Greetings:

I recently discovered this Ford Forum - it's great!

Anyway, I have been smitten by the '04 F-150 and am considering purchasing one but was wondering if any of you that already have one can assist with input on ride quality between the FX4 and Lariat Crewcab.

My current 'truck' is an '03 Sport Trac - XLT Premium - loaded. Great vehicle and I really like it's looks, ride and features.

I am leaning towards the FX4 in silver as I don't really care for any of the light colors (white, arizona beige) on the Lariat.

My Sport Trac has a rather firm ride and I was wondering if the FX4 ride is similar. I talked with a salesman and he indicated the FX4 has a stiffer ride than the Sport Trac. I have read other posts on this forum regarding the 'Lincoln Like' ride of the Lariat. Not sure I want that kind of ride in a truck.

For those that have either an FX4 or Lariat Crew Cab - is the ride that much different between the two and are both equally quiet?

I realize I will have to drive one and decide for myself but I am hoping for some input on ride quality.

Thanks in advance for any comments/input.

Regards -

Mickiemac

 

Mickiemac...I have an FX4 scab w/ 6.5' bed, 3.55 ls diff, and the ride is fantastic! The suspension is tight but not stiff, does a great job of smoothing out the road, exhibits no excessive rebound or washboarding, and is solid in cornering. I can assure you it is not a "Lincoln-like" ride...it's exactly the feel I was looking for. I haven't had a chance for off-road, as it's only been 10 days.

I haven't driven a Lariat, so no comparison can be made, but just want you to know that the FX4 is a great truck. -Don

 

Is it 'Lincoln Like' ride or "Lincoln Log Like"....not sure, but I'll keep my comments for when they finally have a solution for the high speed shuddering many of us are experiencing. Might be a simple fix, but I'm picking my truck up for the 3rd time tomorrow and then said they'll need it again when the "dampening kit" comes in. Otherwise....great truck when I'm parked! Sorry....I'm trying to remain positive as I've always trusted Ford and will keep trying to do so.

 

I have driven both and to tell you the truth, I couldn't tell the difference in the ride. I think that the fx4 will handle a little better off-road due to the shock difference, but you can't go wrong either way. Tough choice--GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

I don't think the ride is that much different, but the FX4 does have a nice off road package. I was hoping they had the same package that came with my 02 Screw as it was a Lariat FX4. This year they created two seperate packages. The only difference on my 02 was the skid plates, shocks, and a fancy sticker. Not sure about this year's model, but it looked similar at the dealer and I didn't notice a ride difference as I was going to buy the FX4 but liked the finish better on the Lariat. I also liked the 18" wheels and grill better on the Lariat as well.

My 2 cents....

 

I agree with wscott10. The only difference is suppose to be the shocks, but nobody I tryed asking can confirm if the shocks are indeed the same since I could not tell a single difference (I have changed many shocks on trucks before). I pondered for 4 months before making my decision on the Lariat. If you built one online for reference with the same stuff, they come out about the same price. You get more options with the Lariat at no extra cost(information center, heated seats-mirrors-turn signal mirrors($600) but have two seating options for leather, leather in split bucket with foldable console or leather with flow through console, climate control, radio controls on the steeringwheel, homelink, 18"wheels standard. FX4 with leather only comes in flowthrough console which sucks if you get a super cab and need to have one more seat up front. Nice to have the option with a Lariat. Build them the same, add skid plates for $160 and you get more for the money and a great offroad truck in the Lariat. Besides, since they dont have Ranchos shocks anymore, who knows whats under there. Your paying for the "image" of the FX4. Lariat is the perfect balance of tough, yet classy especially if your spending $36,000, you gotta have some nice stuff!!

P.S. you gotta get Audiophile option regardless of which truck, It adds the powered Sub to the 6 speakers plus ambiance (IT ROCKS)

 

I bought my '04 Lariat SCab off the lot 2 weeks ago and it now has 1,000 miles on it with no problems. I had to (well I didn't HAVE to but I couldn't resist) do a turn around in one of those emergency deals between the highway lanes the other day and it was MUCH deeper in the middle than I thought. When I hit that ditch in the middle it really jolted the truck and at that point I really wished I had skid plates underneath to protect things. It didn't do anything but make it muddy under there but I thought about what might happen the next time. The last guy wrote that skid plates added to a Lariat are $160? And are they easy for the dealer to install? i.e. short time without my truck? I would think it would just be be a bolt on deal and maybe the holes are already there for it. I dunno, but I love my truck and it doesn't ride like a lincoln. It rides like a great truck!

