bed.

I have a major gearhead coworker (dyno in the garage, in the process of building his second, weekend, time trial, kit racer...) who has ridden in a Raptor. He said it was an amazingly smooth ride, even at a higher rate of speed across a harvested field in the area. He also mentioned going over some "roller coaster" hills and, after peaking you can tell the rearend is coming off the ground from the higher engine noise. The suspension on those trucks is extremely soft and works well.

 

I believe the biggest difference in ride will be between the 2wd & 4wd, the FX4 package added to a trim level is basically skid plates, hill descent control, and locking rear axle (not completely sure about the axle) and Rancho "branded" shocks (unless they've changed for the 2015 MY, the shocks aren't true Ranchos). I don't think there will be a huge difference between a 4X4 & a FX4....
On the new trucks, 2015+, does Ford still carry a dedicated FX4 trim level?

 

It's on the configurator. You can also add just the skid plates, etc. without getting the FX4 decals on the sides.