4x4 or FX4

[AzScorpion]

Fx4 is an off-road package, shopping cart is not your typical off-road obstacle. Not sure Fx4 will off enough protection against the dreaded shopping cart. ?

I think Marc is planning a few mods for his Ranger that he hasn't told us about. lol

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[NOVA_Ranger]

If you're looking to save some money the non-FX4 will be fine for the average owner, even with typical off-road use. The FX4 package will help resale to some extent, and the features it provides are nice/cool, but it isn't absolutely necessary.

 

[gfitzge2]

That sticker is great! Where'd you get it?

On topic: I have a 4X4 and honestly, at this point, I probably would've been just fine with a 4X2 with an electronic rear differential locker. My truck has that too and locking the rear differential almost always is enough to get me moving. Could've saved me a big chunk of change.

Here. 24" size

https://www.ebay.com/itm/TWO-RANGER-DECALS-FORD-TRUCK-SIDE-GRAPHICS-PICK-SIZE-AND-COLOR/153472713612?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

[Floyd]

Thank you all for the feedback. The electronic locking differential is selling me on the FX4. May just have to order what I want if something that fits the bill doesn't appear on the lots near me first.

You can get the locker as a stand alone option... even on 2WD.
They even make an FX2.
The 2WD might do just fine, depending on what you mean by "mild offroad adventures".
2WD with a locker will go anywhere that even once pretended to be a road.
To me it sounds like 4X4 would be your best choice maybe with the locker.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

You can get the locker as a stand alone option... even on 2WD.
They even make an FX2.
The 2WD might do just fine, depending on what you mean by "mild offroad adventures".
2WD with a locker will go anywhere that even once pretended to be a road.
To me it sounds like 4X4 would be your best choice maybe with the locker.

The 4WD is also nice for snow and winter conditions. But since OP lives in St. Louis, they don't get much at all and 2WD would be fine for that as well.

 

[Floyd]

The 4WD is also nice for snow and winter conditions. But since OP lives in St. Louis, they don't get much at all and 2WD would be fine for that as well.

Over 50years of Chicagoland winters, mostly 30mile commute on country roads, Never needed or wanted 4WD.
I hear some need it though.
Also, This truck has lots more ground clearance than my Pinto too.
The only reason I could see to justify 4WD is at boat launch ramps which are often wet and steeper than necessary.
Then no need for FX4.
That's what's nice about the Ranger... There's one for every need or want.

I'm just glad they made a 2WD SuperCab or I would still be driving my 20YO Ranger.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Phil's Back Story On the FX4 Brand

Hi RR,

Thanks for posting the link.... ?

Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co Retired

 

[Floyd]

True Story: A couple of years ago, driving my 2014 Explorer to work at about five in the morning, I ran over a shopping cart (I know, what was it doing on the freeway!) and punctured a tire. Managed to park the Explorer nearby and got a cab to work (on time, barely). The moral of the story, which I drew right away, was that my next vehicle was going to designed for off-road, even though I never go off-road, just in case something like this ever happens again. So I got the FX4 version of the Lariat, just for the peace of mind in knowing that I am ready for anything.

Once I was driving through Wyatt Missouri on my way to Wickliffe Kentucky, just exploring a few backroads on my way back to Metropolis Illinois.
Just a few miles out of Wyatt, I approached the Mississippi river.
To my surprise, I found that neither KY nor MO. had built a bridge on that highway to cross the river.

My truck had no wings to fly and no amphibious hull to float, so I had to backtrack north to the main highway at Cairo to cross the river.
Now, I know that both flying cars and amphibious cars have been built and that either would have gotten me across the river at Wickliffe... but I decided that it was a lot easier to take this one time detour than to outfit my next vehicle with either capability.

My point is twofold....
To inject a little humor and to show that it is not really practical to prepare for every remote contingency.

 

[Deleted member 1634]

Over 50years of Chicagoland winters, mostly 30mile commute on country roads, Never needed or wanted 4WD.
I hear some need it though.
Also, This truck has lots more ground clearance than my Pinto too.
The only reason I could see to justify 4WD is at boat launch ramps which are often wet and steeper than necessary.
Then no need for FX4.
That's what's nice about the Ranger... There's one for every need or want.

