First time offroad with the fx4 report

[ctechbob]

If you're not planning on lifting the truck or doing bigger tires, you can do the Bilstein 4600 series and save some coin. Unless you just want the shiny shocks, the valving is the same.

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[Bthomas5456]

I hated the bounce of my FX4, like dropping off a normal height curb would leave the truck bouncing 4 times. Added the eibachs and it bounces once and settles. So much better, this should have been my 1st mod. The factory FX4 shocks were also leaking after only 4k miles.

 

[Trustable]

Did you air down all? It will make a huge difference airing down to 16-18 lbs. Without airing down your going to feel every rock and bounce off of them. I have the Fx4 package and I don't think it's all that bouncy as a lot of people claim it to be. Maybe I'm just use to it because all my F150's had it in the past.

Coming from a Focus, I don't really see what all the complaints are with the fx4 shocks. It may be a little wavy, but its a truck. I personally enjoy not having my brain bounce off my skull with every pothole like in my focus. Maybe its just me, but the Ranger rides way smoother than I thought it would and is certainly way quieter in the cab than I thought for an xlt.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Coming from a Focus, I don't really see what all the complaints are with the fx4 shocks. It may be a little wavy, but its a truck. I personally enjoy not having my brain bounce off my skull with every pothole like in my focus. Maybe its just me, but the Ranger rides way smoother than I thought it would and is certainly way quieter in the cab than I thought for an xlt.

I had no real complaints with the FX4 shocks either, but based on the feedback here I thought I'd give the Bilsteins a try as I do frequent some dirt roads.

Just driving down the road you won't notice much difference.

Where you WILL notice the difference is when you do anything that upsets or quickly changes the suspension, such as a rutted road or a fast lane change on the road.

In those instances you can feel the improvement as the truck is far more planted and you don't get the bobbing or swaying effect the FX4 shocks will give.

I feel the Bilsteins are a very worthy and noticeable upgrade for me.

Everyone has differing driving situations so YMMV..

 

[stringbreaker]

Throw those factory shocks in the trash. I had the Bilstein 5100's installed front and back and now I don't have to worry about my wife getting carsick anymore. Or me for that matter. I definitely would have gotten rid of the truck when the new model comes out if there had not been an upgrade for the shocks.

 

[Trustable]

I had no real complaints with the FX4 shocks either, but based on the feedback here I thought I'd give the Bilsteins a try as I do frequent some dirt roads.

Just driving down the road you won't notice much difference.

Where you WILL notice the difference is when you do anything that upsets or quickly changes the suspension, such as a rutted road or a fast lane change on the road.

In those instances you can feel the improvement as the truck is far more planted and you don't get the bobbing or swaying effect the FX4 shocks will give.

I feel the Bilsteins are a very worthy and noticeable upgrade for me.

Everyone has differing driving situations so YMMV..

Yeah I was a little worried from the time I ordered the truck back in February to the time I got it in may because of how many people on here said they were horrible. Maybe in 5 years or so I'll get a leveling kit with fox or something, but until then I'm more than happy with the fx4s

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Yeah I was a little worried from the time I ordered the truck back in February to the time I got it in may because of how many people on here said they were horrible. Maybe in 5 years or so I'll get a leveling kit with fox or something, but until then I'm more than happy with the fx4s

Hi Trustable,

What I see here on these forums is someone reports the FX4 is underdamped and bounce, and behold many folks climb on this wagon. I created the brand, FX4, and have one. I am experienced in Vehicle Dynamics and do not find the complaints are warranted, but why fight city hall. Thus the FX4 is maligned. So they play the shock game. The shock manufactures know full well that they have to make a change to make the customer believe that their purchase was worth the price. This game was in play for many years before the 5G Ranger. You buy a shock to do the job and pay the $ and cannot feel the change...Customer is very dissapointed...feel a change...yep, cost is justified. I just give these shock posts an eye roll...FX4 shocks are not junk IMO. A tiny bit of rebound control would have been better, but not all that bad.

Anyway...retreating to the flame proof bunker as this will outrage many folks. Please remember that this shock game had been around for more than 40 years before the 5G...

