Is there a difference in the factory suspension between the 4x4 and the fx4 in the new f150's...If so what is the difference. Some of the Fx4 look bigger to me?

 

i think the only difference between the two is the shock. the fx4 has rancho shocks. and the 4x4 has crapy shocks. thats the only differnce that i know of.

 

I'm not sure that is even the case on the 04-06's. The biggest difference is the FX4's usually have the optional larger all terrian tires.

 

I think early on, the FX4 had skid plates as standard equipment. Ive also heard the "Rancho" shocks are just the OEM shocks with Rancho stickers on them.

 

Yeah, they were just a shock built to Ford's specs. Inside they were the same as the shocks that were used on the old "Off Road" an towing packages.

 

And I might further offer that "crappy" is a relative term when it comes to shocks. My last truck (2002) had the FX4 package with the fake OEM Rancho shocks. It rode like a floor jack compared to my previous Of Road Package equipped trucks and my current XLT. By the way, replacing the "fake" Rancho's with "real" ones at 30,000 miles completely transformed the ride for the better.

 

I just bought my first 4X4 ('05 F150), so I don't know diddly, BUT...

The Ford website does distinguish the FX4 shock as "off-road tuned", suggesting they are different from those on my XLT.

"Off-road" to me usually means stiffer and maybe more heavy duty.

Just my $00.02 worth, FWIW,
Red

 

In the newer FX4 they no longer are made with the Rancho shocks. But they are lifted about 2 inches higher in the rear than an lariat. (I believe they use lift blocks for this) The 04-06 FX4 only say they have off-road tuned suspension. (NOT RANCHO). Some members have swapped their OEM with Bilsteins and have been very impressed.

 

if you plan on lifting it, dont even bother with the fx4..everything you are payin a bunch of money for is going to be replaces, except the stickers on your bed...

 

I agree with FRESHJIVE959. You will be getting just about eveything the FX4 has from skid plates(if it comes with the kit) to shocks. IF you plan on lifting it. BUT the interior in my opinion is nicer in the FX4 than the LARIAT.

 

than a baseline xlt. my foreman has one and it has no where near the height of my truck. there aren't lift blocks in the rear either. the axles are under the leaf springs but i'm pretty sure thats across the model line.