Difference between a FX4 or a 4x4?

[OrangeStreak]

I know I am probably labeled a K02 fanboy already, but I think those tires are just about perfect for a truck like ours. When I switched from Duratracs (which are fabulous tires, but suffer from a couple negatives that are noticeable), the K02's are like, ahhhh... that's better.

I agree...most of the KO2 reviews also show they are long wearing.

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[Squatchranger]

There is nothing with-in 1,000 miles of here like those pics. Mine will be just a grocery-getter, run around about here, just piddling. With the money I'll be spending,, I want a nice ride to enjoy. Maybe I should look at the Tremor,,,,,,

Tremor is overkill for what you would be doing I would get a sport 4x4 if you really need 4wd and if you don't like the ride feel which can be a bit floaty even doing just the rear shocks will make a night and day difference going tremor you will be paying for a lot of extra stuff you won't want or use its not gonna be cost effective

 

[Squatchranger]

I have an STX with the standard suspension and I'm perfectly happy with it. I don't off-road anymore but I have 4x4 for getting around in the winter and wet boat ramps with my jet ski. I have to take 12 miles of hilly windy cowpath road before I hit the main highway to get to work and 4 months a year it can be a little crazy sometimes.
The FX4 gets you skidplates, off-roady shocks that everyone complains about, and Terrain Management. TM has a snow feature but if you're any kind of a decent driver, you shouldn't need it. If I was ordering I would have got a locker but I got by fine without one for 13 years in my old Sport Trac, no limited-slip but traction control and stability control like the Ranger.

Its important to note that fx4 gets you a locker too, you can still have skid plates and stuff with non fx4, my sport 4x4 has slightly smaller front one but the rest are the same for example

 

[Squatchranger]

If you plan to do more than gravel roads fx4 and add Eibach, Bilstien or Fox in your favorite flavor. Also budget for better tires than the Hankooks. Personally I would not buy a 4x4 without at least a rear locker, but thats just me.

Does the FX4 ride rougher than a standard 4x4? I have always liked to have a 4x4,, just in case I need it,, so,,,, it's gonna be a 4x4. However,, I do understand there is some doubt about the ride value. Is the ride of an FX4 really rougher than a standard 4x4?

its more so bouncy, the fx4 shocks are tuned for offroad and have a pretty heavy rebound so especially in the back end and even more so with an empty bed they can feel very bouncy and floaty

 

[Squatchranger]

4x4 Lariat, electronic locking rear and Bilstein 4600 shocks-struts all around get my vote. Despite the image, my Ranger is non-leveled. New shocks/struts aren't cheap but well worth it, especially on rough, unimproved roads. My Lariat:

Yeah if nothing else even just swapping the rears will make a huge difference, and I gotta tell you man I normally hate chrome but in that light with that white your truck looks absolutely stunning

 

[D Fresh]

Shock valving is based on percentages. Most shocks are 50/50, i.e. the compression and rebound forces are equal. Now for example, most drag race cars run 90/10 shocks in the front, 90% compression and 10% rebound, to allow the front end to rise easily for weight transfer to the rear. From the way people describe it, I'm thinking the FX4 shocks are maybe more like 40/60, soft on compression to absorb bumps off-road and more rebound to keep the tires on the earth after they are compressed. Maybe good for off-road but not necessarily the best for on-road.

Just an educated guess, I am not a suspension engineer and I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Also I wonder how many Ranger owners came from cars and SUV's and simply weren't expecting the stiffer ride that a truck gives you. If you think these trucks are bad I can point you to one of the Rangers I had previously, a 2002 Off-Road Package with shocks as big as my calves and rode like a cement mixer. I went from that to my first Sport Trac and it felt like I'd stepped into a Town Car.

It's very well possible. Problem with the Ranger's suspension is the shocks don't match the springs.

 

[Squatchranger]

personal experience aside, show some data to back up what your ass feels. its that simple.

I do have to say having driven all 3 configurations technically 4 as my suspension got swapped the fx4 shocks do feel very bouncy and floaty, the back end is significantly less composed and planted tremor is second best behind doing a full suspension job but as someone who does high speed and mud and some climbing and having experienced all 4 configs at minimum on the high speed offroad fx4 feels borderline scary

 

[Squatchranger]

SO,,,,this to perspective,, get a FX4 or a Tremor for the best ride around town? That sounds good to me, thanks for replying, I just needed a little help with this. I guess now I need to lookup the Eibach shocks,,

Fox shocks are a good option too, i wouldnt necessarily get the ford kit but fox ones definitely feel real nice on the road

 

[widetrax]

Yes th

Fox shocks are a good option too, i wouldnt necessarily get the ford kit but fox ones definitely feel real nice on the road

Yes they do,, I had put a set of the Fox shocks on a 2016 F-150 and they improved the ride considerably.

