Early Stages of Ranger Shopping! Question on 4x4 vs FX4!

[harringtondav]

I've decided that I want a truck, in 4-wheel drive, and I'm a big fan of Ford products. I'm gravitating towards the Ranger, because I want my wife to be comfortable driving it in a pinch (inclement weather, if I have too much to drink out on the lake, etc.). She wont drive something the size of an F-150 or larger, so I'm not even going to look at them.

I've got a 2-wheel drive, 5.0 1998 Explorer Limited that I use for lake duties; hauling my dog and coolers to our lakeside cabin, launching and recovering our boat. I've gotten the Explorer stuck, badly, on two different occasions and had to be towed out on both occasions by our neighbor with his Tacoma. Embarrassing! On both of those occasions, it started raining while we were asleep, and the next morning the Explorer wouldn't get out of our parking spot.

Luckily I haven't had any issues on the boat ramp, but I'm really wanting something in 4-wheel drive just-in-case. The Ranger's towing capacity is more than enough for our 18.5' bow-rider.

My main question is; is the FX4 package worth spending the extra coin on?

As far as the FX4 package is concerned, I like the idea of my wife being able to have a system that could help her if she ever finds herself driving the Ranger in the snow. Also, I like the idea of possibly loading up the Ranger and heading out for some trail driving in North Georgia, and evening possibly setting it up for an overlanding/camping situation one day. Right off the bat, I plan on adding some accessories to the truck to make it work better for how I see us using it. I'd like to add a bed rack; for hauling kayaks, and spare fuel. I really would like an easy way to haul ethanol-free fuel out to the lake for the boat and the overlanding rack setups would be perfect for this. I can also see adding a more aggressive tire, leveling kit, auxiliary lighting, slider bars, and a winch at some point if I end up in a new Ranger.

Would I be well served with an XL STX 4x4, or would it really be worth stepping up an XLT FX4 for the enhanced 4x4 capabilities?

Thank you and I look forward to reading what people think about this.

My base list was XLT, SuperCab, 4X4, Tow pkg, and rear locker. There were no 2019 SuperCabs around. I wanted a 2019 for the large cash incentives. So a local dealer found one in WI that had my musts, plus the FX4 pkg and other goodies. All for less than I'd purchased a 2020 base with my list.

As stated above, the FX4 has a trail tuned suspension and some software glitz that's helpful if you're climbing rocks. Since I got the FX4 for free, I can live with it. Down side is off road tires, and I believe it rides a little higher than a base 4X4, and a stiffer suspension. Mine rides fine, but the wife and I are height challenged, so we have to pull ourselves up into the cab. ....tail gate is a little high for me too.

So unless you are a serious off roader, I'd save my pennies and just get the rear locker. ..thinking all of that belly armor reduces the rated payload.

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[JimJa]

Based on your described usage, a standard 4x4 would serve you well and ride better without having the added expense of the FX4 package. I have the FX package and initially it rode a little stiff but has loosed to an acceptable level after a number of miles. I installed a locker on my 2005 Ranger and used it once in 11 years. It came on my 2019 Ranger and although the truck is used in snow and mud here in WY, it's not been used. Resale of models other than the XLT may be a concern given the percent of all Rangers that are XLTs vs the other models but that's personal decision. If you have small kids leather is an advantage when it comes to clean up.

 

[Michael Bailey]

I've decided that I want a truck, in 4-wheel drive, and I'm a big fan of Ford products. I'm gravitating towards the Ranger, because I want my wife to be comfortable driving it in a pinch (inclement weather, if I have too much to drink out on the lake, etc.). She wont drive something the size of an F-150 or larger, so I'm not even going to look at them.

I've got a 2-wheel drive, 5.0 1998 Explorer Limited that I use for lake duties; hauling my dog and coolers to our lakeside cabin, launching and recovering our boat. I've gotten the Explorer stuck, badly, on two different occasions and had to be towed out on both occasions by our neighbor with his Tacoma. Embarrassing! On both of those occasions, it started raining while we were asleep, and the next morning the Explorer wouldn't get out of our parking spot.

