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Why order an FX4 package after reading this forum?

Wes Siler

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The Tremor includes all the FX-4 goodies and only runs $2900 more than the FX-4 package.

For that you get wheels at $1000 from Ford, Tires at $1080 from Tire Rack, a leveling kit (basically) at $1400 from Fox, and progressive rate multi leaf springs at $300 from Ebay.

Despite the fact that the suspension doesn't meet your "tough like kangaroo" standards. And knowing that no matter what you do to it the Ranger will never be "the ultimate offroading vehicle" like your Outback. The Ranger Tremor, does indeed represent a good value.

Not that I'd expect a review for hire "journalist" to know anything about value. Did you even pay for this Ranger? Or was it free like the last one?
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Jealousy is such a bad look.
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sklnbnz

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Not trying to be a dick, just curious why someone would pay more for this despite, it seems, a lot of FX4 owners on here immediately paying $500-2000 to swap out/upgrade the suspension.
We have a Rear Locker on our XLT Sport 4x4 which is a MUST, upgraded the suspension for $1500 which we would have done anyway FX4 or not and added the Terrain Management switch (enabled it and off road modes with Forscan). Only thing we don't get is Trail Control which we don't need and last I checked there is not a forscan hack for that yet. Would have put the aftermarket skids that we have on it as well.
 

AvockAdoo

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The Tremor includes all the FX-4 goodies and only runs $2900 more than the FX-4 package.

For that you get wheels at $1000 from Ford, Tires at $1080 from Tire Rack, a leveling kit (basically) at $1400 from Fox, and progressive rate multi leaf springs at $300 from Ebay.

Despite the fact that the suspension doesn't meet your "tough like kangaroo" standards. And knowing that no matter what you do to it the Ranger will never be "the ultimate offroading vehicle" like your Outback. The Ranger Tremor, does indeed represent a good value.

Not that I'd expect a review for hire "journalist" to know anything about value. Did you even pay for this Ranger? Or was it free like the last one?
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This is kind of a weird mindset man. Like yes, MSRP on the wheels and tires might be $2080, but the FX-4 doesnt come WITHOUT wheels and tires, and the extra set certainly isnt thrown into the bed when you drive off the lot.

Same logic with the suspension, except its a mass produced, mid-tier suspension, and can be done WAY better for the money you're quoting. You dont get both options when you up the spec, its a bad comparison.
 

Wes Siler

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We have a Rear Locker on our XLT Sport 4x4 which is a MUST, upgraded the suspension for $1500 which we would have done anyway FX4 or not and added the Terrain Management switch (enabled it and off road modes with Forscan). Only thing we don't get is Trail Control which we don't need and last I checked there is not a forscan hack for that yet. Would have put the aftermarket skids that we have on it as well.
Try trail control on somebody else's truck sometime. Not saying you need it or should have it, but it's worth learning about.

We've got a really steep driveway at our place in Glacier that turns 180 degrees at the steepest section. Getting up or down that when it's icy, with a fully loaded truck, is so, so much less sketchy using TC. And that's just a simple driveway as one example. Another good one was I had to climb a crazy steep miles long grade down by the grand canyon last spring. Very rocky, very bumpy. Trying to modulate the throttle myself was very jerky. But setting TC to 10mph just smoothed it out nicely.
 


Pinepig

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Factory skids are a joke IMO.

They're put on so Salesmen can blow hot air up the ass of the average buyer.

Anyone who NEEDS skidplates is going to immideately buy aftermarket and throw the stock pieces in their neighbors pool.
I can understand your sentiment towards the stock skid plates, no they are not designed to pivot the truck around while perched on a big bolder but they will protect the pans of the engine/tranny and TC for at least one good hit if you got your line wrong that would have other wise wrote those very expensive assemblies into almost worthless recyclables. Peace of mind for very little extra outlay.

Why would I outlay a bunch of cash for 3/16 or better skidplates for the bottom of a midsized pickup that would need THOUSANDS of dollars of suspension work to equal the ability of a STOCK $6k or less POS Jeep wrangler bought from your local crackhead on craigslist.
 

