FX4 Package....Info needed
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 2
From: northern ontario
No just pot holes on the road both front shocks were completely shot push them in and watch them on the ground do absolutely nothing they would not pull back out oil all over the body of them
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 7
I don't believe the shocks are nitrogen charged so they will not move a all on their own.
This is normal for many shocks from rancho, ome, skyjacker and others.
As far as ride goes, I think my 2015 F350 FX4 rides the best out of all the SD's I've owned.
And when I order a 2018 it will have the FX4 package. I need the skid plates and the descent control.
This is normal for many shocks from rancho, ome, skyjacker and others.
As far as ride goes, I think my 2015 F350 FX4 rides the best out of all the SD's I've owned.
And when I order a 2018 it will have the FX4 package. I need the skid plates and the descent control.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 2
From: northern ontario
I don't believe the shocks are nitrogen charged so they will not move a all on their own.
This is normal for many shocks from rancho, ome, skyjacker and others.
As far as ride goes, I think my 2015 F350 FX4 rides the best out of all the SD's I've owned.
And when I order a 2018 it will have the FX4 package. I need the skid plates and the descent control.
This is normal for many shocks from rancho, ome, skyjacker and others.
As far as ride goes, I think my 2015 F350 FX4 rides the best out of all the SD's I've owned.
And when I order a 2018 it will have the FX4 package. I need the skid plates and the descent control.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 538
Likes: 4
From: Quad Cities Illinois
As others have mentioned, it's tied in with getting the electronic locking differential in so far as ability to order it.
Skid plates will be great, Rancho shocks, people seem to take em or leave em, sticker will be removed at first opportunity.
I just want the E-locker and HDC, forces me into FX4 pkg and 20" wheels but I think it's worth it.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Bothell Wa
My 2007 lariat outlaw that I ordered in did not have the fx-4 package on it after 10,000 Kms I found that the front end was bottoming out we too easily all about dealer traced it back to bad front shocks when he ordered new ones I asked him to put the FX4 rancho shocks on it I found that it Road much better since then every truck that I have ordered I have ordered it with the fx4 package. I guess everyone has a different opinion on ride quality to each his own. Also if you don't like it it's just a matter of $400 for new shocks and get the ride that you want I would not pass up the truck just because of this package I don't think the regular shocks are any better
Everyone has their own opinion on what good ride quality is and replies will echo as such. If your concerned about the ride quality make sure not to get the heavy service front end, snow plow package, upgraded camper package or FX4 unless these are things that you NEED. You have to find your own balance of capability vs comfort and only you will know what your looking for. Test drive one.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 374
Likes: 33
Everyone has their own opinion on what good ride quality is and replies will echo as such. If your concerned about the ride quality make sure not to get the heavy service front end, snow plow package, upgraded camper package or FX4 unless these are things that you NEED. You have to find your own balance of capability vs comfort and only you will know what your looking for. Test drive one.
We came into our SD after 14 years, and three different generations of Expedition, (99, '04, '14) Those things ride smooth as a babies bottom..
But I come personally from a 24 year career riding around on tanks... so when someone says their truck rides like a tank.. I get kinda tingly all over and want to take it for a test drive.
That said, neither my self or the wife have an issue with the ride of our new FX4 SD. Is it stiffer then a sedan? yes. Is it objectionable (to us)? No.
As they say.. YMMV.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 575
Likes: 1
This is my main reason for getting the FX4 package, Hill Descent Control.
As others have mentioned, it's tied in with getting the electronic locking differential in so far as ability to order it.
Skid plates will be great, Rancho shocks, people seem to take em or leave em, sticker will be removed at first opportunity.
I just want the E-locker and HDC, forces me into FX4 pkg and 20" wheels but I think it's worth it.
As others have mentioned, it's tied in with getting the electronic locking differential in so far as ability to order it.
Skid plates will be great, Rancho shocks, people seem to take em or leave em, sticker will be removed at first opportunity.
I just want the E-locker and HDC, forces me into FX4 pkg and 20" wheels but I think it's worth it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 2
From: northern ontario
Comparing your 2007 to the new 2017 isn't exactly apples to apples and all shocks can fail.
