Looking into getting a truck, I have narrowed my choice down to a FX4 or Titan Pro 4x. I plan to use it for some light offroading in the AZ desert and possibly adding a light pop up truck camper (four wheel camper).

So how are the offroad capabilities of the FX4, anybody doing some wheeling with one? How about some pros and cons? Also, as far as a lift, which one will give me better offroad performance? Not interested in the bling type lift. Thanks for any input.

 

I've done some goofing off in a huge mud pit in my FX4 and got it stuck with the crappy Scorpion tires. Be sure to change the tires if you get one for sure.

If I were to get a lift that was functional and not blingy, I'd go for an Icon lift.

http://www.iconvehicledynamics.org/c...j9q825r2q0d2c3

 

Wow that ICON stuff looks cool. Any reviews on how it rides?

 

Yeah, it rides like a freakin dream! I've got a buddy that's a distributor for them and he threw a set on one of our friend's truck. I went on a trail ride with him, lots of rock crawling and tons of bumps and the Icons soaked everything up. And when just riding on the road, it feels like sailing on a cloud of air. They're also Baja tested and proven and fully rebuildable.

If I had the money and means, I wouldn't fool with a spacer lift or any of the bling lifts, I'd go straight for the adjustable coilovers like these.

 

What year range are you looking at? Doesn't the titan come with a selectable locker? Depending on what you consider "light wheeling" you may need something besides a full size IFS truck or may not even need 4wd so more info on that would help us help you. One thing that ruled out the titan for me was the lack of availability of used ones. They were out there but it was hard to find one that matched my criteria where as Ford, Dodge and Chevy had plenty.

 

Both trucks I'm looking into will be 2010's. Yes, the nissan titan pro 4x comes with a rear selectable locker, upgraded shocks, skid plates etc, it's very similiar to the fx4 package, thats why I'm considering both. As far as wheeling, I'm lookin into tame desert trails, no crazy rock crawling. I want something I can take off the beaten path without getting myself into trouble.

 

*cough* Raptor *cough*

 

Think about it this way:

What is Ford known for making?

What is Nissan known for making?

Hint:

Ford: Best selling truck ever
Nissan: The Maxima is a pretty nice sedan

I wouldn't go to a typewriter company to buy a pistol. Why? They don't specialize in pistols. They might tell you that they are "now" in the pistol making business, but what is their pedigree?

Ford knows how to build tough, reliable, and capable trucks. That is what they do.

Is the FX4 the end all be all when it comes to offroad? Not really. It is a factory produced truck that will meet the requirements of most casual offroaders. If you are looking for a truck that you can functionally trick out to be a more than capable off-roader, you can't go wrong with the FX4 as a base to build off of.

Just my $.02,
JJ

 

I saw your post on the Titan forum. There is a lot of garbage being spewed over there. I also see they are comparing some old 04 model F-150's to their Titan and not the new 09+ F-150 with the new 6 speed transmission and over 2000 new parts.
http://www.titantalk.com/forums/tita...4x-vs-fx4.html

As for price, the Titan is the one with the high price for the oldest of all of the full-size trucks, and marginal side crash test ratings. http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/02...ash-tests.html

The F-150 is stronger, tougher, and is the leader in capability. It is the best truck. Period.

Watch some of these videos here, specially the ones with the yellow background for the truth about trucks:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/trucks/f...deos-and-demos

Also check out the Pickuptrucks.com Extreme Traction Control Test:
F-150 performed the best.
Titan performed the worst.
http://special-reports.pickuptrucks....e-tractio.html

And, overall, the Titan comes in dead last in the pickuptrucks.com shootout. The F-150 comes in first.

The Locker...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k6hNvaxSZk

Offroad....Just insert the Titan for the Tundra and see how it stands up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJZVUnOduH4

As part of the 2008 PickupTrucks.com Half-Ton Shootout, PickupTrucks.com put six half-ton pickups from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Nissan and Toyota through an extreme traction-control test that simulated icy road conditions to find out which trucks had the best traction control. For more information, visit PickupTrucks.com.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFJI0tLMVpI

 

Last I heared, the Titan has the worst overal customer satisfaction ratings as far as full size trucks... Mainly due to mechanical problems.

 

Here is a pretty much unbiased review that shows the Titan falls short.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/03...san-titan.html

- Titan has less ground clearance than F150
- Titan is lighter so it wont have as much traction and a solid feel as the heavier F-150 offroad and towing
-F150 has new longer and wider leaf springs for 2009 and outboard mounted shocks that all help offroad and in hauling
- Titan gets poor reliability ratings, F150 is rated the best in reliability
- safety, Titan crash tests not good, F150 is the safest and best built
- interiors - Titan is below the industry standard F-150
- styling - Nissan with poor styling, the front end is awful IMO, limited configurations, same since 2003
- F-150 new looks for 2009, most configurations, toughest
- features - Nissan is missing many like factory trailer brake controller, load flat floor, safety cage, technology like SYNC, list goes on and on
- brakes - old Nissan pedal mashing to the ground vs all new brakes for the 2010 F150
- fuel economy - Nissan has the worst
- towing your camper - F150 is the better choice for towing
- Titan came in last in the uphill tow tests on pickuptrucks.com
- frame - weak axles and frame on Nissan, Ford has the strongest frame
- tranny - 5speed vs Fords 6speed

Titan Pros
- It doesn't change very much and there is no update in sight so you wont have to worry about being outdated by a new model anytime soon. But the Titan is the oldest and falls short to the competition in many areas and does not sell very well. See yearly sales data. The F-150 will outhaul, outrun, outoffroad and outlast any Nissan. I hope this helps.

 

I read for 2011 Nissan is using Dodge for the engine, chassis and suspension. Only the exterior will be Nissan design.

 

That plan was called off.

Nissan, Chrysler End Deal for Ram-Based Nissan Titan
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2009/08...san-titan.html

 

bluegreenf150/Rambo
thanks for providing some good info and links. I was kind of a ford lean since I currently own a 04 expy w/ 5.4 2 valve and i have 110K on her, never had any issues with our suv. My only complain is that 5.4l is such a dog. Due to my schedule, I have not had a chance to test drive either, but this week, I will definately hit the dealers and check both out.

Is there any changes made from the 04' 5.4l to 10' 5.4L? Oh, BTW, that icon suspension system looks awseome, anybody ever write a review? Any other performance type lifts available for 10" or is icon the best available.

 

BTW, one thing I do like alot about the 10" FX4 is that 36 gas tank, thats is freakin awesom, less stops and longer range is always good.