Back Story On the FX4 Brand

[P. A. Schilke]

Ha, I was going to remove my FX4 decals tomorrow. Not now.



Totally agree, but maybe a sub-forum, a thread for each story. Great stuff.

Hi D,

Forum member KJ complied a list of back stories here. I had thought to just leave the stories in the thread, but the compilation of some of them might be appropriate since I am no spring chicken anymore and who knows how long I will be on this side of the dirt....

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

Best,
Phil

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[Mokume]

Hi Jeff,

It would appear as a marketing Spin Off with the FX2 content unkonwn by me as to what it entails beyond the side decal....

Best,
Phil

Aloha Phil,

Taken from a 2020 sales brochure:

"FX2 Package (4x2): off-road tuned suspension,
electronic-locking rear differential, off-road OWL
tires, FX2 box decals, and off-road display in
instrument cluster productivity screen"

I can't verify the package's merits (if any), my 2020 Lariat S/Cab has been driven all of 420 miles in the 26 months I've owned it, I do like the swoopy bed decals on it however...lol

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Does the "F" and "X" stand for anything ? ?

Hi NB,

Not that I recall....Marketing came up with the idea...Just like the Merkur XR4Ti for example... It was never explained to me and I did not care other than to do a real product that was a cut above the standard 4x4.... No idea of what STX is either...

I think I told this story before... Back in the day of the SCCA Race Truck series that I inadvertently created, I dealt with SVO, Special Vehicle Operation, Ford's racing arm. They did some vehicle mods but mostly sold parts and managed Ford's racing support... SVO did not make a lot of sense when compared to Toyota Racing Development or TURD or TRD for short... So there was a discussion of which I was in attendance. It was proposed the the racing/performance parts be called Ford Advanced Racing Technology...FART... Um...We got Turds and farts.....NOPE....not going to work...So it became Ford Racing until the reorg and now is Ford Performance....Sheesh!

Best,
Phil

 

[Mokume]

Phil you maybe able to confirm if this story is true. I attempted to send you a message on this topic but I'm not allowed to for some reason.
I spent some quality time working in the auto industry myself. 9 years at Toyota Technical Center in Torrance CA working in the NVH Lab. During this part of my career I heard stories about major malfunctions and classic screw ups at other car companies. Maybe you can confirm if this story is true.
This happened at Ford during a Senior Management review of the pre production vehicle that would become the two seater sport compact called the EXP on the Escort platform.
At this time the vehicle was a 4 seat hatchback. With any management review there is large group jockeying for chance to sit in the car. Both doors are open and the rear hatch is open.
One of the senior VPs was in the rear seat checking out the leg room when someone else decided to close the rear hatch.
This VP was tall enough to experience the negative clearance for headroom when the hatch was closed.
The VP was knocked out cold and the EXP instantly became a two seater.
Any Truth to this Story???
Sincerely,
Dan Y, retired vehicle development engineer

When I first saw Mercury's version of that car it instantly reminded me of a football players helmet on wheels...lol

 

[Bob902]

Hi NB,

Not that I recall....Marketing came up with the idea...Just like the Merkur XR4Ti for example... It was never explained to me and I did not care other than to do a real product that was a cut above the standard 4x4.... No idea of what STX is either...

I think I told this story before... Back in the day of the SCCA Race Truck series that I inadvertently created, I dealt with SVO, Special Vehicle Operation, Ford's racing arm. They did some vehicle mods but mostly sold parts and managed Ford's racing support... SVO did not make a lot of sense when compared to Toyota Racing Development or TURD or TRD for short... So there was a discussion of which I was in attendance. It was proposed the the racing/performance parts be called Ford Advanced Racing Technology...FART... Um...We got Turds and farts.....NOPE....not going to work...So it became Ford Racing until the reorg and now is Ford Performance....Sheesh!

Best,
Phil

I've always wondered why someone would want Turd on the side of their truck.......

 

[AzScorpion]

I've always wondered why someone would want Turd on the side of their truck.......

Have you see the people driving them? ?

 

[Bob902]

Have you see the people driving them? ?

Nuff said!

 

[AzScorpion]

Nuff said!

? Now that I think about it I had a 2016. ?

 

[P. A. Schilke]

I've always wondered why someone would want Turd on the side of their truck.......

Hi Bob,

Evey time I see the TRD...I just can't think why anyone would want that sticker on their vehicle....

Best,
Phil

 

[YuG-RegnaR-22']

Does the "F" and "X" stand for anything ? ?

Four X (by) 4

That's what I always thought of it..?‍

 

[Bob902]

Four X (by) 4

That's what I always thought of it..?‍

Nah. That would make sense and is way too easy!!!?

 

[Dhass68]

FX4=Ford Xperimental 4x4

 

[peterson1604]

Hi Folks,

Maybe some folks will be interested in how the FX4 Brand came about. Ford Marketing came to Ranger Vehicle Engineering with a concept for a new model for Ranger. This would be a new decal to denote an advanced 4x4 Ranger. I was interested, but having been mislead so many times before, I was suspicious it was a paper tiger. Marketing made their pitch. mild tweaks that were undefined as Marketing knows little about 4x4.

We took the opportunity to really put teeth into the FX4. I proposed a 4x4 that would out perform current offerings. Marketing was not receptive. So adressing the Chief Program Engineer, I told him to give me 4 weeks to build a one off prototype. he agreed.

I cut a Ranger 4x4 from the heard, and headed to Livernoise Engineering, who had a contract with Ford for garage services. We had Livernoise install Torsen differentials front and rear. Then I had my vehicle dynamics engineer, Doug S. tune the suspension. Doug was part of my off-road racing team, and had learned how to develop a potent suspension.

Doug and I took this vehicle out to the Romeo Proving Grounds to the 4x4 course. The Ranger performance was amazing.

Back in Dearborn, I handed the keys to the Chief Program Engineer for an overnight drive. I couldn't sleep that night, but the next day, he told me this truck drove better than his Lincoln.

Top brass in Truck wanted to drive our creation, and we received accolades.

Thus, the FX4 Brand was created and to this day some 20 years, means more than just a decal on the pickup box.

When I look at the FX4 on my 2019 Ranger, I am proud that it still means it is a cut above.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co Retired

Awesome story Phil, thanks for sharing.

 

[Mokume]

Have you see the people driving them? ?

I see them quite frequently in Honolulu, they are also known as Tacomas...

 

[scarchild35]

Hi Jeff,

It would appear as a marketing Spin Off with the FX2 content unkonwn by me as to what it entails beyond the side decal....

Best,
Phil

Hi Phil,
I'm the proud owner of a 22 Scab FX2 and LOVE IT! Per Ford, the FX2 package gives you the electronic locking diff, off road tuned suspension, front toe hooks, off road screen in the gauge cluster, all terrain tires and the cheap imitation plastic "Skid plate" on the front. Oh and the decals of course. It was a must have for me. It was a $595.00 upgrade and we'll worth it to me.
I love my truck. I love the style.

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