FX4 & 20" wheels - does one require the other?

[Samiam]

Hello. This is my first post here, so please be gentle. I have been driving a 2004 F250 XL manual trans 4x4 CC w/ 6.8 & that I bought new, and my wife's cast-off 2007 4Runner when I don't need a pickup bed. Both vehicles have begun to develop issues, and I plan to replace them with a single vehicle. My first choice was a recent model used Tacoma or Tundra, but when I tried to research the history of the frame rot problem, I found more lingering questions than answers, so I changed my target to a recent (2022 - 24) F-150 4x4 with Ford Gold certification. I have been price shopping Auto Trader and some area Ford dealer web sites. It looks like I should be able to get a truck with 20-30k miles for $35,000 or a bit less, which is my approximate budget. But I am having difficulty understanding some of the option packages, and the relationships between them. I am looking at one 2022 that has the FX4 off-road and the STX appearance packages, with 20" wheels. I've never had a vehicle with >17" wheels, and I'm not sure what the trade-offs in ride comfort and replacement tire cost would be. I have found other comparable F-150s with 17" wheels, but none have the FX4 package. Are 20" wheels a mandatory part of the FX4 package? We have some off-grid land in Virginia Hill and Valley country with an extremely steep dirt and rock driveway, and I'm thinking that Rock Crawler mode and some of the other mode options that come with FX4 might offer a real advantage there. Any advice, comments, or other thoughts? Thanks in advance.

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[Kidder]

I had a 22 Lariat with FX4 and 18" wheels. I ordered it that way. FYI. I never drove one with 20s.

 

[oncechance]

I have a 2022 FX4 with 20" wheels. I may be wrong but 20" wheels are standard with max tow.

 

[Griffalo]

My 2024 XLT with FX4 package has 18" wheels and I pulled it from the lot. It also has the max tow package on it, so not sure what other criteria puts what size wheels with what package. My truck also has the Black Appearance Package, not the BAP Plus package which I believe has the 20" wheels on them.

 

[oncechance]

I also have the sport appearance package. Maybe this is why 20". Not sure but have no issues with them.

 

[Chris GTO TT]

Depending on the year you could get 18s or 20s with the FX4 package. Many of the 21-23 trucks were built with the option packages that included or required. The 20s come with slightly taller tires than the 17 or 18 wheels, but obviously that's easily solved aftermarket if you're so inclined. Replacement cost is kind of a wash anymore in 17, 18, and 20 wheels.

 

[aridzonaf150]

21's have a few more features standard than 22 and 23 models, they ran into supply issues and cut stuff out of those 22/23's before bringing them back for 24. You can still get a certified 21, so I wouldn't rule those out. I bought a 21 earlier this year and very happy I did.

Can't help on the FX4 questions, but FWIW that the "rock crawl" mode can be enabled in FORSCAN, and hill descent control can also be added very easily (change the button and add one wire). The rest of the FX4 stuff is basically wheels/tires which are easy to find as stock take-offs, and I think they had skid plates which can be obtained very cheaply. They had different shocks too but those don't really offer any major advantage off road, they are stiffer but that isn't always a good thing when actually driving off road. Most serious, dedicated off roaders are built to have slightly softer suspension, not firmer...

So I wouldn't limit yourself to an FX4, I can pretty much guarantee you a normal 4x4 will get the job done just as well and if you find yourself wanting any of the FX4 stuff it's easy to add. Rock crawl mode is kind of a joke anyways as it only works below 15mph and if you are going that slow you can probably enable the normal front/parking camera anyways it just won't have the "wheel path" graphics.

A higher trim 4x4 is better than a lower trim FX4 imo. Or take the money you'd save not buying an FX4 to buy nicer tires, a nicer skidplate, etc and end up better than an FX4.

 

[Buyer2021]

Are 20" wheels a mandatory part of the FX4 package?

Just FYI / FWIW, attached are some random order guides for 2021-2024. With these you can see the possible configurations. A quick scan suggests that your best shot at FX4 with 18" wheels is in the XLT trim level, 17" with FX4 on XL / XLT.

IMO the main tradeoffs of 20" wheels are reduced sidewall height (less desirable for sharp-rock off-roading) and generally more expensive tire choices. I won't have 'em, I like 18" myself.

Finding a truck with a configuration you want is, of course, a different matter.

Hope that helps, Good Luck!

 

[Kidder]

I have a 2022 FX4 with 20" wheels. I may be wrong but 20" wheels are standard with max tow.

My 22 Lariat 502A had Max Tow and sport appearance and it had 18s.

