The ESOF is not that bad. I wish mine had it. My 4x4 lever makes the most annoying vibration noise when its in 4H that I want to break it off, It was in to the dealer 10x but no problem, they even took me for a ride in a brand new one, and it made the same frickin noise. Anyways, as long as you use 4x4 at least once a month, or engage it every week just to keep the parts working...It would be fine.

 

Girl I go to college with (super hot girl...) has an 05 I believe. FX4 with a floor shifter. Not sure how she got it, but at least I know it's possible..

Only reason she bought the Ford and not a Chevy was because of the floor shifter..

 

yeah if the flow through console is even a mild consideration, you might as well go ahead and get an FX4 or a lariat. not worth the trouble to try to piece together the parts down the road.

that was one caveat of mine when i bought mine. i briefly considered the bench seat, thinking i could sway in a XLT console, but i like the flow through too much.

 

Is this one better ?



I do not know how to make a sig. Someone else on the site was willing to do it for me and he figured that was the best pic for what I wanted. On the other side I removed the 4x4 sticker right away, but that also took the clear coat with it, leaving a fairly bad little spot. I was planning on putting those chitty looking 4x4 stickers back on to cover it up, finally chose the only way yo be happy was to have it fully re-sprayed.



Obviously they had some "minor" damage and I assume it was during transit (over 25% of vehicles go through some sort of cosmetic alteration due to transport "difficulties") I assume they were in some what of a hurry/cheap job so they put the 4x4 sticker back on before the clear coat was fully dry.
( more pics in gallery)

 

I have an XLT with the floor shifter. The wheels and tires are standard on the fx4 but are an option on the xlt. I think the grill looks cheap (same one on tha base model XL) so your better off buying an after market grill any how(personally love the fx2 grill) and true, you can have PTM bumpers. Something I am jealous of and definately over looked.