Luckily I haven't had any issues on the boat ramp, but I'm really wanting something in 4-wheel drive just-in-case. The Ranger's towing capacity is more than enough for our 18.5' bow-rider.

My main question is; is the FX4 package worth spending the extra coin on?



As far as the FX4 package is concerned, I like the idea of my wife being able to have a system that could help her if she ever finds herself driving the Ranger in the snow. Also, I like the idea of possibly loading up the Ranger and heading out for some trail driving in North Georgia, and evening possibly setting it up for an overlanding/camping situation one day. Right off the bat, I plan on adding some accessories to the truck to make it work better for how I see us using it. I'd like to add a bed rack; for hauling kayaks, and spare fuel. I really would like an easy way to haul ethanol-free fuel out to the lake for the boat and the overlanding rack setups would be perfect for this. I can also see adding a more aggressive tire, leveling kit, auxiliary lighting, slider bars, and a winch at some point if I end up in a new Ranger.

Would I be well served with an XL STX 4x4, or would it really be worth stepping up an XLT FX4 for the enhanced 4x4 capabilities?

Thank you and I look forward to reading what people think about this.

Most guys (always guys) get the FX4 package for the nifty sticker on the back fender.

Suckers.

The FX4 package is a bag of expensive gadgets that you will never use. The exception, the only really useful part of the FX4 package, is the "posi-traction" option (I forget what Ford calls it), and you can get that independent of the FX4 package, as I did on mine.

I live on what the road crews call 'the worst dirt road in the county', with a 1,000' elevation gain over 1.5 miles, and I am King of the Mountain, with my 4x4 and the $500 posi-traction option.

Save that FX4 cash and invest in a more aggressive set of tires. Tires are the single most important traction device you can buy.

 

[hughesjv]

I find it funny about how bouncy folks think the FX4 is but I originally bought a XLT 4x4 and that thing would bounce my tiny wife right out of her seat. The FX4 as noted by my tiny wife rides much smoother and I agree. It also allows me to be prepared for whatever the road or lack thereof throws at me.

I am FX4 snob but as others have said, you can choose not to use what you have but much of what the FX4 offers is not available aftermarket and then you don't have a choice.

Good luck, Jim

 

[Tesseract]

I test drove an FX4 and a 4x4 back to back. I ended up getting the FX4 because I found a great deal for a truck and that truck had the FX4 package. I thought the 4x4 had better on road ride quality (not great, but acceptable). I find the FX4 suspension to be very poorly mannered in any turning situation. A lot of this is personal preference and keep in mind that my previous car was a 2009 BMW M3, but I like a vehicle that feels planted around turns. For me, the FX4 feels very bouncy and wallowy over terrain in a way that I don't like. When I pull into my driveway, there is a slight slope up (just a few inches), but turning onto that causes my truck to roll back and forth at least 4 times before it settles out.

I guess I just like a truck that has better damping. I just ordered the Icon Stage 1 kit because I want the truck to be "confidence inspiring" on the road where it spends most of its time.

 

[Nick Barber]

I just wanted the FX4 sticker so I paid for the package

I peeled my sticker off lol

 

[DeadSkiHead]

Most guys (always guys) get the FX4 package for the nifty sticker on the back fender.

Suckers.

The FX4 package is a bag of expensive gadgets that you will never use. The exception, the only really useful part of the FX4 package, is the "posi-traction" option (I forget what Ford calls it), and you can get that independent of the FX4 package, as I did on mine.

I live on what the road crews call 'the worst dirt road in the county', with a 1,000' elevation gain over 1.5 miles, and I am King of the Mountain, with my 4x4 and the $500 posi-traction option.

Save that FX4 cash and invest in a more aggressive set of tires. Tires are the single most important traction device you can buy.

