KG

All,

First of all, I'm new to the F150 Forum, but have read hundreds of posts as a guest. I do not currently own an F150, but am in the market very soon. I'm hoping many of the knowledgeable minds on the forum can help guide me as I begin my F150 adventure. Thanks.

I've been shopping for an F150 for several months, and have landed somewhere between the XLT and the FX4 either brand new or slightly used. I work in an office for my day job, but like to go to the mountains, beach, hunting, camping, fishing, etc on weekends, so I'd like a truck that rides that line between 50+ highway miles daily and still handles nicely in snow / sand / dirt trails and minor off-road. While I'm not ultra green, fuel economy for commuting and making practical choices that way will be included as well (although I realize a truck, especially likely a slightly lifted one is nowhere near great gas mileage).

My goal is to go the white / black route with this truck...white truck with black wheels and accents. I like the look of a 4" lift, 20" wheels, 35" tires.

Mods I plan to do:

• 4" lift / level if I can't convince my wife haha
• PTM white door handles / tailgate handle / bumpers
• 20% tint all around
• custom badges
• Smittybilt M1 Mesh Rivet Grille (will likely modify the stock grill in the meantime)
• Nerf steps or AMP steps (Might start with Nerfs and upgrade later)
• Bakflip folding cover
• Bedrug bed liner
• FX2 Fender moulding painted to match white
• Recon Smoked tail lights and 3rd brake light
• 2013 tow mirrors (gotten used to driving with them on my father-in-laws Super Duty)
• Craven Speed stubby black billet antenna
• Exhaust (TBD)?
• Intake (TBD)?
• Tune (TBD)?

All this being said, please advise on the following:Any other thoughts / comments are welcome. Sorry for such a long post, and thanks for viewing. I look forward to feedback to help get my truck started. Thanks again.

Wanted33

Welcome to the forum Kyle. My suggestion by just looking is, if money is not a problem, go with the FX4 with the luxury package. It will cost more, but in the long run you will appreciate the extra's that come with this level of truck, especially when your in the woods. Those heated/cooled seats alone are great in my opinion. There are a lot of good deals now that the 2015 has been announced, and if you finance the rates are lower on new trucks. Good luck on your decision.

Toddman38

iTrader: (5)

Go with the FX4, wish I had! I like the look of the bumpers and door handles PTM vs Chrome and Unpainted, price difference was $1500 for me when New! But the Fx4 did only have cloth

Almgreaser

Go with an FX4.. I just bought a new XLT and regret it terribly. Biggest thing for me is wishing I had the fancy interior.

Gravelley

Definitely go with the FX4, don't get me wrong I love my XLT but the color coded bumpers and where you going white and black go fx4. Suspension isnt a whole lot different in the two biggest thing is your getting the locking rear differentials in the FX4 which I also wish I had on my XLT. For rims I just got a level in mine 2.5" and im going with 0 offset and 35s guys at the shop said this is a good set up for minimum trimming. But if you getting a lift your going to want to make you stance wider anyways. For the tires I don't know alot about them but form reading unless your going heavy heavy off road just go with a pro comp xtreme at or something similar. Very nice aggressive at tire which is quieter. Engine wise unless your doing alot of towing i have been told go with the 5.0 which is what i went with. Overall millage is no different in teh two, biggest thing you will notice is quicker of the start (Due to the turbos) and a quieter engine. hope that helps.

KG

Thanks all. Keep em coming, the feedback is great.

I like the FX4, which seems to be the consensus so far but I'm just unsure if the money saved by going with the XLT could be put towards Bakflip, Bed Rug and some color matching, and whether the suspension upgrade that comes with the FX4 is worth paying for if I lift / level anyway.

fastbydrmike

I went from XLT to FX2. Go with the FX4. I love the interior and I like the blacked out look. I don't need 4 wheel drive that is why I went with the 2. I found a 2010 with 13,000 miles and had to buy it. I had ordered a 2013 White FX2 with black wheels and stripes but canceled it due to the 10.

NASSTY

I went through the same dilemma before buying my 2011 FX4. I've never been into all of the luxury options and I don't like leather seats so all of my previous trucks have been XLTs. But when I priced out a stripped down FX4 with cloth seats it was less than $2k more than an XLT. I figured with the cost of getting the XLT bumpers and grill surround PTM'd plus buying HD/FX head and tail lights I'd be better off getting the FX4. I ended up getting the stripped down FX4. The only 2 options I checked off when ordering my truck was the 20" wheels and Ecoboost engine. I also ordered it without the rear sliding window. Although my last few trucks had them, I haven't used a rear sliding window since the 80's when I drove a regular cab so I didn't even want it.

Scrappy Doo

iTrader: (1)

Another vote for fx4.

But get the 3.73 gear

Wanted33

Kyle, the suspension is the same for both trucks. A 4x4 is a 4x4. And in my mind the money you pay for "color matching" items on the XLT will be twice the cost (unless you do it yourself, or have a family member to do it) so your really not saving money there. I'm gonna stick with recommending the FX4 with the luxury package. The other items can be bought, and added a bit at a time. Remember when the Wifey ask you what you want for Christmas, your birthday, etc. You would certainly have an answer if you go that way.


Remember, we're just giving you suggestions. It is ultimately your decision. But, as it's been said. Don't buy, then look back and say I wish. Like [MENTION=153843]Almgreaser[/MENTION], I did, and wasn't happy for day two. It cost me a ton to trade for what I should have got in the first place.