My last 2 vehicles have been Dodge diesels. I haul maybe 7000lbs 3 to 4 times a week, the trips are usually one way between 25 & 100 miles. I know very little about Fords but if I purchase one I KNOW I want this body style and I have to have the 6.5' bed.
1. Who really uses their FX4 Screw? How much weight do you haul or tow? How many miles?
2. From what I was reading the 20" wheels derate your towing and payload, True or false?
3. what are the largest tires you can out on a stock Screw Fx4?
4. What package do you have to get to the black headlights or was that a certain year deal?

Thanks In Advance!

 

2. none of the fx4's either with the 18's or 20's come with a LT tires, only passenger. LT tires aint exactly cheap in a 18 or 20 inch.
3.i'm not sure bone stock, with with a leveling kit 35x12.50-18's or 20's.
4.the fx4's have a platinum headlight bezel, too get the colored headlights you need to get the "FX4 luxury package"

my honest opinion is if you tow 7000 pounds 3 or 4 times a week, i would buy nothing less than a f250. i'm more than certain the f150 can and will, but not sure for how long.

 

I will not own another diesel and Ford makes very few higher end F-250's with a gasoline engine. I personally love the diesels but hate the complexity of the newer emissions friendly diesels of the big 3. PLus the extra $7k to $10k isn't worth it for me. I have been trading in vehicles about every 2 years because I am on a car allowance and the tax man says so. I was hoping to keep my next vehicle for 4 years and was looking to a higher end vehicle like the FX4 with the luxury package I really like the gauges and the headlights in that package. Plus the new F-250 bodies don't appeal to me.
Ford tends to be making their 1/2 tons to pull and so is GM. Dodge will opt to go with a coil spring rear end in the new body style coming out in 09. it appears they don;t care about towing or payload capacity.
So I am now waying my options between 3 vehicles:
1. Ford F-150 Screw luxury package 6.5' bed
2. Dodge 1500 MegaCab 4x4 This truck is on the same frame as the 2500's and has a solid front axle. The downfall is it is slightly heavy for the hemi but I live on flat ground.
3. Dodge 2500 QC Laramie Hemi 4x4. If it wouldn't be for the stupid cab lights I would probably just order a powerwagon.

 

I have an 04 Screw and pulled a 4000lb boat and it did that perfectly. Not sure how accurate it is, but on the commercials they advertise that it's the only truck in its class to pull 10K lbs. I aggree with ATOM...My truck (even a little older) will pull 7000 lbs, but probably not without its problems after a while. Good luck with your decision!

 

The 5.4 engine with 3.73 gear's and a programmer will suprise you how well they will tow. Tires should be limited to 33 inches and LT "D" or "E" rated for heavy load's. Also up-graded shock's, brake's and a good brake controller won't hurt either if you do a lot of towing. With diesel running 30 to 40 cent's per gal. more than regular I'd stick with a well equipped gas burner.

 

they make clear and smoked cab lights for those trucks, they look really nice on there too i was suprised myself. flip through a magazine called 8 lug or diesel truck (if you havent already) and they got some pimp sh*t in there for 3/4 tons and up. seen a guys running smoked cab lights and led lights on a black 03, looked sweet and i hate cab lights.

 

If you tow in hilly areas then stick with the diesel. I have towed 6-7K lbs hundred of miles on level ground and it did fine. With o'd ON unless wind is in your face. Bro in law has Ford Diesel whcih is = to Dodge and it kills me towing. I have towed 10K pounds in screw 4x4 and truck was fine with few hills. My screw gets 15-22 on hwy and 9-13 towing depending on load,wind, and speed (and o/d on or off). Im no diesel but I do just fine. Then again my bro in law tows 20K lbs regularly and I can't...Ive tried.....

 

Tires would be the equivalent OF the BFG ATKO around 33". Load range D
I would have the dealership change them. I have been keeping my Tekonsha Prodigy Brake controller for the last 3 vehicles and it has saved me numerous times. This vehicle will never pull more than it is legally rated for. Since, The company I work for pays me a vehicle allowance my they are opened up for a law suit. AND I NEED MY JOB. ANother reason I am considering this truck is because it is the last year run and should be the best of this body style.

 

question 2
Yes, the 20" tire wheel combo derates capacity 500 pounds (at least that is what my 2007 is). I could swear my tires are LT, but cannot check as I am on vacation and my truck is in God's country (Texas).

question 4
Hella makes a blackout kit for F150's. Do not know if this is what you are looking for.

If you are looking for a luxury truck, check out the King Ranch. I compared a Lariat with leather & the King Ranch side by side at the dealer. My opinion there is no comparison. I tow with my King Ranch. The truck does just fine with my 7200 pound trailer. The truck will not win any races with the trailer, but I know it is not a race car. 9-1/2 mpg while towing, 100% stock driveline.

 

I agree that the Kings Ranch is the cats meow. Again it comes down to appearance and personal preference. I like the blacked out gauges and headlights. And correct me if I am wrong but doesn't the FX4 come with a stiffer suspension than either the Kings Ranch or the Lariat in 4x4?

 

The OEM 20 inch Pirelli's are a light truck tire (not a passenger car tire ATOM). The 20 inch wheels make a huge difference when it comes to handing. Pump them up to the maximum 44 psi and you forget you're driving a truck. Without that big side wall on a 15-18 inch tire, the truck corners more like a car. Not to mention, it doesn't feel as sluggish when towing one of my trailers.

I've owned King Ranches, Lariats and FX4's. I liked the KR and Lariat models, but I prefer the "sporty" look of the FX4. Now that Ford offers all the luxury gizmo's in the FX4, I see no reason to buy the less capable Lariat & KR.

 

Try taking the FX-4 with the 20's on some serious OFF Road trails, & tell me how far you get, before a blowout, from lack of sidewall....No thanks, I'll stick with my 17's shodded with BFG's All Terrain KO's 285x70x17's......

 

first off, you can't equally compare a passenger tire and a light truck tire, let alone an all terrain and an all season. a blow out from lack of sidewall, just gonna scratch the rims on the 20's. serious OFF road trails aint going to be conquered by NO all terrain tire. i think its a shame that any vehicle company brands a vehicle as "FX4/Z71/TRX " and puts such a crappy tire on it. i think the only company that actually does is Jeep with their Rubicon model, stock BF Muds, you hear that ford i remeber the rangers fx4 level 2's used to come stock with bf all terrains. but the reality most people dont even offroad their vehicle and would **** and moan about the highway noise. so when you go and plunk down 35grand on a new pickup, whats 1200 bucks more to be different and make your truck look way better.

 

Mine's not a SCrew, but I do use my SCab off road quite a bit...

The 20s do diminish the towing rating. Not sure why. Ask Ford...

The largest tire I would put on a dead stock 2004 - up F150 4x4 is a 285/70R17 or equivalent (33x11.5). Much taller, or wider and you are going to end up with rubbing problems...