I'm planning on buying a F-150 SuperCrew Lariet.. (drouling)
I was wondering if anybody thinks the 4x4 off raod package is worth it..

What do you guys think of the stance of the truck with it, and how does it affect performance on the highway..

I won't be doing any serious off-roading; maybe some pot holes in a dirt road at most.

 

NO.
You don't need 4x4 for pot holes on a dirt road. You especially don't need the Off Road package. On the other hand, real men drive 4x4's which you can get without the Off Road package
I have the "SPORT" 4x4 and the only thing you get with the Off Road package is tires with a little more aggressive tread, heavy duty shocks and skid plates. All of these could be added later if needed for much less than dealer price.
Everyone has an opinion.

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2001 F150 XLT SC SPORT 4X4 FLARESIDE
* Black
* 4.6
* Auto
* awesome factory 10 spoke 17" wheels
* "MAN"ual shift 4x4
* 3.55 Limited slip
* Captains chairs W/console
* Factory tube steps
* Slider

 

well the 17inch tires are definetly awesome, however you can get them with the sport package i believe. of course the nice badge decalring it as a off road package makes it stand out.

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1998 xlt off road 5.4lsupercab auto pacific green clearcoat power drivers seat, keyless remote with factory alarm, tow package

 

I thought 4 wheel disc brakes only came with the O.R.P. That is one of the main reasons I opted for it.



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2000 F150 SuperCab 4X4 ORP; 4.6L

 

LMAO@JDF...that was funny as heck. Heh..heh...<sniff>...sorry. What do you want to do with...<sniff> with your truck? If you have visions of driving over the sidewalk and taxi cabs in Brooklyn, then go for it. If you are just everday travel (heh...ahem), then stick with 2WD. You can save a few bucks and have a gorgeous Lariat with all the goodies.

G'Luck...

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...my first "big" truck
'99 Ford F-150 Lariat
4WD, 4DR...absolutely stock (I guess)

 

If you are going to spend this kind of money on a truck, then I would definitely get 4x4. It is a great asset to have. Although the Off Road package isn't really necessary for everyone it does offer better shocks, skid plates, and tires. The bottom line is when you buy this truck it would just be nice to know that this vehicle could handle ANY obstacles it may come accross. If you are even debating this option then you should get it. If not you will always wonder and you will kick yourself for it down the road!

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'98 4.6 5sp. 4x4 ORP (Fully loaded, Power everything).

Mods.
- Modified Air Box
- K&N
- Borla Stainless Steel Exhaust

Future Mods.
- BBK High Performance Throttle body
- Superchip

 

My first pickup was a 1997 XLT 5.4 4x4 SC.

I loved it.

I also discovered this board soon after buying it -- and read the many raving posts from owners of 4x4's.

Just before Christmas 1999, in what my wife insists must have been a rush of testosterone, I bought Nick (as in Saint Nicholas) as a Christmas Present to Me.

I've had a lot of fun with it in the Michigan snow this year -- and just this week got a "hey, new truck?" question -- and it's 14 months old all ready.

Read some more posts -- or just re-read the ones above -- and you'll probably make a decision that you won't regret.

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Y2K™ Jim - N8JG@Hotmail.com

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

Here is what the offroad package consist of for 2001-


4X4 Off-Road Equipment Group (n/a with 4.2L engine or Payload Groups #2 and #3 or XL/XLT Sport Groups) includes P265/70R17 OWL all-terrain tires (5), (LT265 opt. recommended for demanding off-road usage) 17-inch cast aluminum wheels with steel spare), ski d plates (fuel tank, transfer case and front-frame crossmember), heavy-duty shock absorbers, Off-Road 4X4 decal, 3.55 rear axle

Now my analysis of it:

All the 2001s get 4 wheel disc. That is not an offroad thing. I know my 97 and the 2000 that I had ordered only had rear drums no matter which package.

-The decals, $16 each.
-3.55 rear, most likely comes in another package you will get with the truck
-HD shocks, dont waste your money. Still OEM POS shocks. Get good aftermarket ones. You will thank me later.
- Skid plates, front is $32. Other ones are about the same price each.
-Tires, POS OEM crap. If you want offroad tires, you should get at least 285/75/16s to fill up the wheel wells. Also aftermarket tires will have a much better tread and tread life.
-17" wheels, um, street tires. 16 or 16.5" rims are much better and have a wider variety of tires and sizes to choose from.

my $.02


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1997 XLT: 4x4, 4.6 5 sp manual. supercab, 3.55LS. Eagle Series 171 16x8 wheels with 285/75/16 BFG ATs. Magnaflow 2.5" muffler, electric fan, Airbox mods, K&N, Amsoil synthetics in engine, tranny and transfercase.