D Fresh

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This is kind of a weird mindset man. Like yes, MSRP on the wheels and tires might be $2080, but the FX-4 doesnt come WITHOUT wheels and tires, and the extra set certainly isnt thrown into the bed when you drive off the lot.

Same logic with the suspension, except its a mass produced, mid-tier suspension, and can be done WAY better for the money you're quoting. You dont get both options when you up the spec, its a bad comparison.
Odd.

I'm pretty sure that if you were looking to swap wheels and tires for the Raptor wheels and Grabbers you'd still have your stock wheels and tires, right?

If you knew somebody that was going to buy an FX-4 and was planning on Raptor wheels, 1 size up tires, and a Fox level for it you wouldn't suggest a Tremor?

You'd be fool to spend money doing that aftermarket rather than factory at 75% of the price.

Am I to take it you drive a base Ranger? You know Ford doesn't credit you the steelies on your Sport Package, right? Or tech package, you do know you didn't get credit for the base Radio when you bought the upgraded sound system, right? You could get a much better option for cheaper from the aftermarket.

What you are talking about is exactly how EVERY single factory option works.

If you're not driving a base model Ranger, not only do you understand my point. But you fully agree and endorse my point.
 
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P. A. Schilke

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I can understand your sentiment towards the stock skid plates, no they are not designed to pivot the truck around while perched on a big bolder but they will protect the pans of the engine/tranny and TC for at least one good hit if you got your line wrong that would have other wise wrote those very expensive assemblies into almost worthless recyclables. Peace of mind for very little extra outlay.

Why would I outlay a bunch of cash for 3/16 or better skidplates for the bottom of a midsized pickup that would need THOUSANDS of dollars of suspension work to equal the ability of a STOCK $6k or less POS Jeep wrangler bought from your local crackhead on craigslist.
Hi Charlie,

Since I was behind the FX4 at Ford, the brand shows off road capability beyond the non FX4. It is a more supple suspension and most folks looking for a Boulevard ride, the complaint is too bouncy, aka Underdamped. FX4 means better off road performance..not extreme off road or Rock Crawling. Although my FX4 prototypes did some rock crawling in the hands of some extreme rock crawling folks in Moab, which gave high marks for a stock truck.

So I did the suspension with my engineer Doug S. Marketing packaged the option into skid plates and decals as well as chassis upgrades.

The brand continues the heritage that Doug and I created.

BTW, The first FX4 Rangers supported the day after 9/11... Recap of details are here in a thread by KJ

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/p-a-schilke-back-stories.18745/

Best,
Phil
 

Whiplash

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Or just go straight to a Punisher decal ?
The Punnisher Decals require $7K in full suspension make over to mid travel 2.5 adjustable, remote reservoirs, Billet UCA 's , Billet tie rod ends, and progressive leaf spring pack with the shorter bump stops..
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maxbottomtime

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Odd.

I'm pretty sure that if you were looking to swap wheels and tires for the Raptor wheels and Grabbers you'd still have your stock wheels and tires, right?

If you knew somebody that was going to buy an FX-4 and was planning on Raptor wheels, 1 size up tires, and a Fox level for it you wouldn't suggest a Tremor?

You'd be fool to spend money doing that aftermarket rather than factory at 75% of the price.

Am I to take it you drive a base Ranger? You know Ford doesn't credit you the steelies on your Sport Package, right? Or tech package, you do know you didn't get credit for the base Radio when you bought the upgraded sound system, right? You could get a much better option for cheaper from the aftermarket.

What you are talking about is exactly how EVERY single factory option works.

If you're not driving a base model Ranger, not only do you understand my point. But you fully agree and endorse my point.
Some options are worth it. The lariat premium for my year was definitely worth the price difference. Leather, audio upgrade, led headlights... definitely worth the few grand. Wish I could have ordered in a reasonable time frame.
 

Pinepig

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Hi Charlie,

Since I was behind the FX4 at Ford, the brand shows off road capability beyond the non FX4. It is a more supple suspension and most folks looking for a Boulevard ride, the complaint is too bouncy, aka Underdamped. FX4 means better off road performance..not extreme off road or Rock Crawling. Although my FX4 prototypes did some rock crawling in the hands of some extreme rock crawling folks in Moab, which gave high marks for a stock truck.

