Ok, is there a difference between a supercrew with an FX4 package and an "Off Road" package? Does the FX4 have the heavier duty 7700 lb rating? Is one package preferred over the other?

I have seen some trucks with the "FX4" badging on the rear, and some with just an "Off-Road" decal on the rear, that's why I ask if there is a difference.

Thanks again,
Pat

 

when the fx4 first came out, the only difference between the fx4 and the 4x4 Offroad, was the "rancho branded" shocks and the fx4 sticker. other than that, no difference at all.

some of the trucks that have the 4x4 decal (no "offroad" designation) did not have the skid plates.

 

The Off Road Package (4x4 ORP) that started in 1997 continued through 2001, then changed to the FX4 in 2002 with Rancho branded shocks. These are not the same as any aftermarket shock Rancho offers. I'd be surprised if there is any difference in the shocks from 2001 to 2002 besides the paint & stickers. They sucked before and suck w/ Rancho's name too. Either one (or neither) is just fine. It used to be the only way to get 17" wheels, but not come 2001 by the time ther Supercrew came around. Pretty much anything can be had individually as well, like the skid plates and axle ratio (and LSD). I would not be too worried about finding a truck with or without the ORP for the given year. The FX4 wheels are unique to the package, but there are so many used ones. If you really want those wheels, you should be able to break even on selling any other 17" OEM wheel and buying a set of the FX4 ones.

Here is what the 2001 ORP included:

4x4 OFF-ROAD EQUIPMENT GROUP (55R)
• P265/70R17 OWL all-terrain tires (incl. spare) (T5N)
NOTE: Optional LT265/70R17 OWL all-terrain tires (T5E) are
recommended for demanding off-road usage
• 17" cast aluminum wheels (647) - four (with steel spare)
(cast aluminum wheels not included when ordered w/63K
King Ranch F-150
• Skid plates (fuel tank, transfer case & frame front
crossmember)
• Heavy duty shock absorbers
• “Off-Road 4x4” decal
• 3.55 axle

Here is the listing for the 2002 FX4 package.

FX4 Off-Road Equipment Group
• 17-inch 5-spoke cast aluminum wheels with stainless steel
lug nuts
• P265/70R17 OWL all-terrain tires (includes spare)
• Optional LT265/70R17 OWL all-terrain tires are
recommended for demanding off-road use
• Red and white-colored Rancho shock absorbers —
recognized by serious off-road truckers as one of the best
choices for hard-core off-road use
• Unique Dark Shadow Grey lower Two-Tone on XLT and
Arizona Beige on Lariat
• Wheellip moldings and grille insert are Dark Shadow Grey
or Arizona Beige
• Bumper and lower valance treatments are Dark Shadow
Grey or Arizona Beige
• FX4 Off-Road decal and tape stripes
• Skid plates (fuel tank, transfer case and frame front
crossmember)
• 3.55 axle
• Available XLT exterior colors (all are combined with unique
Shadow Grey lower Two-Tone):
– True Blue Clearcoat Metallic
– Black Clearcoat
– Oxford White Clearcoat
– Silver Clearcoat Metallic
– Toreador Red Clearcoat Metallic
– Bright Red Clearcoat Metallic

 

You basically pay for the stickers on the FX4 package. The Rancho shocks barley had any flex to them on the road. The wheels do make it stand out though, to let you know that it has the package. Worth it IMO.

 

Wow!! Thanks so much for the information! I'm not in love with the factory wheels, in fact my intent is to add a set of aftermarket Eagle rims with something like a 285/75 BFG ATKO, along with a 3" body lift. My next concern is the 3.55 gears pulling the larger tires, but the 285/75's 1" larger diameter, or 1/2" in rolling radius probably won't be noticeable.

Thanks again!
Pat

 

If you look at the current (2004+) model FX4's, the main difference between them and your standard 4X4 is the appearance package. The FX4 bumpers are painted in the same color as the vehicle, the dash is slightly different, and they come with sporty 17, 18 or 20 inch FX4 rims. The 5.4L V8 and 3.73 limited slip rear end is currently standard equipment.

The FX4 fills the gap between the 4X4 XLT and 4X4 Lariat in the Ford line-up. The FX4 does offer you choice of a sparten XLT style cloth interior up to all the leather & gadgets you can get in a Lariat.

 

If you can find a Sueprcrew w/ 3.73LS, you'll be happier. As you look at the used trucks, check out the axle code B6 on the driver's door sticker. 26 is the 3.73 open diff with H9 and 19 the codes for 3.55LS and 3.55 open.

 

hi,so what are the negatives/positives of a 2006,fx4 4x4 4 door supercrew?

 

By the 2005 model year, I think Ford figured out what people wanted from the FX4 and dropped much of the less desireable 4X4 options. The earlier models had options all over the place. The 3.73 limited slip is now standard with the 3.55 limited slip as the only "optional" rear end. You can still get a bench front seat, but the captain's chairs and unique flow through console seem to be the defacto standard.

I guess the down side of the FX4 is the price you pay. If all you want is a basic 4X4, no use to pay the extra cash for the FX4 "appearance" package when an XLT would be just fine. If you plan on just tearing off the factory shocks, wheels, tires, exhaust, ext... probably be better to buy an XLT and not paying for a bunch of options you didn't really want in the first place. You can get an FX4 with almost all the gadgets/luxury items in a Lariat, but many prefer the styling of the Lariat.

My 2005 FX4 is the first truck I've ever owned where people I don't even know stop me and want to look at it. Maybe it's because FX4's aren't too common, or maybe it's the color, but I never had people just stop and want to look at any of my XLT's and Lariats before. The REAL downside is that women keep on telling me I have a "pretty" truck! ARGH!!!

 

Wish we had that problem around here, everywhere you look there is a FX4. Its not everywhere you see a lifted one or one with wheels and tires though. IMO its the top of the lineup for the ford trucks though.

 

lol i know what you mean. one girl said my F150 was 'cute' I was like "...................ummm...."

However I think I am right but dontremember 100%, but n 2005, wasn't the FX4 placed above the Lariat? Making it the net step up, an then in '06 the Lariat was moved back infront of the FX4? I was browsing Fords line up in early '05 & thought that I saw that. I could be wrong.

 

I think it depends on which F-150 line-up you look at. When you build a 2007 F-150 on-line, it puts the FX4 a step ahead of the Lariat with a base price tag about $2K more.

The F-150 page stacks the trucks ...XLT, FX2, FX4, Lariat... which really makes no sense to me at all.

 

That's becuase Lariat is avilible in 2wd which is cheaper than the FX4. A base 4wd Lariat costs more and is the higher trim level.

 

Well, what I really meant to say is why the FX2 is above the XLT? The FX2 base price is about $5K higher than an XLT, but it just seems to me the XLT can be upgraded to a much higher standard of comfort & gagdets. I guess in my own little world, I view the FX2 as nothing more than an upgraded STX.

No doubt the Lariat is Ford's standard luxury truck. Of course, other than base price, I don't see why the Harley Davidson trucks are a step above the Lariat & King Ranch. I haven't seen too many HD's trimmed higher than a cloth XLT.

 

So, I have a choice between a 2003 Lariat, 60K miles for $16 (MIGHT be able to get it for $15) or a 2002 FX4 60K miles for $15. Which one should I get? Some say go for the 2003 because Ford fixed the plug problem.

Any thoughts?

TIA,
Pat