I was about to place an order (2month wait time they said) for 2016 F-150 4x4 king ranch tricked out the way I want, when the dealer said he found an Fx4 with everything I want. Actually, it has everything I want, and some extras I don't care about.

From what I can tell and have been told, if I don't like the stiffer ride of the Fx4, I can have the shocks changed out to the standard 4x4 shocks for about $600 and the truck will ride the same as a 4x4.

The truck is not local, so I can't drive it or see it.

I just want to make sure the above is true - springs, suspension, etc. are all the same, only the shocks are different. So if I change the shocks and pull off the Fx4 stickers, I'll basically have what I wanted in the first place (with skid plates). Is this correct?

Thanks!

 

I think the skid plates and hill decent control is the only thing it comes with. I have it, never used the hill decent.

The truck sits too low stock to go offroad. Need to add a little lift and maybe take off the airdam.

 

IMO the costs of a new truck is too high to even consider without trying it out first. But FWIW I have an FX-4 and I'm very happy with it. YMMV.

FX-4 is usually costs more than a 4x4 so you could be spending money for nothing. AND you're talking about spending more money to change out the shocks? That doesn't sound wise to me.

 

I think you're going to discover that despite all of the marketing hype, the difference in shocks on the two models is next to imperceptible.

 

What 2stroked said. I changed out my rear FX4 shocks last month to Rancho 7000 series. They are much better than the stock FX4 shocks. Why? Because I have about 700 lbs. of tools in the back and needed it a little stiffer without a spring change or bags. I've also got a 5.0 and ProComp 2.5" spacers up front.
Ride is perfect.

 

Do they even have different shocks anymore though? They use to use rancho branded shocks at least on the superduty.

 

The 97-03 body did use rancho shocks on FX4's, ever since they came with ford shocks. The 04-08's had different part #'s for the FX4 shocks, but for outward appearances they were the same shocks and the difference in ride was unnoticeable. On the 04-08's and 09-14's the FX4's had better looking interiors than the XLT's and did not have that tacky faux woodgrain trim of the lariats/king ranch. IMHO the 14's were the last of the real FX4's, 04-14 they were their own trim level placed between an xlt and a lariat. Now it's just an option package you can get on any truck, even a plain jane xl.

BTW the skid plates that come with the FX4's are skid plates in name only and are junk. They are too thin to offer any real protection and bend real easy. I destroyed the plate under the engine on my 07 with a floor jack.

 

I checked '12 SD FX4 Rancho rears on my shelf...The "Guess-o-meter" says they are the same tune. Which is odd when you think of the different capabilities of each truck.

 

The factory skid plates are fine for mild offroading and protecting the bottom end from flying debris. They stand up just fine to good size rocks and tree branches. I have had both of these hit the bottom and the plate took the beating like a champ. Now, if you want to lift the front end of the truck with them you're gonna have a bad time. Trucks have jack points for a reason.

For $600 you can get a lot better set of shocks than anything at the dealership. The factory FX4 shocks still are mediocre at best.

 

I know this is a few weeks old but I didn't see this info which I thought was worth sharing.
FX4 is not only $700 shocks. It is a package that combines the skid plates, E locker and shocks. So it is a little better value than if you were considering adding just the E locker and skids separately to a 4x4. My 2010FX4 had FX4 interior trim, I don't think they do anything to the interior for FX4 any longer. I bought it because I was doing the E locker and skids anyway. Plus the wife likes the FX4 decals

 

I didn't see this before either. I don't know if this means anything for a 2016. But, I've owned a 2000F150XLTScab4x4 and now have a 2002 FX4 Scab. The FX4 definitely has stiffer springs. I replaced the stock Rancho shocks with Monroe gas shocks trying to soften the ride. The difference was just barely noticeable.

 

I also have a 2010 FX-4 and I agree with everything that you say, even down to the wife liking the FX-4 decals. :-) BUT I think Ford has since dropped the E-locker and they may have dropped other "standard" FX-4 features so the OP really needs to check the truck IN PERSON IMO. And FWIW I wouldn't trust what the stealership says is or is not included on the truck, I've seen too many cases where they were WRONG! Either out of ignorance or by design.

 

Yep, if it isn't written in the contract, you can't believe anything a salesman says. It's like a politician running for office or a guy on a date trying to seduce his girl friend. The end justifies the means in their minds.