Was at a dealership this past weekend looking at the trucks (yes again) trying to really decide on which options, etc. I want to get. Anyway, I asked the dealer if the shocks on the FX4 were any different from the other models and he said yes, they have Ranchero shocks on them. Does anyone know if this is actually the case? If it is, is that really an advantage over any of the other 4x4 models? This will be my first 4x4 pickup so please excuse my ignorance. Thanks in advance.

Cheers.

 

I was told the only difference between the FX4 and the XLT 4X4
was off-road shocks and a skid plate and of course a little more cash.

I opted for the 04 F150 Screw XLT 4X4 5.4 Triton and am very happy with it......I really don't offroad unless you count crashing thru a few snowbanks.

good luck

 

I believe you mean Rancho Shocks, not Ranchero. As far as I know, Ranchero is a style of eggs, and a damn good one at that. But to answer you question no, they are not Rancho shocks. In the past I believe Ford used Ranchos on some models, but not this time around. You have to go aftermarket if you want brand name shocks. The FX4 comes with different off-road shocks, but they are not brand name. Slap the dealer for all of us. Feel free to ask noob questions. We all have to learn somehow.

 

According to info from Ford website and brochures, the shocks on the FX4 are "specially tuned off-road shocks". They are not Rancho shocks. Rancho shocks were standard equipment on 2003 - earlier FX4's. I am not much of an offroader, so I couldn't tell you whether or not there is an advantage over the standard shocks on other models. If I had to guess, I would say that the FX4 shocks are a little more firm.
No flame intended: I believe the Ranchero was an old Ford model similar to the ElCamino style.

 

I believe you are correct. So it is eggs and an old Ford! Mmmm....eggs... Mmmm...Ford...

 

sorry, double post.

 

Rancho...Ranchero... *lol* You got what I meant!

Thanks for the info guys. I truly appreciate it. I gather from what you are saying that there really shouldn't be too big of a difference between the standard 4x4 shocks and the FX4 shocks?

I do go off roading up in the mountains here when I get the chance (upon the availability of a family member's vehicle), nothing drastic or even all that dramatic. Although there was a time the road was washed away in some really heavy overnight rain. Still, we managed to get out off the mountain that particular time in our Honda Accord!

I'm really looking forward to being able to explore the mountains when we get our truck. That's why I was wondering if there really is a benefit to the FX4 shocks over the standard 4x4 shocks.

Thanks again guys.

Cheers.

 

My dad had a yellow Ranchero and it was the ****. Huervos Rancheros will give you the ****s. Go figure.

 

preach brother, preach!

vertigoFX4, if the shocks are the only thing attracting you, I wouldn't buy an FX4. I can't imagine the FX4 shocks are that much better than the shocks on other 04s. If you want good shocks I would spend your money in the aftermarket arena instead of at the dealer.

 

I read in the suspension forum that the '03 and prior FX4 shocks are actually Rancho "branded" Motorcraft shocks, not real Ranchos.

They also said that they weren't lasting more than 10-12k miles....

 

First post for me.

I have a set of Rancho 5000 on my 3/4ton, they are no big deal, just a fancy sticker and an O.K. shock. They don't have much of a great reputation in the offroad world, but there is nothing really wrong with them.
I was looking at the FX4 and an XLT. Finally decided on the XLT becuase I didn't like the flowthrough console, but did want the short console that comes with the premium captains chairs on the XLT.
Shocks don't make that much of a difference off road, unless you are driving fast, and that just isn't how I drive off road. I wouldn't let it be the decision maker for you.
The skid plates are available as an option on the XLT.

We are picking up our Super Crew XLT 4x4 tonight.

We were going to order, but the dealer found one that matched it, except it didn't have skid plates. He ordered the skid plates for me through the parts department.

 

Rancho 9000x's are sweet I had them on my tahoe I traded in for my fx4screw. They have a 9way adjustable **** on the side to adjust for your type of driving and comfort level.

 

just so i clear this up... ford had the ranchero before the el camino was made. so shevy once again ripped off a ford design.,...



but the ranchos were not on 97-2000 model f150 off road editions, only when they called it a FX4 did it get ranchos.... and now they dont use them again.... oh well

 

Might as well be talking to the wall...

https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=135324

 

hmmm.

those edelbrock shocks sound really good....

now i am glad the ranchos dont come on the fx4 for 04