So I did the suspension with my engineer Doug S. Marketing packaged the option into skid plates and decals as well as chassis upgrades.

The brand continues the heritage that Doug and I created.

BTW, The first FX4 Rangers supported the day after 9/11... Recap of details are here in a thread by KJ

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/p-a-schilke-back-stories.18745/

Best,
Phil
I understand that Phil ( and I read that thread ), I love my FX4 Ranger, it's a great truck. I'd still pick one over the Toyota taco that everybody seems to love ( I have no idea why ). I've wheeled it in some pretty good spots in Nor-Cal, it's been on 3 wheels more than a handful of times. I was just making a point to a guy who was insinuating that the stock skid plates were worthless and should be thrown in the trash. I think they are fine compromise between nothing and bulletproof but weigh #250 or more pounds. That being said, if I'm going out to the Rubicon I'm not taking my Ranger. I have a Jeep or two for that kinda crap.
 

MrBirdman330

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Some options are worth it. The lariat premium for my year was definitely worth the price difference. Leather, audio upgrade, led headlights... definitely worth the few grand. Wish I could have ordered in a reasonable time frame.
Why I went simple with the STX Special Edition, I went from a loaded Grand Cherokee to a base truck, still got 8 inch touch screen and Sat Radio. Android Auto allows me Navigation, otherwise it's no frills and let's me build more my way. I've done all of the work on it myself.
 

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I can understand your sentiment towards the stock skid plates, no they are not designed to pivot the truck around while perched on a big bolder but they will protect the pans of the engine/tranny and TC for at least one good hit if you got your line wrong that would have other wise wrote those very expensive assemblies into almost worthless recyclables. Peace of mind for very little extra outlay.

Why would I outlay a bunch of cash for 3/16 or better skidplates for the bottom of a midsized pickup that would need THOUSANDS of dollars of suspension work to equal the ability of a STOCK $6k or less POS Jeep wrangler bought from your local crackhead on craigslist.
This man gets it. If I'm headed out to tackle some gnarly stuff I'm taking my POS YJ before my $40k truck.

I realy enjoy my Jeep but if it rolled off a cliff I wouldn't feel like throwing myself after it like I would my truck.

As such, for the use my truck gets the factory FX-4 plates are more than sufficient. Mild trails, camping, daily driving, hauling household crap, shuttling the dogs around, and towing the occasional trailer do not require plates resembling level 4 body armor. I'd guess that would go for 90% or more of us.

Some options are worth it. The lariat premium for my year was definitely worth the price difference. Leather, audio upgrade, led headlights... definitely worth the few grand. Wish I could have ordered in a reasonable time frame.
You're preaching to the choir here bud. My truck had every box checked except factory spray in liner.
 

AvockAdoo

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Odd.

I'm pretty sure that if you were looking to swap wheels and tires for the Raptor wheels and Grabbers you'd still have your stock wheels and tires, right?

If you knew somebody that was going to buy an FX-4 and was planning on Raptor wheels, 1 size up tires, and a Fox level for it you wouldn't suggest a Tremor?

You'd be fool to spend money doing that aftermarket rather than factory at 75% of the price.

Am I to take it you drive a base Ranger? You know Ford doesn't credit you the steelies on your Sport Package, right? Or tech package, you do know you didn't get credit for the base Radio when you bought the upgraded sound system, right? You could get a much better option for cheaper from the aftermarket.

What you are talking about is exactly how EVERY single factory option works.

If you're not driving a base model Ranger, not only do you understand my point. But you fully agree and endorse my point.
You're making my exact point. The $3800 or whatever it costs to upgrade to the tremor package, IMO is a complete waste of money. In the aftermarket you can get the exact tires, wheels, and suspension that you want for $3800 or less, and still have all of your stuck stuff to sell to the highest bidder on marketplace. All in you're probably more like $2800 or $2400 once you sell what you took off.

My point is, the tremor package represents bad value, and looking at it as "you get $XX of stuff for a $500 discount!" is just bad economics, straight through. But, Ford knows people are lazy, and a lot of people dont want to fuss with their truck after they buy it, so sell them a turn key "off roader" and they can go park on snowbanks at the mall.
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