Some people might think the Lariat package is a waste of money. I had an F-150 Lariat and the leather was cheap and after years of actual offroading, it deteriorated pretty quickly. FX4 package was cheaper on an XLT than a standard 4x4 with Lariat. That's not very reassuring for a trim level that's like $6,000 more than XLT. I'll upgrade my tires when I wear the ones that came stock out. They've gotten me through plenty of dirt, mud, snow and ice and up to 9500' elevation. Now, "expensive gadgets that you will never use" is certainly debatable. I'm not sure which specific features you're referring to. I think it's pretty cool people can buy a base model Ranger and still get the FX4 package.

 

[RangerRob]

I like the package and have it on my F150 too (which I think was more of a sticker than a package on the F150) but on my Ranger, I like it even though I am aware I may not use the Terrain Management System.

I did like the softer ride of the FX4 when I was test driving them ....

 

[DeadSkiHead]

Posi traction lol...the rear lockers?

 

[Glocker]

What option code do I need to look out for, for the locking differential?

 

[Michael Bailey]

I have an FX4.

Do I need the extras that come with it? No.

Do I like it? Yes.

Have I used the trail control features? No.

Will I ever use the trail control features? Maybe but if I do, it'd be really rare.

Why did I get the FX4 package?
Cause my username is "FX4Offroad" and I didn't want to change it.

Seriously, I love the FX4. I don't feel the bouncyness everyone talks about. I think it rides like a '69 Oldsmobile. Like on a cloud man. I do go off road often but so far, the special trail control features aren't really needed. I have them if I need the though.

I came from several F150s the last on was an FX4. Loved it. Hated the MPGs. Was a beast off road but it was heavy.

The Ranger is much lighter and handles off road much, MUCH better. It doesn't sink like the F-150.

I've worked hard all my life, kids are gone and I wanted a nice truck. Fortunately, I can afford to get what I want...so I did. My wife was 110% behind me.

Did I say how much I LOVE my Ranger?

'Nuff said.

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Your post definitely struck a chord with me, I am in a very similar place.

But in particular, when my Ranger was delivered my first impression of the 'ride' was - and I said this to my wife - it reminded me of the ride of a late-'fifties Buick LeSabre.

 

[Mokume]

Your post definitely struck a chord with me, I am in a very similar place.

But in particular, when my Ranger was delivered my first impression of the 'ride' was - and I said this to my wife - it reminded me of the ride of a late-'fifties Buick LeSabre.

Lol, all this talk of member's Rangers riding like vintage GM iron brings back memories of riding with my Uncle in his '66 Lincoln from LA to Vegas.
It rode like a dream at speeds I had never before travelled in any car (100 mph+), but any change in direction at normal speed would send the poor bias-ply tires a howling.

 

[Glocker]

Fingers crossed. Although I'm not really expecting this to go my way. I'm dragging the wife to a dealership tomorrow to test drive one of three trucks in my area that I like. 2019 Ranger XL STX FX4 in blue. One of the other ones is an exact match in white but about $3000 less expensive. I like the blue better but is it worth the extra $$$? Does it even matter if I can't get the wife on board? LOL

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Fingers crossed. Although I'm not really expecting this to go my way. I'm dragging the wife to a dealership tomorrow to test drive one of three trucks in my area that I like. 2019 Ranger XL STX FX4 in blue. One of the other ones is an exact match in white but about $3000 less expensive. I like the blue better but is it worth the extra $$$? Does it even matter if I can't get the wife on board? LOL

Hi John,

Best of luck to you! Let us know your wife's thumbs up ? or thumbs down ?...

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[AzScorpion]

Fingers crossed. Although I'm not really expecting this to go my way. I'm dragging the wife to a dealership tomorrow to test drive one of three trucks in my area that I like. 2019 Ranger XL STX FX4 in blue. One of the other ones is an exact match in white but about $3000 less expensive. I like the blue better but is it worth the extra $$$? Does it even matter if I can't get the wife on board? LOL

Let your wife test drive it too. She might be on board after she gets to see how it drives and not just sitting in the passengers seat. My girlfriend doesn't know anything about trucks but as soon as she got into my Ranger she LOVED it and even more so once she actually drove it. She's never driven a truck before and now wants to drive it all the time. That might have been a mistake. lol Good Luck!

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