I have a 2018 Lariat (loaded) coming in mid February. I have been advised to try and make a year end vehicle purchase to offset some taxes. I am looking at a 2017 King Ranch with same external color of White Gold. 2017 has a caribou accent and the 2018's have been replaced with Stone Gray accent (two tone). The differences mechanically in the trucks is the one I ordered has the FX4 package with electronic locking differential. The 2018 does not have the FX4 but does have the snow plow prep (which I do not foresee needing). I do like the Java leather seating in the King Ranch over the camel leather in the Lariat.
QUESTIONS: Does the snow plow prep alter the way the truck drives? How important do you see the FX4 off road package if I don't really intend on doing any hardcore off roading?
Trying to decide between the 2017 King Ranch and the 2018 Lariat on order. Thanks in advance.

 

I have a 17 with both the snow plow prep and the FX4. The snow plow prep will give you the stiffest spring rate up front. If you think it’s too stiff you can always change out the springs. It wouldn’t be that expensive. The locking diff is important to me but if you don’t plan on off roading or going through deep snow you’ll probably be fine. Noticed how I said deep snow (on the back roads). An activated rear locker would make you prone to fish tail in snow or ice during normal driving so it’s not going to be used then. You could always add a rear locker too but that would be a little more expensive than trading out the coil springs.

 

Do you think the average person (me) would be able to tell the difference in the ride difference with the different spring rate between the snow plow vs. no snow plow?
Thanks.

 

No, I actually prefer the slightly stiffer plow prep springs as they handle bigger bumps better, slightly stiffer more controlled ride.

Guess it really all depends on the roads in your area, if they are brutal then you might want to skip.

The plow prep springs have the highest ride and make the truck look the best as they ride about a inch higher.

 

Probably not unless you just rode in a truck with the lowest spring rate. It really isn’t that big of a deal to change them out. Maybe $400 for the springs and $150 to $200 labor. I can tell you that the King Ranch leather color is really a lot sharper than the light tan leather. Your gonna love the white gold color too. That’s what I have. The accent color will be nice either way.

 

Thanks for the input!

 

I buy all my trucks with the snow plow prep to get the highest rated springs. It rides fine and gives you more capacity on the front end.


It usually will sit a pinch higher in the front too. Gives a more level looking truck and it will also have a higher output alternator.

 

I have plow prep and FX4. Maybe it is stiff, maybe not. All I ever drive is trucks. I keep the front tires at 80 PSI.

Go with what you want/need. No truck is going to drive like a Cadillac, whatever those drive like.

 

I have the snow plow springs and fx4 long bed
front axle weighs 4900 # rear axle weighs 3440
I run 57 # air pressure on all tires
Ford recommends 60 # on the front / 80 # on the rear
Platinum rides smooth as can be and has correct contact patch
I will increase rear air pressure when payload / trailer weights require it

 

I'd stick with the one you ordered. The electronic locker is priceless. Remember all the neutered Super Duties stuck in the simplest spots with 2 wheels spinning and 2 wheels not? Heavy trucks get stuck easy in anything soft sometimes. I've done the LR, RR, wheel peel more times than I want to admit. I'll never go back to an unlocked rear, and am considering a locker in the front as well. I do no hardcore wheeling. Zero. Just dirt roads, beach, boats, and snow.

I didn't even know you could back out of a custom order.

 

Air your tires down, you are killing your ride for no reason.

 

I have about 5500 mi on my truck now and got to say the ride has softened up quite a bit. I think its a combo of break in of shocks, tires, springs and maybe mostly tires. I have dropped the psi down to 70 all the way around for no-load travel.

Still not convinced that steel in the tires is the best solution when we have other materials that may work as good if not better...

 

I got to say, the ride on my 350, even with the SP package is almost car like. Load it with a trailer, and it is car like.

 

George you have the SP on a F 350, mine is on my F 450. Can tell you for a fact when I first got the truck it would rattle the fillings out of your teeth. Over the past 5500 mi it has improved a LOT. Not knowing all the details I wonder if the SP package on the 350 is same same 450??? Thinking suspension is only front springs and front swaybar??

If so then I can put the blame on the steel tires that you don't have...ya think?

 

You all know this is a 2017 post right ?