I really like the looks and safety features of the newer ford f150s. With that said im not crazy about the engine. My first concern with a truck is it has to have a 5 star safety rating.

I am looking for an offroad machine that I can drive on the highways the other days.

What does the FX4 package do? Locking front and rear?

Whats the actual high gas mileage of the f150?

I love the ram hemi for fun to drive and power but hate the safety rating. Looks like I might have to go with a ford.

The dodge and chevy have horrible side crash ratings.

This is sad that dodge did this bad.
YouTube - 2005 Dodge Ram 2500 HD EuroNCAP-Style Pole Impact

 

You need to look at the Raptor. The 2011 truck are up on the Ford site. New engines and lots of new combinations. As far as lockers, it only available on the rear.

Ford - Cars, SUVs, Trucks & Crossovers | Ford Vehicles | The Official Site of Ford Vehicles | FordVehicles.com

 

MPG depends on the engine, body configuration, rear end, options, etc.

A 4x4 S. Crew with 3.73 LS is EPA hwy 18. You can look at real world MPGs at Browse All Ford F-150s | Fuelly.

The FX4 is meant to be a mild off-road truck. It has an electronic locking rear end (as well as 4x4).

What's wrong the engine? Not big enough? If so, wait until you can order the 6.2L in the Lariat Limited or KR. Of course, your MPG will be lower.

 

The 5.4 is a great motor in the 09/10 trucks, the newer engines have yet to be proven, but are very nice. the safety systems on the newer trucks were a big factor in my decision as well. The now dated 5.4/4.6 also have state of the art fuel management on par with their safety systems - over and above the "other" makers. The 09/10 trucks are very well engineered and I think you will be impressed with their motors. The press seems to give the Fords strikes against their motors for "power" deficits, but the other makers have peaky/punchy power. The ford may not have the quantity of the others, but is by far the quality of power of the ford that sets it apart. They are very "flexible" motors with flat torque and coupled with the 6speed trans, makes a very nice driving truck.

 

look up fordtrucks on youtube and watch the 2009 comparisons of ford, chevy, dodge, and toyota. Very informative and you'll never second guess buying a ford again.

The fx4 package over the XLT gives you the following (to the best of my knowledge):

Interior - center console shift among other things.
Skid plate
Extra leaf spring
different shocks
Locking rear

The raptor is going to be your true offroad vehicle with a bigger engine.

Since you'll be using this for normal driving aswell as offroad, you may want to stick with the FX4 and perhaps the XLT as you can get an add a leaf kit, shocks, and skid plate for cheaper than the package will cost you. That is if you don't care about the interior.

You'll get better gas mileage on the days you're not offroading and you'll still have the capability to do your offroading. A bigger engine in offroading isn't always the best. You're not going 60mph on a trail. A 5.4l is going to be plenty to do any offroading you'll be doing and you'll save cash at the pump.

My 5.4l will get over 23 mpg on the highway even though the sticker says 18. Also I have a 36 gallon fuel tank which I love. I think the raptor comes standard with a 36 gallon tank if I read the option sheet correctly.

Personally I think you'll be much happier buying the 5.4l XLT and buying extra parts with the couple grand you'll save over the FX4. But if you like the interior of the FX4 and don't want to do a lot of extra mods as soon as you buy the truck, go with the FX4. You won't regret it and that locking rear will help you a lot.

 

sitting here thinking about it ... does the fx4 give you a locking rear or is that only the raptor?

EDIT: Sure does ...

FX4
AVAILABILITY
CAB:
SuperCab  SuperCrew
ENGINE:
5.4L 3-valve V8 FFV
DRIVETRAIN:
4x4
STANDARD EQUIPMENT
Includes all XLT features, plus:
 MECHANICAL: Electronic Shift-On-the-Fly
(ESOF); electronic-locking rear axle; skid
plates — 2 steel (front crossmember and
transfer case), 1 composite (fuel tank);
Trailer Tow Package
 EXTERIOR: FX4 OFF-ROAD decals; body-color
front and rear step bumpers; black bar-style
grille with body-color surround; fog lamps;
Sterling Grey wheel-lip moldings; SecuriCode
keyless-entry keypad; 18" machined castaluminum
wheels
 INTERIOR: Sport cloth front bucket seats with
flow-through console and floor shifter; driver
and right-front-passenger manual lumbar; 6-way
power driver seat; SIRIUS Satellite Radio; Black
leather-wrapped steering wheel; Black rubber
off-road floor mats; rear-window defroster

 

FX4 does have a locker, but from my knowledge it is only locked in 4x4LOW.