Also, I have to agree with the guy about the Audiophile It rules!!

 

mickiemac,

We have 3 of the 2004 F150 Screws in the family now. The FX4 now has 12,500 miles, with no problems. Lariat 1 has 3,000 miles with no problems. Lariat 2 is now 2 weeks old 800 miles, and it runs great.

Around our neck of the woods we have all kinds of pavement. Lots of broken and chopped up pavement, been that way for years. And some smooth intrastate as well. On the really bad streets, which is most of the town, that Lariats are a little smoother. The FX4 can get a little rough. Both models ride great on the hi-way at 50,60,70,80, and 90. However, the FX4 does a little better in strong cross winds. The shocks on the FX4 are a good bit stiffer (it's not the springs, they are the same)

All of these trucks are 4x4 with LSD

FX4 has "P" tires
Lariat 1 has "P" tire
Lariat 2 has "LT"

The heavy LT tires produces a ride that is between that of the FX4 and Lariat 1 with the P tires. The LT tires carry 40 psi and the P tires carry 35; that is one of the reasons for the slight ride difference.

One of the problems with both Lariats' is the very crummy AC controls. The Ford AC system overall seems very weak. Throw in the AC electronics of the Lariat, and it simply can not cool in the Texas heat, AND its not summer yet. We are still working on that problem. It is easier to get the FX4 to cool the truck! Add to the fact that Ford does not use "high quality" "solor glass" in the windshield and front side windows adds to the problem. Yes I know it says "solor tint" but it is NOT.

The only real way to tell which one is for you, is to drive them both as many miles as you can on different roads. First take your sport trac on a course you design, say 20 miles. And then drive each of the new pickups the same route to compare.

Good Luck

 

Having traded in a Navigator for the FX4, I can tell you this. The Fx4 rides very well with a little bit of stiffness to it but has a very "grounded" feel to it. The truck is a hell of alot quiter then my Navi was and is a real pleasure to drive!
As far as which one to buy, it all depends on what you are going to use the truck for. If you plan on hauling or towing more, the FX4 will do more then the lariat due to it's 3" rear leaf spring set-up, and if you plan on using a plow, you can not do that with the Lariat.
On the other hand, if you want the truck for a "car" like feel and just to tow the toys around, go with the Lariat.

 

All of the new F150's use a 3" rear leaf spring...



You can't because Ford only recommends plowing with the regular cabs that have the heavy duty cargo package. Lariats don't come in a regular cab.

 

I drove both and there was a slightly stiffer ride with the FX4 and the steering was a little cleaner because of it too. I drive race cars so I could feel those small differences .. most would not. The difference was very small and I ended up buying the Lariat due to it's better interior setup. I don't do any off roading so I don't care about the skid plates, etc on the FX4.

I wouldn't mind slipping some stiffer bump valved shocks on the front though, to chase out wallow at higher speeds.

 

Thanks to all of you for your very informative comments to my ride quality inquiry.

I really do like the interior of the Lariat a bit more than the FX4 so I may go that route. I just have to settle on a color I like. The wedgewood blue is very upscale looking but I've had a dark colored vehicle before and the scratches and swirl marks drove me crazy. A lighter color is easier on my nerves and to maintain.

My Sport Trac also has the Audiophile sound system (Pioneer 6-CD in-dash w/subwoofer) so I will be sure and get this option along with a moonroof and chrome/bright step rails.

Thanks again - happy and safe motoring to all!

Mickiemac

 

Fordguy61,

When you custom order a Lariat, the skid plates only cost $160 from the factory already installed. You can buy them from the dealers parts dept, but they might cost a little more. They should be simple to install yourself. I installed them on my 2002 Eddie Bauer Explorer. Except the gas tank one was tricky and luckly I had a special tool that helped postion the bolt through the holes in order for me to torque them down. The truck should be easy.

 

Blue Monday,

My bad, if you add the tow package to the truck it gives you 3-1/2" rear springs not 3", and heavy duty coilovers up front.

The plow set-up is only avaliable on regular cab AND super cab models. Thats why I didn't go with the screw because of the longer bed and the possibility of adding a plow in the future.

 

According to Fords Website, the tow package gives you the following:

- Class IV Trailer Hitch Receiver
- 7-Pin Wiring Harness
- Heavy-Duty 72 Amp Battery
- Upgraded Radiator and Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler
- Optional Reverse Sensing System

Nothing about different springs here...



The plow set-up requires the Heavy Duty Payload Package and 8' box. It's available only on the XL, and you must have the 8' box. You can get it with a SuperCab, but not the FX4...