Fx4 vs 4x4?

[Savannah Power]

I have a 2021 Powerboost with the max trailer package and FX4. The truck wallows when crossing unlevel surfaces, not a good thing. I had read the fronts are actually softer on the FX4 to improve articulation. I understand the truck is heavier, but the body motions are excessive and uncomfortable. My 2013 Ecoboost 4X4 doesn't do this at all.

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[hammerhead2411]

Ford Suspension Engineers,

The Ford F-150 "Fx4 package" needs work.
I had a 2014 FX4 Hi model. (VISIBLY, the 2014 fx4 had "Off road" tires and the front end noticeably sat higher (more level) and persons commented on the trucks "stance") see pic

Now, my $70k 2021 Lariat 502Hi. has the "FX4 package."
Compare my fx4 to any other 2021 F-150 LOOK at IT! Does it "look" any different? HELL NO. (Fx4 stickers actually look weird on this "normal" looking truck)

Tires:
I got the same Hankook tires any other NON FX4 truck would get. (Ford PLEASE Upgrade the tires) These tires have a pathetic 8.5" Tread Width and boring looks. I know Ford wanted rolling Resistance blah blah blah. But this is NOT the TIRE for an FX4 "off road" package.

Suspension/Level:
I got the same "Rake" as all the others. the truck sits 3+ Inches LOWER in the front!!! (Ford please LIFT THE FRONT END, I look like grandpa)

Shocks: No comment

Skid Plates: Thanks

Rock/Crawl: Thanks

Locking REAR Diff: Thanks

Hill descent: Thanks

Chevy Advertises a "trail Boss" Truck, they brag about a 2" Level, Off Road Tires, Rancho Shocks.
I don't want a 5.5ft Bed Tremor, I don't want a Raptor. I just want something a lil more than the "normal" F-150.
Ford could do the same bad@ss media ad as Chevy and say,
"The Ford FX4 package is available on all F-150 models, see your dealer for details"

Ford, my comments ring true with many other customers. WAKE UP! please.

Standard Tires installed on 2021 FX4 packaged trucks.

I agree, not going to get a short bed tremor. I will say, if you wanted more aggressive tires from the factory the 18" wheels would've a least given you the Wranglers. Not that the wranglers are anything to write home about. 20's aren't really a good offroad option to begin with. Go get a 2" lift and some all terrains and you'll be happy.

 

[Billy231]

I have a 21 Lariat Powerstroke 4x4, (non-FX4 package) with a shortbed with the 18" wheels with Wranglers. Honestly, at highway speeds it is a nice change coming from a 99 Superduty 7.3. Although, when driving the truck leans big time in turns and basically rides like an old cadillac with old shocks at speeds, floating around.
I wanted to rid myself of the Wranglers and go with a 33" tire that suited my needs. I was able to work a deal with a member to buy his Tremor wheels/tire set up and then the take off suspension was included so I decided to try it out. I swapped out to the Tremor front spring/strut and rear shock combo with basically no mileage on, got my alignment done and the truck now has a much better ride then the base suspension. I gained close to 1" in height/travel in the fronts and then added the wheels/tires and am now happy with the overall ride, and overall it appears to be just under 1.50" in height. The Tremor suspension on the Lariat, for me seemed to tame much of the leaning in corners and removed much of the bounce with a more sporty feel. The way the truck should be as stock. Being from NY, the more sidewall the better lately with all the craters hidden on our roads. I have yet to drive a truck with a Bilstein or Fox style suspension to get that feel but for what I have put into this, its much cheaper way to go. Is it a drastic difference, no but it is noticeable and the comfort of the ride was not sacrificed, nor has mileage.
I sold my OEM Lariat wheels/tires at a good price so the upgrade costs were very minimal.
Was also able to locate another member with new in the box RCI full skid plate kit at a discounted price which gives me the peace of mind to protect plastic components underneath from road debris.
So, basically I have a Tremor looking Lariat with a Diesel getting 25+mpg highway with 3.55 locker, and all the other goodies. Content for now..

 

[ATLalien]

2nd the experience of a 1970s Caddy ride. I actually really liked it as it gave a really good ride off-road as well as on. Didn't really buy this vehicle as a "canyon carver", so didn't mind the roll on-road.

That was all before installing a 2" readylift level on the front. Now a completely different vehicle, very firm, less than half the roll of before. But, firm off-road too and you feel most of the bumps. Expected this as it's the standard trade off when leveling with the hockey pucks, but it's more drastic than I would have guessed.

