FX4 Package
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 57
The FX4 rides a touch rougher than a normal 4wd...…….If you ride on nice smooth roads all the time.
The FX4 handles rough or rougher roads way better and is more stable.
To me, its worth the trade off.
I would not describe either one as a bad ride.
The FX4 handles rough or rougher roads way better and is more stable.
To me, its worth the trade off.
I would not describe either one as a bad ride.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
I disagree. My FX4 was downright dangerous on a rough road (when empty), because the back end would skip all over. It was much better with some weight in it. I replaced the rear shocks, and it's a whole different truck now. That's on a 2016; there could be different shock calibration on other years. But they really screwed the pooch with the 2016 FX4 shocks.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 57
And you can, I was relating my experience with a '13 Plat 4x4 compared to a '17 Plat FX4.
Both vehicles I have driven extensively.
The info provided was for the OP.
He can decide who is credible.
Both vehicles I have driven extensively.
The info provided was for the OP.
He can decide who is credible.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
You realize the shocks are the same right? Look at the part numbers it's the same shock for FX4 and 4x4 trucks. Ford calls them offroad tuned shocks in the literature. The FX4 package is a utter waste of money anyways. The skid plates are cheap and the HDC button can be added for 15.00 later on. The springs are also the same and only change based on payload packages or with 157" wb and max tow with factory 20" wheels.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 57
Again, I am relating real world experience driving a '13 non "Off Road" ( old FX4 pkg) vs a "17 FX4.
I don't know if its the shocks, springs or setup.
If it was me and I wanted a change, I would go with Bilstein as mentioned above.
The ride may not improve, but the handling will.
ON EDIT:
I had links and info showing all the different rear shocks available from Ford for a '17 F150'
Actually makes no difference.
The FX4 pkg states off road tuned FRONT SHOCKS.
I don't know if its the shocks, springs or setup.
If it was me and I wanted a change, I would go with Bilstein as mentioned above.
The ride may not improve, but the handling will.
ON EDIT:
I had links and info showing all the different rear shocks available from Ford for a '17 F150'
Actually makes no difference.
The FX4 pkg states off road tuned FRONT SHOCKS.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
You realize the shocks are the same right? Look at the part numbers it's the same shock for FX4 and 4x4 trucks. Ford calls them offroad tuned shocks in the literature. The FX4 package is a utter waste of money anyways. The skid plates are cheap and the HDC button can be added for 15.00 later on. The springs are also the same and only change based on payload packages or with 157" wb and max tow with factory 20" wheels.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
You think the rest of us don't drive our trucks "extensively"? LOL I drive most of my miles in WI and MI, which have horrible roads that get broken up by freezing and thawing every winter. I also drive a lot of rough dirt roads. The stock shocks were lousy and dangerous in those conditions. But better shocks aren't that expensive, so it's not a reason to not buy one.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
YES! Its completely useless. It does not come with a e-locker, that is forced when FX4 is selected. The FX4 is a stand alone 770.00 option and the E locker is a forced option. The E locker is great and well worth the cost by itself without the 770.00 mall cruiser stickers. Also the AT tires come with all 4x4 trucks and it's not unique to FX4. The tires should be the least of anyone's concern, those are disposable in the first 10k.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
YES! Its completely useless. It does not come with a e-locker, that is forced when FX4 is selected. The FX4 is a stand alone 770.00 option and the E locker is a forced option. The E locker is great and well worth the cost by itself without the 770.00 mall cruiser stickers. Also the AT tires come with all 4x4 trucks and it's not unique to FX4. The tires should be the least of anyone's concern, those are disposable in the first 10k.
Have you priced aftermarket skid plates? They are not cheap, and while the factory plates might not be the best, they are a lot better than nothing. Unless you are a city person who never goes off-road (Brentwood, CA), but then you should just admit that, rather than bashing the FX4 package.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
Mine came with Wranglers. They aren't great, but a lot better than having a highway tire. Are you sure the dealer didn't swap wheels with another truck before you bought it? They do that sometimes.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,232
Likes: 1,248
From: San Antonio, TX
I should have said Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT. Not all Wranglers are All Terrains. Ford says they are. Tire Rack lists them as highway tires. They were replaced at 8k miles due to flat issues, just like almost every other set of OEM Goodyears I’ve been unlucky enough to get since the 80s.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 72
Mine came from the factory with Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure tires. I don't know what calls out they tire you get. I do have the FX4 package.
I have 26K miles on them and they are wearing fine.
Frankly, these seem like decent tires. They are not aggressive tires, which also means they are smooth and quiet on the highway.
I'll probably put Michelin's on it next, I prefer their tires.
I have 26K miles on them and they are wearing fine.
Frankly, these seem like decent tires. They are not aggressive tires, which also means they are smooth and quiet on the highway.
I'll probably put Michelin's on it next, I prefer their tires.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 360
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
Mine came from the factory with Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure tires. I don't know what calls out they tire you get. I do have the FX4 package.
I have 26K miles on them and they are wearing fine.
Frankly, these seem like decent tires. They are not aggressive tires, which also means they are smooth and quiet on the highway.
I'll probably put Michelin's on it next, I prefer their tires.
I have 26K miles on them and they are wearing fine.
Frankly, these seem like decent tires. They are not aggressive tires, which also means they are smooth and quiet on the highway.
I'll probably put Michelin's on it next, I prefer their tires.