This makes zero sense. As 4wd6.7L said, you started this thread with a complaint. Did you forget that you were the one most not happy with the shocks in the first place?

In my case I think stock it rides okay with tire pressure set properly for the load. Maybe you should be driving something more consumer oriented when not hauling and towing, as you said yourself, you are in your mid 70's, why punish yourself with a stiff riding truck when you are not using it for its capabilities?

 

I rode in my cousin's FX4 last week on a hunting trip and to me it felt almost identical to my standard 4x4.

 

I could tell a difference when I replaced my stock shocks with Bilstein shocks. I enjoyed the ride more. How is that a waste?

If you ask me, the FX4 package was the biggest waste of money period, up until the 23’s anyway. Other waste that I identify is anything above an XLT trim. Leather seats. Adaptive cruise control. Auto backing. Rain sensing windshield wipers. 12 inch screens. Nav. Massaging seats. 23+ MY’s… it goes on and on. However I realize those things are a waste for me. I don’t like them nor do I want them… But most likely not for everyone else. For others these things make sense. And that’s ok too.

 

Bilsteins are not a waste. I ONLY purchased the FX4 package for the skid plates because it's almost impossible to find them for sale and these trucks aren't as abundant in the pick n pull yards as you would think.

I think all of those things are a waste also. I've already had my camera module behind my dash replaced and my driver's door lock module was replaced after my door lock quit working any way but with the key in the door. Feel sorry for the people with the button on the door handle only. I had the "trailer disconnected", "trailer brake fault" warnings on my last truck and dielectric grease in the plugs under the bed fixed that until I sold it. Ford has a weak track record when it comes to electronics.

 

Yeah I am really glad mine came with the flip key that is required for ignition. Makes getting chipped key only replacement possible. not having a key hole for back up is a douche money saving move.

 

One of many dumb money saving ideas like throwing in batteries and shocks that are garaunteed to need replacing under warranty on every truck produced if the owners tried.

 

I have 43000 miles on my 2020 and the shocks are the same as when new. As I said it still rides very stiff, hard. Someone said I’m old so I should go spend thousands for a normal riding truck when not towing the 5th wheel. 😂😂😂. If I bought another vehicle to go to the grocery store LOL. I’d trade this thing and get a RAM like I’ve rode
in, both a 2500 and 3500 that are quite capable of towing the same trailer and ride far better than this Fz4 Ford. Sorry if I twisted some of you guys tails complaining about the ride of this Ford, but everyone that rides in it say the same thing. Don’t misunderstand me, I like the truck, the engine (7.3) and 10 speed are awesome but the ride sucks, sorry. I will add I drove semi for 15 yrs so I know about hard rides…Oh, I ‘m running 55 Psi in the tires and ignore the stupid low pressure alert.
I was simply asking if there’s much differance in the Fx4 and 4X4 package, I guess not which proves to me what I forgot when I went back to Ford…….the ride sucks. Damned if I.m spending a grand or more for shocks for a LITTLE better ride. If I try differant shocke it will be standard,stock 4X4 ford shocks. Maybe they are the same as some of you claim but the part numbers are differant. Thanks for all of your help!

 

"IMO", There is very little difference if any of the two different model shock types. They have been that way for years. Same scenarios for both my 06' SD and my current 22'. The typical FX4 package use the moniker Rancho "branded" or "off-road" shock meaning only that they are white with a red poly boot instead of a case. Hence different p/n's.

Many people don't (or can't) properly define "ride quality" as likeness varies greatly. For me, I will take ride "stability" over "comfort". Changing to a set of Bilsteins from the oem "FOR ME" made the ride slightly stiffer but with considerably more "control". Hit a good sized pot hole at 70 on the highway with the oem vs the Bilstein and you'll choose the Bilstein all day long. But, maybe you drive on perfect roads, I don't but regardless, a set should cost you ~$400 so quite a bit from 1000 bucks.

 

If I drove on perfect roads I wouldn't care if the truck was stiff. I guess part of my problem is I have ridden in a friends 21 Chevy 2500 HD and another Ram 3500 and both trucks have similar (Chevy) and higher (RAM) pay load and ride much more comfortable.

 

comparing apples to oranges. The ford has a straight axle where the other brands have IFS. Of course the other brands would ride smoother than the ford

 

RAM is solid axle too.

 

I didn’t like the ride of my 10000 lbs GVWR SD. So I got larger diameter tires (295/70/18), run the front at 50 and the rear at 45 and install Rancho RS7MT mono tube shocks. It doesn’t ride as nice as a IFS rig but it helped.

 

Today is a great day. I actually learned something. I didn't know the ram was a straight axle. I honestly didn't believe you, so before I put my foot in my mouth i looked it up and show enough you were correct.

 

However, did the Ram have the factory AIR ride?

OP seems to find the factory ride/setup unsatisfactory, which is a totally subjective judgement, but is unwilling to spend any money to improve it, even though there are a plethora of options. So, what's the point of this thread?

This thread is all opinion based and options to correct are discounted as costing money.... I'm confused....

 

Weird; I currently own one Ram 2500 and three Ram 3500's as well as my two Superdutys and I've not found the Fords to ride any worse than the Rams. I have noticed that tire brand/type/pressure can make a difference as do shocks. I have also found that wheelbase matters and the longer trucks ride better; my F350 CC, LB has the 176" wheelbase, I imagine a shorter truck would have a harsher ride.

Dave