 

[SteveP150]

I will say, if you wanted more aggressive tires from the factory the 18" wheels would've a least given you the Wranglers. Not that the wranglers are anything to write home about. 20's aren't really a good offroad option to begin with.

This ^^^. But it's not specifically an FX4 issue. If you're doing much serious offroading, you want more sidewall, not less. So 18 instead of 20.
And very few trucks or SUVs come with good AT tires from the factory. First thing I did with mine was switch to Falkens. But it's not just a Ford issue. My prior 4Runners came with crummy tires from the factory as well.

 

[MonsterTrucker75]

I took those floor mats out as soon as I got the truck home. I can't stand how they don't cover under the gas pedal. I do like the F-150 on them, but that's it. I have Husky x-act contour ones. If they Fx4 ones are so good, maybe someone on here will want to buy them from me?

*Note: I love the material the ford ones are made out of (similar to the husky ones), but I can't stand that the drivers doesn't cover under the gas and that the rear seat doesn't cover as much as the husky ones. I tried to sell my '17 ones, but no one would buy them. I ended up giving them to my Son-in-law as his '17 didn't come with them.

I took those floor mats out as soon as I got the truck home. I can't stand how they don't cover under the gas pedal. I do like the F-150 on them, but that's it. I have Husky x-act contour ones. If they Fx4 ones are so good, maybe someone on here will want to buy them from me?

*Note: I love the material the ford ones are made out of (similar to the husky ones), but I can't stand that the drivers doesn't cover under the gas and that the rear seat doesn't cover as much as the husky ones. I tried to sell my '17 ones, but no one would buy them. I ended up giving them to my Son-in-law as his '17 didn't come with them.

Does your ride have the fold down compartment under the rear seats by chance? I'm trying to get a picture of the rear Husky liners to compare to mine. The picture that Husky advertises does not look like what I received.

 

[FrankThompson]

Does your ride have the fold down compartment under the rear seats by chance? I'm trying to get a picture of the rear Husky liners to compare to mine. The picture that Husky advertises does not look like what I received.

Mine does not. I have the floor mat that goes from the front seats all the way back to the little storage behind the back seats (not the fold down storage. I don't have that option).

If you need a pic I can try and grab one for you today.

 

[MontanaFred]

I think FX4 is worth it. Many of the features have already been covered. Isn't this the only way to get the larger gas tank too? I might be wrong on that. Living in Montana, I use this truck like a tool up and down every nasty mountain road and then some. I am going to take my $70k King Ranch with FX4 and use every feature it offers. Sounds like the majority of folks commenting here don't take their trucks too far off the pavement, therefore no real need for off road adds.

I was concerned with getting crappy tires from Ford. My salesman doesn't even know what is standard on a KR with FX4. So I negotiate in my deal to swap out whatever the truck comes with and they'll replace with Wrangler Good Year Duratrac. By far the best mud and snow tires I have used to date.

 

[oncechance]

I couldn't justify the extra $1k on my build. Rock crawl and hill descent can be added with a factory switch (assuming you can get it) and forscan mods. I don't see myself adding these to my daily driver, other than for the personal satisfaction of doing so.

The "skid plates" are pretty low quality, especially when compared to actual parts available aftermarket.

They are paper plates.

 

[MonsterTrucker75]

Mine does not. I have the floor mat that goes from the front seats all the way back to the little storage behind the back seats (not the fold down storage. I don't have that option).

If you need a pic I can try and grab one for you today.

Thanks! Much appreciated. I’m actually looking for a picture of the rear mat with the fold down storage because the seller I purchased it from had pics that contained a different design than what I received. The design is not a whole lot different but there are a few details off. Husky, also has the same pic published the seller did for my truck, and they claim the product number should be the same as what I’ve received. However, I’m unsure as to why they would publish something that is not identical to what the consumer receives.

The first pic is what I received and the second pic with the design in the center is what they’ve published. Just trying to figure out if any owner has the design that I did not receive for comparison.