Everyone has their own opinion on what good ride quality is and replies will echo as such. If your concerned about the ride quality make sure not to get the heavy service front end, snow plow package, upgraded camper package or FX4 unless these are things that you NEED. You have to find your own balance of capability vs comfort and only you will know what your looking for. Test drive one.
Everyone has their own opinion on what good ride quality is and replies will echo as such. If your concerned about the ride quality make sure not to get the heavy service front end, snow plow package, upgraded camper package or FX4 unless these are things that you NEED. You have to find your own balance of capability vs comfort and only you will know what your looking for. Test drive one.
And referring to my 2007 was just to get a comparison of how long I have been ordering trucks with the FX4 package I was not trying to compare it to a 2017
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Junior User
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
Solid answer. Ride quality, like mattress comfort is so personally subjective as to honestly be a topic that just shouldn't be brought up in polite conversation.
We came into our SD after 14 years, and three different generations of Expedition, (99, '04, '14) Those things ride smooth as a babies bottom..
But I come personally from a 24 year career riding around on tanks... so when someone says their truck rides like a tank.. I get kinda tingly all over and want to take it for a test drive.
That said, neither my self or the wife have an issue with the ride of our new FX4 SD. Is it stiffer then a sedan? yes. Is it objectionable (to us)? No.
As they say.. YMMV.
We came into our SD after 14 years, and three different generations of Expedition, (99, '04, '14) Those things ride smooth as a babies bottom..
But I come personally from a 24 year career riding around on tanks... so when someone says their truck rides like a tank.. I get kinda tingly all over and want to take it for a test drive.
That said, neither my self or the wife have an issue with the ride of our new FX4 SD. Is it stiffer then a sedan? yes. Is it objectionable (to us)? No.
As they say.. YMMV.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
I guess I don't have to worry about it. I found another truck without the package. It has a couple things I didn't want/need. Navigation system and Bed step. The dealer worked with me on the price a bit on these items so I guess I can live with them. No need for the GPS I guess
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 9
From: Finger Lakes, NY
I guess I don't have to worry about it. I found another truck without the package. It has a couple things I didn't want/need. Navigation system and Bed step. The dealer worked with me on the price a bit on these items so I guess I can live with them. No need for the GPS I guess
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 461
Likes: 3
I guess I don't have to worry about it. I found another truck without the package. It has a couple things I didn't want/need. Navigation system and Bed step. The dealer worked with me on the price a bit on these items so I guess I can live with them. No need for the GPS I guess
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 10,118
Likes: 650
From: NH
I've spent a lot of time reading on this forum and others over the years, and almost universally the "Rancho-branded" shocks are not well regarded. Supposedly they ride stiffer and fail sooner than the standard "black" shocks.
If they are the same shock, as some posters above have suggested, I've not had problems with mine - the black ones, that is.
I wouldn't turn down an FX4 truck...but the FX4 package is a joke. The 'skidplates' are plastic for the fuel tank, and a flimsy aluminum for the t-case. Better than nothing? Maybe. But functional as a skidplate over rocks? Nope.
Locking diff is a stand-alone option; FX4 may require it, but it is in no way tied into the Hill Descent Control system.
For those of you that travel down extremely steep grades off-road, HDC may be useful. Of course, low-range and low gear perform pretty much the same task while not wearing out and glazing your brakes.
HDC is not anything to be used on normal roads, and in most off-road driving is annoying to have switched on except for the steepest grades.
If they are the same shock, as some posters above have suggested, I've not had problems with mine - the black ones, that is.
I wouldn't turn down an FX4 truck...but the FX4 package is a joke. The 'skidplates' are plastic for the fuel tank, and a flimsy aluminum for the t-case. Better than nothing? Maybe. But functional as a skidplate over rocks? Nope.
Locking diff is a stand-alone option; FX4 may require it, but it is in no way tied into the Hill Descent Control system.
For those of you that travel down extremely steep grades off-road, HDC may be useful. Of course, low-range and low gear perform pretty much the same task while not wearing out and glazing your brakes.
HDC is not anything to be used on normal roads, and in most off-road driving is annoying to have switched on except for the steepest grades.