For what you're describing, skip the FX4 and just buy shocks.

You "want to handle really well on the highway". Usually when people say they want good handling they're talking about spirited driving, confidence in corners at higher speeds, that kind of thing. If that is what you mean then go with Bilstein shocks.

If you mean comfort, then go for the Fox 2.0 shocks. Or if you want basically the same as the Fox 2.0 without the cost, Rancho RS7MT.

I would still get the electronic locker, just my opinion.

 

yeah I think you have a good point since they're easy to install just see what the factory one due and you can swap them out on as needed basis. That would certainly give me knowledge on what the difference is once I switch. And yeah looking at the four build site you can get the 3.31 with electric locking differential.

JC

 

I see the value in at least trying to stock ones and see how they do that way you know what your graduating up to when you get upgraded ones

JC

 

I'll definitely get the e-locker probably with a 3.31. But to have a good ride you can't consider the whole package without talking tires and suspension so I'm actually looking at both. Starting out I'll probably go with the Michelin Defender LTX MS2 or the Michelin Defender Platinum. The shocks would need to compliment one of those tires. I'm not looking to do anything but light off-roading occasionally.
JC

 

Skip the FX4 package. It has been a waste of money for a long time now. Ford keeps it around as a “sucker charge” for those who think it actually means something.
The shocks that come on the FX4 are the same stock junk the rest of the trucks get. Skidplates? Ha! Like you’re gonna be taking that expensive truck anywhere remotely ‘rugged’. They are just sheet metal anyways.
Run whatever tires it comes with until worn out, then upgrade. Hey, that’s a ‘free’ 40k miles

 

Those are good tires.

I emphasized your use of the word "handling" because Bilsteins and Fox 2.0/Rancho RS7MT are very different shocks. Bilsteins are digressive, they're at their firmest when they aren't moving but have a less than 1:1 ratio of increasing resistance to motion with speed of motion. The Fox and RS7MT are linear shocks. With a linear shock how much they resist motion is proportional 1:1 with how fast you try to move them. Double the bounce speed, you get double the resistance. With a Bilstein when you double the speed you get less than double the resistance. You might think this makes a Bilstein softer, and it does, but only when you're working the shocks quickly. That doesn't happen with light off-roading. To make up for the digressive valving so you don't bottom out too readily Bilsteins start out pretty firm. They're not going to improve the ride from a soaking up the small stuff perspective, but they will improve the ride from a less body roll hitting this on-ramp perspective.

The Fox and RS7MT are linear so they start softer but in the bigger jounces they're going to dampen harder. So more plushness/softer on the street while still ramping up so you don't bottom out too readily. However if you're a spirited driver you'll get more body roll around the corners.

They're all good shocks, but how they work and feel are pretty different. I wouldn't think of shocks as complimenting tires necessarily, it's more about what response you prefer. When you've gone from shocks you didn't like to ones that you did, why did you like them? Was it that they were taking more of the hits so that your butt and back were taking less, or is that they were providing greater feedback?

 

Pretty heavy grade sheet metal. You might want to check under your truck. The fuel tank hangs down a bit. And drags on any crest or break over.

Yes, I have more off road time than 99% of Wrangler owwners. # Farm and wilderness life.

Mine has plenty of rubs. You wont find cheap skid plates online. All trucks should have proper skids and component location. Few really do. Fx4 is a must have item for those skids.

 

Im not sure thats exactly how it works.

The Fox 2.0's have a shim stack. Oil flows though holes that the shims uncover as shock speed increases. As shock speed increases, damping increases too much, the shims open to soften the shock up a bit. All monotube shocks stiffen up on big hits.

Add a shim to slow down high speed damping. My next set will have added compression shims up front.

 

Yeah, I had the skid plates on my 2018 and skipped them on my ‘24 (no longer a $100 stand alone option)

Hardly anyone, especially the OP, is going to be wheeling his $80k+ truck hard enough to need them.

 

on the other hand, trying so hard to save 600 dollars on an 80k PSD F350 that’s used to occasionally tow 6k on short trips on flat terrain is a interesting way to save money.

 

If I actually needed skid plates I would still skip the FX4 package and buy aftermarket. Why spend anything on bare minimum that you will still spend more on later to upgrade. Just buy aftermarket to begin with and be set. It’s actually cheaper this way.

 

How much is fx4 now?

Aftermarket tank skid is $480.

 

Not checking one box on the order form is not my definition of “trying so hard”

Besides, rich people are usually the most frugal

But yeah, seems kinda funny anyways.

 

This question of FX4 or not comes up a lot here so it seems a lot of people do spend some time mulling over it. Perhaps "trying hard" is subjective but this whole thread was created to debate the merit of the package on a KR PSD.

 

Yes, that "increasing too much" if it weren't corrected for would make them progressive. What you're describing is how Fox keeps the response linear.

It isn't perfectly linear of course but that's the category they slot in to out of the box.

You can change Fox's setup like you describe since they're rebuildable. I've never rebuilt one myself though. I've done a few Penske and JRi a long time ago, and a ton of motorcycle forks.