I'm just glad they made a 2WD SuperCab or I would still be driving my 20YO Ranger.

Yeah, I can see not necessarily needing it in the Chicago area either. It is certainly a nice thing to have here in Northern Minnesota and the UP of Michigan, where we travel to a lot, though. Came in handy when I had to go get gas for the snowblower in the middle of clearing 20"+ of wet heavy snow. We can certainly agree it's not for everyone, but I'm happy I decided to get the FX4 package.

 

[RamblinnMann]

Thank you all for the feedback. The electronic locking differential is selling me on the FX4. May just have to order what I want if something that fits the bill doesn't appear on the lots near me first.

There's also the FX2 option now, where you get the locking differential and the added bells and whistles of the FX4 (skid plates, etc...) but only RWD. I saw a few of those at the dealership!

 

[Floyd]

Yeah, I can see not necessarily needing it in the Chicago area either. It is certainly a nice thing to have here in Northern Minnesota and the UP of Michigan, where we travel to a lot, though. Came in handy when I had to go get gas for the snowblower in the middle of clearing 20"+ of wet heavy snow. We can certainly agree it's not for everyone, but I'm happy I decided to get the FX4 package.

Apparently you've never visited rural Northern Illannoy in winter ( no big loss)
Actually it is not uncommon to see a 4020 tractor with a snowplow stuck in the road or to have to use payloaders to remove giant drifts across the road. Once I got my Pinto stuck only because the drifts were higher than my hood and the snow packed under the hood and pushed my timing belt off.
Mind you, I have nothing against 4WD for others and only hope the hubs are better on the gen 5 than on the gen 4 Ranger.
In 35 years at the refinery I didn't miss enough work to pay for the option even once, in fact not even the fuel difference.
Nowadays I can't see the snow drifts from Sebring when biking, unless I stop and look at my phone.

So now its visit Florida in the winter and visit Minnesota only in the Summer!

BTW, I lived in Duluth for a while when I was a kid and my brother was in the Air Force. I remember that they used to put orange styrofoam balls on their car antennas so they could see them at intersections. We often get blizzards around here but they don't hang around near as much as where you live. You can certainly use 4WD to go uphill in Duluth ... Downhill in Duluth? I guess you just have to hit something!

 

[TheKracka]

You can get the locker as a stand alone option... even on 2WD.
They even make an FX2.
The 2WD might do just fine, depending on what you mean by "mild offroad adventures".
2WD with a locker will go anywhere that even once pretended to be a road.
To me it sounds like 4X4 would be your best choice maybe with the locker.

If I end up ordering one this will be the way to go for sure. The locker is the only thing I like in the FX4 package. Tires, shocks, and skids I can get aftermarket. Probably do at least a leveling kit anyways. Was thinking I might be able to score a better deal if I found something sitting on the lot with the options I certainly want.

Have had 2wd trucks in the past and they're no beuno in winter with the hilly curvy roads where I reside. Better off with FWD and good tires. Like to go camp and play by the rivers and often enough 4wd's get stuck in these area's.

 

[TheKracka]

I didn’t care for the FX4 pkg ride and honestly I will never take it off road. The extra cost was a concern too.
I ordered my Ranger with 4X4 only using the savings for the 501a pkg and locking diff.

Hmm, I'll have to look into this, unsure of what the 501a package is.

 

[gfitzge2]

Hmm, I'll have to look into this, unsure of what the 501a package is.

Note the 501A is an option on the Lariet


The 501A Equipment Group includes all 500A content plus the following features:

• B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen with HD Radio™ (SuperCrew® only)

• Ten(10) Speakers and Subwoofer (SuperCrew® only)

• Technology Package - Adaptive Cruise Control, Navigation System

• Rain-Sensing Wipers

• Remote Start

• Windshield Wiper De-Icer

 

[Doublestack00]

To me the biggest thing is getting a locking rear diff. Adding it later will be $1500-2000 vs the $450 dealer option.

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