 

[oncechance]

My 22 Lariat 502A had Max Tow and sport appearance and it had 18s.

I'm just guessing....

 

[Samiam]

Thanks for the informative answers. Seems like there isn't any serious downside to the 20" wheels. Re enabling rock crawl and other extra drive modes in FORSCAN for non-FX4 trucks, has anyone experienced negative impact on Gold Certified warranty coverage? Also, regarding the FX4 skid plates, I saw opinions in other threads that they weren't all that great. What is the recommendation for other Ford model (Tremor?) or aftermarket plates, and what (if any) impact would more robust plates have on cooling or the ability to thoroughly flush the undercarriage? I can start another thread for those questions if advisable.

 

[oncechance]

There is a thread on skid plates and someone may be able to post link. I did this mod and no ill effects. You may want to remove before tranny service. I have trust issues with dealerships.

 

[thiggins]

My 24 fx4 has 18" wheels. If you do any off road or rock stuff at all, it seems crazy to get any larger wheels. That would be asking for damage, to wheels and/or side walls. If it's mostly street and towing, 20's are cool.

 

[TomKat]

Hello. This is my first post here, so please be gentle. I have been driving a 2004 F250 XL manual trans 4x4 CC w/ 6.8 & that I bought new, and my wife's cast-off 2007 4Runner when I don't need a pickup bed. Both vehicles have begun to develop issues, and I plan to replace them with a single vehicle. My first choice was a recent model used Tacoma or Tundra, but when I tried to research the history of the frame rot problem, I found more lingering questions than answers, so I changed my target to a recent (2022 - 24) F-150 4x4 with Ford Gold certification. I have been price shopping Auto Trader and some area Ford dealer web sites. It looks like I should be able to get a truck with 20-30k miles for $35,000 or a bit less, which is my approximate budget. But I am having difficulty understanding some of the option packages, and the relationships between them. I am looking at one 2022 that has the FX4 off-road and the STX appearance packages, with 20" wheels. I've never had a vehicle with >17" wheels, and I'm not sure what the trade-offs in ride comfort and replacement tire cost would be. I have found other comparable F-150s with 17" wheels, but none have the FX4 package. Are 20" wheels a mandatory part of the FX4 package? We have some off-grid land in Virginia Hill and Valley country with an extremely steep dirt and rock driveway, and I'm thinking that Rock Crawler mode and some of the other mode options that come with FX4 might offer a real advantage there. Any advice, comments, or other thoughts? Thanks in advance.

I have a 25 stx with the black appearance package. It has 20" wheels. Rides like a dream. You could always get aftermarket wheels if you want 18s. It's a look thing more than anything. You probably won't notice much difference in ride. As far as tire costs go, they are pretty similar in price. I have since lifted mine and put 35's on it. Still rides pretty good for ha ing 12ply wild peaks on it. Milage did suffer but I expected that. Stock wheels I got 20.5 at 80 mph

 

[Billflangjr]

Hello. This is my first post here, so please be gentle. I have been driving a 2004 F250 XL manual trans 4x4 CC w/ 6.8 & that I bought new, and my wife's cast-off 2007 4Runner when I don't need a pickup bed. Both vehicles have begun to develop issues, and I plan to replace them with a single vehicle. My first choice was a recent model used Tacoma or Tundra, but when I tried to research the history of the frame rot problem, I found more lingering questions than answers, so I changed my target to a recent (2022 - 24) F-150 4x4 with Ford Gold certification. I have been price shopping Auto Trader and some area Ford dealer web sites. It looks like I should be able to get a truck with 20-30k miles for $35,000 or a bit less, which is my approximate budget. But I am having difficulty understanding some of the option packages, and the relationships between them. I am looking at one 2022 that has the FX4 off-road and the STX appearance packages, with 20" wheels. I've never had a vehicle with >17" wheels, and I'm not sure what the trade-offs in ride comfort and replacement tire cost would be. I have found other comparable F-150s with 17" wheels, but none have the FX4 package. Are 20" wheels a mandatory part of the FX4 package? We have some off-grid land in Virginia Hill and Valley country with an extremely steep dirt and rock driveway, and I'm thinking that Rock Crawler mode and some of the other mode options that come with FX4 might offer a real advantage there. Any advice, comments, or other thoughts? Thanks in advance.

I have a 24 Loaded Tremor , I have ran 17",18" and 20" on it they all work great . It's said 20 are no good for off road. That's Bull they work Great for me. I'm off road 70 percent of the time, and running 20's !1 Hope that helps ! Bill

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