 

[Trustable]

Hi Trustable,

What I see here on these forums is someone reports the FX4 is underdamped and bounce, and behold many folks climb on this wagon. I created the brand, FX4, and have one. I am experienced in Vehicle Dynamics and do not find the complaints are warranted, but why fight city hall. Thus the FX4 is maligned. So they play the shock game. The shock manufactures know full well that they have to make a change to make the customer believe that their purchase was worth the price. This game was in play for many years before the 5G Ranger. You buy a shock to do the job and pay the $ and cannot feel the change...Customer is very dissapointed...feel a change...yep, cost is justified. I just give these shock posts an eye roll...FX4 shocks are not junk IMO. A tiny bit of rebound control would have been better, but not all that bad.

Anyway...retreating to the flame proof bunker as this will outrage many folks. Please remember that this shock game had been around for more than 40 years before the 5G...

Hey Phil,
Thanks for the reply! I have to agree with you that I think the fx4 shocks are more than adequate, I'm quite happy with the handling of the ranger as a whole! I may have to join you in that flame proof bunker lol.

 

[12Bravo20]

I'm another one that does not have a problem with the stock FX4 shocks. And the paved back roads here in Mid Missouri can be just as rough as some of the gravel roads are.

 

[Sardog]

Did you air down all? It will make a huge difference airing down to 16-18 lbs. Without airing down your going to feel every rock and bounce off of them. I have the Fx4 package and I don't think it's all that bouncy as a lot of people claim it to be. Maybe I'm just use to it because all my F150's had it in the past.

How did you air yours down, Is there a recommended method to do this?

 

[AutobotXJ]

The FX4 shocks were okay for me, I didn't notice much during the test drive and the ride back. It actually felt like I was driving a Cadillac or something. But, driving across the island was different- there is a very windy road that stretches for miles. Well, it made my son carsick and that was the first time he’s been carsick on that road! I wanted to get the Ford Performance leveling kit anyway, so I just did it sooner than expected. I immediately noticed a better ride and my son no longer gets sick on that road.

 

[Msfitoy]

Did you air down all? It will make a huge difference airing down to 16-18 lbs. Without airing down your going to feel every rock and bounce off of them. I have the Fx4 package and I don't think it's all that bouncy as a lot of people claim it to be. Maybe I'm just use to it because all my F150's had it in the past.

Exactly...first time I got onto Old NC105, I couldn't pull off fast enough to air down...it was like riding across boulders...drop down to 15 psi and things calmed downed nicely...get this...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M0L7JS2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

or this...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078T18YMC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[MXGOLF]

You are funny Phil. Very well taken points. I however did change to the Bilstein 5100's and that was the first thing I did to my truck within the first 4 months. I am so far very glad I did. The fronts are set to the middle setting so the front is more inline with the rear. I will never be a hard core off road hound. My truck it too nice to mess up with a large rock dent or something broken. I do have a off road tent trailer that is fantastic that I have towed twice now and can't wait to fully use it this summer to get off the grid and relax. Three trips one in July, August and September. Wah Whooooo.

 

[studiowild]

Have to say my experience with the stock FX4 shocks was not great. Super jouncy, especially side to side, and even more so in the rear as folks have pointed out.

Upgraded to the Fox 2.0s and it is vastly improved, plus the lift is great.

Wish I didn't have to spend the $2k but just wasn't satisfied running lots of miles off-road on the FX4.

 

[seanellaz]

So I drove the ranger offroad for first time to my cabin in the woods. The road the last 1/2 mile or so is quite rocky and bumpy. Gravel. Rocks sticking up. Etc. My last ride went up with less bouncing but I had to go up really slow. Otherwise it felt like I was going to damage it. It was a 2017 patriot 4,x4. But it didn't bounce as much as my Ranger did. I never felt like I was damaging the truck. It was just bouncing. Side to side. Coming down after the visit I used 4lo 1st. 18 degree hill. Never had to touch brake so I love that! I suppose the side to side is quite normal for trucks? My xterra doesn't do that. Thoughts?

I like the softer ride. I'd rather the truck soak the bumps than my spine. That said I did install the BDS 3.5" lift on my CrewCab Fx. It still rides fine w/ the new BDS Shocks on the rear

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