1990 Mustang GT. Black, 5sp. Usual mods, about 250bhp.

[This message has been edited by Matt90GT (edited 02-22-2001).]

 

Of my three trucks two have been 4wd, the 2wd was only in possession for about 8 months. I will not have any thing but a 4wd. For my likes, it is basically a necessity, plus also a luxury. Fun to play in, but a must where i hunt and also play.
I used to go down to a lake in Sonora, Mexico. About 4-500 miles in. There is this little town that you "go through" to get to the "road" to the lake. It is a must to have a 4wd on the north side. The road consists of a dried river bed, no other way. You can enter the lake from the baja of mexico in a 2wd, but there were no roads on the north side that allowed access to the south side.
Point is if you didn't have a 4X forget it. Two friends on 2 seperate occasions had the fortune of having a 4X. One friend destroyed the "ESOF" on his truck on the way out and luckily was far enough out he was able to limp into town, the other on the same road busted his rear u-joints on the way in.
Also i have the **** on the console, hate it.
Get the floor shifter. The **** engagement route is slow when it's cold out side.

 

I guess I was just lucky.

When I bought my truck last year, the Off Road package was free here in the midwest. The option was $800 or so, but was credited on the window sticker...

There was no decision for me. I like the truck, but I've never driven a late-model F-150 in any other configuration the an ORP 4x4.

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VENOM 99

• Y2K F-150 SuperCab XLT 4x4
• 5.4L, 4R70W, 3.55LS ORP, Trailer Tow
• Extang BlackMax tonneau
• BedRug
• Alpine CDM-7857 CD/Receiver
• Cobra 18 WX ST Weatherband CB Radio
• envious of those with the chrome steel 5-spoke factory wheels

www.students.uiuc.edu/~cellariu

 

I actually drive a regular sedan in the city... But I have a house in the pocono mountains, with a mile long dirt road driveway... i don't have the time or cash to constantly fix the road.. plus i couldn't even get to my house this year(snow)... pos mazda millenia... thats why I need a truck.. I go up there almost every other weekend... and the off-road package is only 450 bucks..


[This message has been edited by ColdSteel (edited 02-22-2001).]

 

I have a 99 Off road package. I had to have the off road package because it came stock with the 17" crome steel 5 spoke wheels. The rest of the stuff I didn't care about and I also didn't want a lariat. The 2000-2001 OFP no longer comes with the crome wheels. So in other words, I probably wouldn't buy a 2000-01 OFP.

You can always upgrade shocks and skid pans with better than oem for a very cheap price. Wheels are expensive to upgrade, so that is a major deciding factor. Also, if you are planning on lifting the truck in the future, it is hard to find large tires for a 17" wheel. Although, I believe this will change in the next couple of years.


My point, get what you believe is best for you. One thing I would recommend is the towing package.

Kev

 

Looks like you already made your decision. I think you are trying to convince yourself on buying the 4WD. Go for it...sounds like you actually have a need, and for what? $450.00? Yea, do it.

G'Luck

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...my first "big" truck
'99 Ford F-150 Lariat
4WD, 4DR...absolutely stock (I guess)

 

$450? That's $7.50 per payment on 60 months. Go for it.

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Stay Out Of My Taildust

2000 Black Harley Davidson F-150
5.4 Liter v-8
K&N Air filter
20" Polished Aluminum Wheels
275/45/20 Goodyear GSII's
Billet Front Grille
Front Valence W/ driving lights and Billet Insert
3.55 Rear End
Leather Interior
Heated Seats
Hidden Hitch
Orange Pinstriping
Front and Rear Light Blackouts
Lowered 1" Front & Rear
Block heater

 

ColdSteel,
I have been fortunate enough to have driven both. I was even more fortunate to have had the ORP first. You don't need it. DO, get the skid plates, $231.00 CDN ($80.00 US)option. DO get aftermarket shocks. Edlebrock IAS or Rancho RSX or something simular. Do, get the 3.55 Limited slip. Unless you want a manual tranny order the 5.4L engine. It is stronger and comes with the 9.75 rear differential which is a beefier unit. The 16 inch wheels that come standard, without ORP, will allow you a wider choice of tires. I have heard praise for the Goodyear Wrangler ATS tires but just get the little 235s or 255s and go out and get some real tires. I have 285 75R 16 BFG mud terrains. 33 inches is about the tallest tire that will fit without rubbing off road.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd 3.55LSD
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks,
BFG 285/75 R16 MTs,
Borla Cat Back, Headman Headers,
Modified Air Cleaner Outlet Tube
and air box, Ported Throttle body,
Shortened MAF sensor tower,
K&N air filter,
Superchips