FX4 Off road package

[Sojourner]

Can't speak to a Lariat FX4, but I had a 2012 XLT FX4 and it was worth every penny. When I tested a 2023 XLT FX4 I was really disappointed in both the XLT and FX4 packages. XLT seemed like a downgrade from what I had (more like an XL) and the FX4 package was equally disappointing; like it was just a decal at this point. If you want what an XLT FX4 package used to be, you had to go Tremor (it gave me what I had and more).

Sponsored

 

[Ronin1973]

I don't understand any of this. I have driven the regular 4x4 and I now have the FX4. I can tell no difference whatsoever in ride quality. You guys crack me up.

 

[powerboatr]

Not sure about ride
My 13 didn't have the fx4
But all others have.
Not sure what they call it in the expedition, but had skid pates on the kr.
My present kr has it.
It rides pretty nice, compared to the wifes explorer
It also has 20 wheels with soft pirrellis
Fx4 is cheap , but having a skid plate for gas tank is nice, we have lots of road debris here
And I added the raptor, tremor engine plate.
Shocks imo let the front end seem soft on rebound
I also run 35 psi in front and 30 to 32 in rear tires.

 

[PowerBoostSoCal]

I've had several trucks with FX4 package and my current '21 Platinum is NOT an FX4 package. There's no way in hell I would consider my ride "very floaty and soft". Not at all.

IMHO, the FX4 package includes four junk ass dampers (front struts, rear shocks), some cheap skid plates, and stickers on the side of the bed. Not worth it. Far better to upgrade your dampers with REAL ones (e.g., Bilstein or Fox) and swap the stickers yourself.

Again, just my $0.02.

Well, it does get skid plates that are not standard and the vehicle programs for off-road, etc. which I do think work very well in managing snow, mud, etc. I use it a few times a year and can attest it does make a difference.

 

[Scoobtay]

Had a ZR2, and have friends with gen 2 and gen 3 raptors. The regular, non-FX4 trucks are not floaty. Just buy either package, and if you don’t like the suspension after a full year in all seasons, toss something else under there.

 

[skiteton]

I had CCD on my 22 Lariat. I thought it was too floaty and made the truck squirrelly.

I have the FX4 on my 24 Lariat. I prefer this suspension over the CCD. The truck rides as a truck should. It's predictable and comfortable.

 

[roadPilot]

Well, it does get skid plates that are not standard and the vehicle programs for off-road, etc. which I do think work very well in managing snow, mud, etc. I use it a few times a year and can attest it does make a difference.

Skid plates are garbage. And as I said, I've had several FX4 trucks before ... no difference to me at all. But, to each their own! Your money, not mine, right?

 

[roadPilot]

Had a ZR2, and have friends with gen 2 and gen 3 raptors. The regular, non-FX4 trucks are not floaty.

I don't think so, either.

Just buy either package, and if you don’t like the suspension after a full year in all seasons, toss something else under there.

Def worth replacing the chit dampers either way.

 

[roadPilot]

I had CCD on my 22 Lariat. I thought it was too floaty and made the truck squirrelly.

I've never had an F150 with the CCD, but my 2024 Mustang Dark Horse has the Magnaride suspension (newer version of CCD) and there's no way in hell you could call it floaty or squirrelly. In fact, then entire draw of the Magnaride is to keep it planted. I assume it's tuned quite differently on the DH compared to a truck, though.

 

[Calson]

I have owned trucks for the past 55 years and my 2022 F-150 XLT has the most car like ride of any vehicle, even the large SUVs I have owned. Part of this is the use of what are passenger class tires. The tires are more than adequate for a vehicle with a GWWR of 7100 lbs where the maximum load of the tires is going to be less than 2.000 lbs and the factory tires on my 2022 truck are rated at 2,679 at 35 PSI.

With my 1-ton GM truck setup the tires I used were rated at 3,500 lbs at 80 PSI and provided a harsher ride as one would expect. It had the IFS which makes for a much smoother ride than 4WD vehicles with a sold front a solid front axle.

Best to take an hour and go to a nearby dealer and do a test drive of the vehicle at freeway speeds. Everyone has different expections based on their own experiences. I went from a Mercedes CLK coupe to a full size Chevy SUV and the Chevy SUV had a much more comfortable ride. The F-150 I bought in 2022 has and even more comfortable ride than the large SUV it replaced.

 

[drchops24]

I had the same concern with it removing the CCD, but all I could find when I was looking was FX4 so I went with it. I'm very happy, it drives well, and no you can't tell. Go for it.

 

[JExpedition07]

I didn’t find the FX4 to be worth it, the locking rear axle was $420 standalone option on my STX. All I needed.

 

[24SCP]

I had the same issue before ordering my 24 Platinum. FX4 Platinums everywhere and not a normal one. It really comes down to what your intentions for YOURS will be. Me, 95% on pavement and towing a trailer. My months of research and test driving had me stick with what came standard on the Platinum (CCD). Much smoother tide i can dial in and like every one else state, crazy to spend over $1k for absolute FX4 junk and remove a few $1k worth of tech . So back to the beginning, Ford makes trucks for profit and the make sooo much more on people who buy a Platinum FX4. If i needed an off road mudder with. 2-4” lift and offset tires that drove 50% on/off. Don’t buy a Platinum.
One last comment, dealer had to take care of an issue and provided me a Lariat FX4 (7 miles ODO) It had the same light feel in the front and confirms what other stated. Custom order May delivery sep 28. Added a Steeda rear sway (absolute mist on any F150) a few weeks ago then turn knob to sport mode (press 2wd) and extremely happy i ordered one. Btw Platinum CCD over 4 almost impossible to find.

 

[BelterCat]

I've had several trucks with FX4 package and my current '21 Platinum is NOT an FX4 package. There's no way in hell I would consider my ride "very floaty and soft". Not at all.

IMHO, the FX4 package includes four junk ass dampers (front struts, rear shocks), some cheap skid plates, and stickers on the side of the bed. Not worth it. Far better to upgrade your dampers with REAL ones (e.g., Bilstein or Fox) and swap the stickers yourself.

Again, just my $0.02.

Even the hill descent control is BS... Just switch to 4Low and manual shift down to 1st gear. There's your "FX4 Hill Descent Control" for free.

 

[astro_fusion]

Even the hill descent control is BS... Just switch to 4Low and manual shift down to 1st gear. There's your "FX4 Hill Descent Control" for free.

Hill descent works better at more speeds, set and forget. I'd much rather the brakes do the work vs having that direction of torque going through the front diff, tc and transmission on these trucks. My 3.5 doesn't make a whole lot of engine braking to do that job regardless. Dismissing it seems a little silly.

To my knowledge, Hill Descent is actually a free mod with forscan even if your truck doesn't have the fx4 package.

Sponsored