I'm going by the description in the order guides under Key Exterior Features.

For the 08 truck, it says "shock absorbers, gas (Off-road shock absorbers on FX4)". Now we all know they weren't any special red Rancho shocks, just slightly stiffer black looking shocks.

For the 09 order guide, it just simply says "shock absorbers, gas" for all truck models. There is no other description in the entire order guide that I could find that would indicate the FX4 gets any kind of special "off-road" shocks.

Anyone else know about this?

 

who cares the fx4 shocks were never anything special anyways... if you want off road shocks buy some kings. the only cool thing about fx4's is the painted bumpers. haha

 

It always was that way. They weren't rancho shocks, just valved differently (i believe). My lariat ones (when stock) were EXACTLY the same as the ones on my friend's FX4.

 

Parts catalog lists a "Premium off Road" shock for the front. Nothing specified as Off road for the rears.

 

the oem rancho shocks were never really anything special. one would turn to kings, dirt logics, etc for better performing shocks. the obvious exception to this would be the shocks on the Raptor F-150.

 

yes I realize they weren't anything special. I could care less about changing the shocks.

I'm just saying that Ford advertises the FX4 as an off-road model yet they haven't said anything about the shocks on the new 09's vs. how they said they were slightly different on the 04-08 FX4.

But thanks Domenic for the info from the parts catalog.

 

Not sure, in one of the Raptor writeups they mentioned the FX4 (09) had factory tokico gas shocks and the impresion I got is those were not the same shocks as the rest of the f150 4wd lineup?

Here is the line as quoted from that article: "The 2.5-inch Fox shocks have larger diameters than both the F-150’s base shocks and the offroad FX4 F-150’s Tokico shocks."

 

did you think ford was going to let you have your cake and eat it too? thats what the raptor is for

 

There are different grades of shocks that go on to the trucks. The shocks come in the plant pre sorted...You grab the one that is next in order, you can't just grab anyone and throw it on. So, yes there are different shocks for different trucks.

 

the new FX4 model is 10x more an "off road" truck then the previous model.
Dearbornderek:
I know for a fact, "special shocks" had nothing different and that the Valving was 35mm front, and 32mm rear, same EXACT as stock. Perhaps they charged it with slightly more nitro ? Or whatever gas they used. Maybe they used a different oil ? I would like to know the difference, since all valving and internals are identical.

Now, they stopped telling "false truths" and admit there is no difference. Consumer isn't as stupid as they thought it was perhaps. Not sure.

Now it has a locker.... what more do I need to say ? That alone makes it far more capable.

Also has a final crawl ratio of 45.1:1 pretty impressive for a factory truck IMO.

Also, the FX4 is suppose to net more points on a RTI test, then any previous model, or any current model being offered. The Raptor will net more, but hasn't been released yet.

Supposedly better skid plates for the new FX4 as well.

Just to name a couple changes I know of...

 

The LSD is the biggest thing with the fx4......

 

I have a LS rear, and I have an XLT ...


(LS wasn't only for the FX4. Before 09, FX4 simply was a trim level. Its cosmetic only )

 

I have a 3.73, LS rear end stock!.... Factory skid plates, & Bilstein HD shocks that I installed on my own! I feel I have a slightly better truck than an FX-4!.....

 

The painted bumpers were a cool attraction, the Lariet'esque interior (black leather buckets with full console) without the crappy Auto A/C stuff with temps and all...I like old fashioned temp blender and fan control, the LSD is cool not not special, but I was attracted to the 3.73s over 3.55s, also a factor was the neat gauges and console shifter, and 3 skid plates is a huge plus. Overall the gears and appearance in and out on an FX4 is what sold me, along with some capability off road.

 

For me FX4 interior trumps all others. Who wants wood trim??? I'm not 60. Unless its real wood in a benz etc, no thks.