 

[SilverPigeon]

If one will not do more than beginner-level four wheel driving, then FX4 May do just fine.​

otherwise FX4 is a waste of money which is better spent on improvements for serious four wheel driving.​

The aftermarket options for wheels, tyres, skid plates, shocks, etc have already been addressed; I'd like to cover why rock crawl and hill descent are a waste of money as well:​

​

If one is to tackle serious terrain where either might be used, then it is easy for the truck to get out of control, mainly due to over-confidence these systems give. Better to spend money on training to know when one should lock the truck into 4L and manual mode 1st gear, and how to exercise proper throttle control, especially in the case of rock crawling.​

​

For steep hill descents in particular, hill descent control relies on the driver setting a suitable speed which is dangerous from the ability to lose control when coming upon obstacles or conditions which need to be negotiated at a slower speed than the driver had set. Again, 4L and manual 1st gear are appropriate for "crawling" down a hill, with the advantage that no throttle input will have the truck go down as slow as possible when combined with engine braking. For a four wheel drive truck, it's one of the best reasons why the 10R80 doesn't perform up shifts in manual mode.​

 

[Atlee]

For me personally, I put FX4 on every truck I buy.

First and foremost this is a boost to resale if only marginally. I worked in sales for Ford for years and most people want it!! Trust me!!

I also will never own a truck without a rear locker, which in Canada costs $400 to add as an option.

With the FX4 Package costing $950, after the electronic locking dif, I need to get $550 more value for this to make sense.

Noone has mentioned yet that FX4 also gets you the upgraded AT tires which to me is worth $500 alone.

Add the rock crawl mode, Hill Decent Control,the sticker and the value is there without even factoring in the upgraded shocks, or skid plates.

If you dont want/need a locking dif maybe you can forgo this option, But if youre gonna add the locking dif, FX4 is a NO BRAINER!!!!

Unless you are getting a Power Boost of course. E-Locker comes standard on them.

 

[somecatchyphrase]

If one will not do more than beginner-level four wheel driving, then FX4 May do just fine.​

otherwise FX4 is a waste of money which is better spent on improvements for serious four wheel driving.​

The aftermarket options for wheels, tyres, skid plates, shocks, etc have already been addressed; I'd like to cover why rock crawl and hill descent are a waste of money as well:​

​

If one is to tackle serious terrain where either might be used, then it is easy for the truck to get out of control, mainly due to over-confidence these systems give. Better to spend money on training to know when one should lock the truck into 4L and manual mode 1st gear, and how to exercise proper throttle control, especially in the case of rock crawling.​

​

For steep hill descents in particular, hill descent control relies on the driver setting a suitable speed which is dangerous from the ability to lose control when coming upon obstacles or conditions which need to be negotiated at a slower speed than the driver had set. Again, 4L and manual 1st gear are appropriate for "crawling" down a hill, with the advantage that no throttle input will have the truck go down as slow as possible when combined with engine braking. For a four wheel drive truck, it's one of the best reasons why the 10R80 doesn't perform up shifts in manual mode.​

Those are some really good points about the "software" side of FX4. I'm about to place an order myself and am held up by FX4. My packages (HDPP/Max Tow) get me most of the valuable hardware and I am curious if anyone has successfully added hill descent and rock crawl in 22+ non fx4 trucks. It seems there has been great success with earlier model years but I cannot find anything more recent.

If these software options cannot be added to 2023 model f150s via forscan SilverPigeon's comments were just what I needed to hear to be able to forego the FX4 option in good conscious. I would rather develop the skill as a driver than rely on (in my particular build) essentially $1000 for software.

 

[GEN14OWNER]

Those are some really good points about the "software" side of FX4. I'm about to place an order myself and am held up by FX4. My packages (HDPP/Max Tow) get me most of the valuable hardware and I am curious if anyone has successfully added hill descent and rock crawl in 22+ non fx4 trucks. It seems there has been great success with earlier model years but I cannot find anything more recent.

If these software options cannot be added to 2023 model f150s via forscan SilverPigeon's comments were just what I needed to hear to be able to forego the FX4 option in good conscious. I would rather develop the skill as a driver than rely on (in my particular build) essentially $1000 for software.

I’ve been off roading for 40 years, for pleasure and work. Hill Descent like most of the options is a “luxury” but not necessary if you know what you’re doing.

However, traversing a steep, narrow rutted, boulder ridden downhill with Hill Descent and forward cameras make a HUGE difference. Hill Descent gives you the “luxury” of focusing on picking your line. The cameras give you the ability to better see what’s coming. It’s easy to get out of control in this situation and gravity will quickly make you pay the price.

You can use an abacus to do math…

 

[flatag]

One good thing about my FX4 package, I’ve never gotten stuck in the grocery store parking lot!

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