 

Spec sheets for 2010 f150

http://www.fordvehicles.com/services...235E111A23.pdf

 

FX4 is the only truck with a rear locker except the raptor. It can be locked anytime in 4WD - high or low.

 

I know in the Raptor the rear locker can be locked in 2wd or 4wd. The FX4 does not have that capability, it can only be locked while in 4wd.

If offroading capability is your highest priority, the Raptor is your best bet. It's suspension system is completely different from any other F150 (or stock truck from any other manufacturer, for that matter). It has long travel suspension calibrated for fast offroad travel, and it's the only pickup where the manufacturer encourages you to jump and drive fast. It is also designed wider than the normal F150, about seven inches if I remember. Comes standard with 35" tires as well as a plethora of other features that help with offroad adventures. Previously only available in supercab/5.5' bed configuration with the 5.4L, it is now available in either supercab or super crew, and comes standard with the 6.2L V8. However, because of the super soft suspension, it's tow rating is lower.

The FX4 is a mild offroad package but can have a respectable tow rating when equipped right. Different shocks, but stock height/width and is available in more cab/bed configurations than the Raptor. You can't get the 6.2L in the FX4, but the 2010's came standard with the 5.4L and the 2011's will be available with a standard 5.0L V8 and an optional 3.5L twin turbo V6. You can get a max tow package with the FX4 (I think you can with the Raptor too, but tow rating will still be low). If you are looking for a truck with offroad capability and have the ability to tow a decent amount, the FX4 will work great.

Honestly, the FX4 is more than capable of the offroading that 99% of customers will do (which is mild dirt roads a few times a year, if that). For the other 1%, the Raptor is a fine choice.

 

The 2011's will offer the rear e-locker as an option on all models. Thing is that it is an open differential when not engaged (vs limited slip). Though with traction control, it hasn't really been an issue with me over the past year.

 

If one were to compare the Dodge Power Wagon to anything that Ford builds right now, it would be a tough debate and difficult sell for a person looking for the equipment that comes on the PW. That truck is a beast!

Ford doesn't offer a factory winch, a front locker and all that ground clearance on a HD truck.

Likewise, Dodge doesn't have a true offroader such as the Raptor, 4 gas engines, 10 trim levels or the overall build quality that Ford has promised on and consistently delivers.

For an everyday high quality truck that will perform very capably off road and give you the highway manners that most people want, the FX4 is the obvious choice in my book.

Everything that Dodge offers on the PW can be adapted to any Ford truck.

 

That's not the current Dodge, you likely didn't look at the current Chevy either. Check out the 2003 F150 crash tests if you want to scare yourself some more. All old vehicles are unsafe, the new ones are all much safer. Check out vids of a current compact hitting a piece of good ol' american muscle...no one would survive in the latter.

To make clear, while the FX4/Z71/TRD packages are nice and I'm a sucker for ordering them, they are only really skid plates and stickers (locking rear usually come with tow pkg already) and will NOT turn your long pickup into a credible off-roader. All 4x4 trucks will cover most people's ideas of "off roading" but if you're serious they just won't do.

As mentioned, for sure your best option is either the 2010 Dodge 2500 Power Wagon or the 2010 F150 Raptor. To retrofit a truck to these capabilities would invalidate your warranty and cost more than to just buy one of these two play beasts from the factory.

The PW is better at hauling people and trailers and will go further on ultra rocky terrain. The Raptor will do far better in the sand dunes or traveling quickly off road and is more fun on road. You pays you money you takes your choice...

 

power wagon is a beast for sure. It is my only choice outside the ford line up. As for off road, My 09 FX4 is limited. When I say that, the first problem is the tire. I have the 20" wheels and the Pirellis are sorry for traction off road in spite of their all-terrain rating. The second thing is my supercab, 6.5 bed is long and worst of all - heavy. It would not move in 6" of snow last winter regardless of diff lock/4x4. I was disappointed to say the least that my new truck would not move at all in the snow.

 

If one is semi-serious about making their stock factory truck more capable offroad, a better set of tires are definitely in order.

You complained about your truck being heavy though. I prefer heavier trucks over light trucks when offroading. They are more sure and stable, especially in snow. Lighter trucks are prone to sliding easily and losing traction. I think your culprit is the tires.