 

[Squatchranger]

Yes th

Yes they do,, I had put a set of the Fox shocks on a 2016 F-150 and they improved the ride considerably.

For your purposes I would say doing a nice lariat 501a sport or black appearance whatever pack u want with basic 4x4 and the locker if you need it and then going in and doing a suspension job if you don't love the feel of the stock is the best option. The tremor pack is 4300 and fx4 is like 1300. 4300 will get you a super nice setup suspension wise install and have money to buy a damper and probably some left over. As you said its a mall crawler, nothing wrong with that but getting an offroad centered package would be a misuse of resources imo. As others have said going aftermarket is gonna be lightyears better than anything you get from factory. Frenchy loves old man emu and from what I have seen their setups are top notch doing a full kit from them or someone else would be what I did if I were you.

 

[Floyd]

why do you want 4x4 in MS if you don’t offroad. 4x4 and 4x2 have the same engines and same “power”.

Actually more power due to less weight and drive train, plus a better ride and handling.(on road)
This truck is well engineered in all forms, its just true that each has its compromises.
Plus the 4X2 (dollar for dollar) gives you at least the first 20,000 miles of fuel for free, even at today's prices.

 

[widetrax]

For your purposes I would say doing a nice lariat 501a sport or black appearance whatever pack u want with basic 4x4 and the locker if you need it and then going in and doing a suspension job if you don't love the feel of the stock is the best option. The tremor pack is 4300 and fx4 is like 1300. 4300 will get you a super nice setup suspension wise install and have money to buy a damper and probably some left over. As you said its a mall crawler, nothing wrong with that but getting an offroad centered package would be a misuse of resources imo. As others have said going aftermarket is gonna be lightyears better than anything you get from factory. Frenchy loves old man emu and from what I have seen their setups are top notch doing a full kit from them or someone else would be what I did if I were you.

So you are allowing me too get the standard 4x4 and change the rear shocks if needed?? T

Actually more power due to less weight and drive train, plus a better ride and handling.(on road)
This truck is well engineered in all forms, its just true that each has its compromises.
Plus the 4X2 (dollar for dollar) gives you at least the first 20,000 miles of fuel for free, even at today's prices.

Yes,, but I want a 4x4,,,

 

[AzScorpion]

im just a schmuck dave, I dont have a higher standard to uphold.

As for my off road resume, which i am sure you wont even recognize as valid, and I'm sure others will troll me for as well, I'll give you the free pass on that.
no, I dont know the Rangers offroad capabilities with the FX4 as much as I do the F150. The Ranger has only seen a few trails that were more than gravel roads, but much less than I would consider a test for the suspension. Very similiar to your goat trails posted, just the canadian version.

For 20+ years, I worked the roads, trails and fresh construction of Northern alberta and BC, sometimes into the yukon and NWT. In company trucks, rental trucks and my own trucks year round.
These roads were oilfield roads. Many well maintained. or scratched earth pathways leading into new lease sites and in early stages of construction. Ever try sketchy muskeg? how about frost heaves?
Forestry roads as well, fresh cut with a Cat for logging, or fire fighting, as well as many single lane cuts travelled infrequently over the years since their original construction. They make the goat trails look like highways to be honest. You need a radio to drive them as the logging trucks take priority.

Once I was tasked with taking a surveyors Jeep up the side of a mountain so they could drive it back later in the week. 35 miles of single lane washed out switchback trail up through the valley and over the top to the other side.
Same job months later in the early part of winter, I had a 2WD Chevy rental with tire chains and had to go everywhere the 4X4's were going

Ice Roads? ever done them? sure the ice is flat and smooth, but not the land based portions.

I apologise if you even read this, as you might feel like an idiot now.

But yes, I have experience with my FX4's, lots of it and have little to no complaints of what I put it through. Compared to everything else i drove, the FX4 was on par or better. Far from garbage.

So you just admitted you don’t use your Rangers off road capabilities yet I do and I’m the one who’s supposed to feel like a fool?

 

[Squatchranger]

So you are allowing me too get the standard 4x4 and change the rear shocks if needed?? T

Yes,, but I want a 4x4,,,

With the money youd save not going tremor you could literally do a complete suspension job and have money left over, fx4 you could do a suspension job but the savings would only cover the parts not the install. If it were me in your situation I'd go full aftermarket and save the money. Rear shocks do make a big difference and are perfect for most ppl but as you said its your last truck if youre gonna go for it may as well go big and get the smoothest riding and most composed and pleasant truck you can, and that will mean doing an overhaul.

 

[AzScorpion]

Also if the Fx4 was so great then why did they use Fox on the Tremor?

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