Why would this pkg give you an extra rear leaf only with the 18" rubber?
I could possibly understand this if it was excluded only w/the 20" option as their is currently no LT tire available in that size, but then why exclude it with he 17" option which is a LT from the factory?

At first I much prefered the 18" FX4 wheel, but after seeing that pic on the Ford website with 20"s.... I'll reserve judgement until I see both in person.

 

What are the comparative load ratings on the 17" and 18" LT options?

 

It looks like the max tow package is available seperately of the heavy duty package and I think the LT 17s only come with the heavy duty package. And if the Hankook and General 17s are the same they've been using since the 04s came out I wouldn't want to tow anything with either of those.

 

Clearly states the FX4 is now available with a "special" LT tire. Looks like the 18" is same 6 ply LT Goodyear as previous gen.

I highly doubt extra leaf is based on tire rating otherwise payload and gvw ratings would be all over map.

I never use factory rubber, even if I don't change the size. I trade em in for something better. Mind you with the 04 it wook a few years until there were alternative choices in the 18" size so I guess I did wait a while.

 

Huh, In 03 my FX-4 came from the factory with LT265/70R17s Load range C. That was plenty enough for any 1/2 ton load. But to the point, It has to do wheel wheel weight ratings. IF you notice the superduties have a higher load rating when the 20" rims are selected as they are wider allowing for a higher tire MFG load rating.

 

Interesting.

BTW, 6 ply were avaiable in 04-08 too. At least in 18"s on a FX4...

I know there would be as many or more options for high load rubber in the 17"s than the 18"s as the 17s are 70 series vs 65 on 18. More options. So that won't be reason for this question.

 

When you add the max tow package in "build and price" you have to also add the chrome package.

 

not w FX4

 

On the lariat and platinum, they messed up **** so bad. If you want the power fold mirrors with a 3.73 LS, you're screwed. The only way you can get a 3.73 LS is if you add the max tow package. If you add the max tow package, it adds the manual telescoping mirrors. If you try and change it to the power fold mirrors on the platinum, it takes the max tow package off and changes you to a 3.55 LS. On the lariat, if you try and change the the tow mirrors to the power fold mirrors, it requires you to upgrade the lariat to a king ranch.

Who the hell thought that up?!

 

Thank you, Sport. I noticed that exact thing last night. You just saved me from having to type it up.

WHY you CAN'T get 3.73 without the excess of those trailer tow mirrors (max tow pack) is beyond me.

 

I had a Platinum on order and had to add the Max Tow Pkg to get 3.73s. I don't like the look of the manual telescoping max towing mirrors and the truck seemed alittle to bling bling for me, so I saved a few thousand and changed my order to a fully loaded black FX4 with luxary pkg and 3.73 gears with e-locker. I can't wait to drive my new baby!!!

 

Ford wants to maximize MPG and they'd prefer no one got 3.73s but they know if your towing you'll need/want that gearing, so they match up those two options.

I don't agree with it, just sayin is all. I wish they'd at least offer the power telesoping TT mirrors ala Super Duty.

 

Here's the Max Tow package details from the order guide:

��MAX TRAILER TOW PACKAGE (53M)
Availability:
• XL Regular and SuperCab
• XLT
• FX4 and Lariat SuperCrew
• FX4 and Lariat Super Cab w/145" W/B
Not Available with:
• 17" Machined Aluminum Wheels (647)
• 17" Machined Aluminum w/Painted Accents (64F)
• Flareside Box
Requires:
• 5.4L engine and auto transmission
• 3.73 rear axle ratio
• Trailer Tow Mirrors (54T/54P/54R/54X)
• XL requires 627 Heavy Duty Payload Package
• XLT SuperCab requires 627 Heavy Duty Payload Pkg or 145" WB
with 86X XLT Chrome Package.
• XLT SuperCrew requires 86X XLT Chrome Package.
Includes:
• Upgraded rear bumper
• Class IV trailer hitch receiver
• 7-pin wiring harness
• Upgraded radiator
• Auxiliary transmission oil cooler
• Upgraded rear springs (with 18" tires only)
• Heavy Duty front eye bushing
• 20:1 steering gear
Optional Equipment:
• Heavy duty 72-amp battery (59H)


Power fold mirrors: as stated above, you can only get the regular power fold mirrors on the King Ranch or Platinum. Maybe after Job2 or in 2010 they will be available as an option on the Lariat or FX4 Luxury package like they for 07/08?

There's no way around not getting those Big Tow mirrors with Max Tow Package without just changing them out yourself after you buy the truck.

 

The first gear with the 6 speed is something like 4.3:1. I think the current 1st gear is something like 2.7:1. The 3.73s won't make near as much difference with the new tranny.

 

So are you saying with the new 6 speed transmission, the 3.73's might not be needed for say something like a lift. Will the 3.55 LS with the 6 speed be comparable to the 3.73 LS with the 4 speed?