New 2014 FX4- background first then a few questions
10-09-2014, 10:57 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
New 2014 FX4- background first then a few questions
Recently traded my beloved 2012 FX4 screw with the 5.0 and 3.73's. It was tuxedo black, leveled, and had dick cepek torque wheels with 295 70 18 trail grapplers. The motor developed a pretty good knock at 29,000 miles. I pulled the wheels and tires and decided to trade it. That truck had awesome power and returned 15-16 mpg daily driving with the stock tires.
I traded to with the same dealer and they gave $31,000 trade in despite me using Xplan.
So this time I let the kids pick the color and they liked the race red. So I picked out an Appearance package FX4. It is loaded to the tilt including the bed extender and tailgate step. I got an Ecoboost this time with 3.55's. I've had it for a week and it has 255 miles. I leased this time (3 years 15k/ yr). Dealer was cool with a level and actually said I could do anything I wanted as long as the emissions system stays intact. I typically trade every 3 years so thought I'd try it. Wife liked the $100 a month cheaper payment. I'll tell you in 3 years if it was a good move.
Immediately I found the Eco was not as quick wide open as the 5.0. Verified by speed achieved by an interstate road sign. Redneck speed test. Hit entrance ramp turn at 40 mph and floor it. Check speed by interstate sign. 5.0 was almost 4 mph faster. Also noticed this truck downshifts out of 6 easier than I expected. Mpg on first tank is at 13.8. Now before you guys think I am hating on the Eco, I'm not. It has 255 miles and seems to be loosening up. Midrange tip in is stronger than the 5.0. I don't spend time WOT so I am totally satisfied. Next tank I will work on driving style.
Now, a couple of questions and advice.
1. I cannot deal with the low stance after driving the 2012. I'm gonna level. I kept my wheels and tires from the last truck and tire pressure sensors. I can do the same 2" front and 3" rear block and just bolt them on. It would look killer. But those trail grapplers rattled the door panels and WV roads had it jumping lanes on the rough part of the interstate. I am thinking a mild 1.5 or 2" front only level and keep the app package wheels. If so, what tire size is a good compromise of adding a beefier stance yet maintain the acceleration / ride? I do not need a 10 ply tire necessarily. I'm thinking a 275 60 or 275 65 20. But wouldn't mind a little wider. I'm new to 20's. With 3.55's I'd like to stay in the 33" range.
2. I have NAV. Will an upsize screw up the NAV? I've read in the explorer forums that they have issues if the speedo is not corrected.
I apologize for the long winded post. I just want to get this right. I hate the scorpions. Even at 255 miles. They shake like there is not a single wheelweight on there. If I only change tires, these will go back on when lease is up. I already had to plug one as I picked up a nail the day after I brought it home. Love this forum. Helped me through my 2012 mods. Appreciate any feedback or advice.
I traded to with the same dealer and they gave $31,000 trade in despite me using Xplan.
So this time I let the kids pick the color and they liked the race red. So I picked out an Appearance package FX4. It is loaded to the tilt including the bed extender and tailgate step. I got an Ecoboost this time with 3.55's. I've had it for a week and it has 255 miles. I leased this time (3 years 15k/ yr). Dealer was cool with a level and actually said I could do anything I wanted as long as the emissions system stays intact. I typically trade every 3 years so thought I'd try it. Wife liked the $100 a month cheaper payment. I'll tell you in 3 years if it was a good move.
Immediately I found the Eco was not as quick wide open as the 5.0. Verified by speed achieved by an interstate road sign. Redneck speed test. Hit entrance ramp turn at 40 mph and floor it. Check speed by interstate sign. 5.0 was almost 4 mph faster. Also noticed this truck downshifts out of 6 easier than I expected. Mpg on first tank is at 13.8. Now before you guys think I am hating on the Eco, I'm not. It has 255 miles and seems to be loosening up. Midrange tip in is stronger than the 5.0. I don't spend time WOT so I am totally satisfied. Next tank I will work on driving style.
Now, a couple of questions and advice.
1. I cannot deal with the low stance after driving the 2012. I'm gonna level. I kept my wheels and tires from the last truck and tire pressure sensors. I can do the same 2" front and 3" rear block and just bolt them on. It would look killer. But those trail grapplers rattled the door panels and WV roads had it jumping lanes on the rough part of the interstate. I am thinking a mild 1.5 or 2" front only level and keep the app package wheels. If so, what tire size is a good compromise of adding a beefier stance yet maintain the acceleration / ride? I do not need a 10 ply tire necessarily. I'm thinking a 275 60 or 275 65 20. But wouldn't mind a little wider. I'm new to 20's. With 3.55's I'd like to stay in the 33" range.
2. I have NAV. Will an upsize screw up the NAV? I've read in the explorer forums that they have issues if the speedo is not corrected.
I apologize for the long winded post. I just want to get this right. I hate the scorpions. Even at 255 miles. They shake like there is not a single wheelweight on there. If I only change tires, these will go back on when lease is up. I already had to plug one as I picked up a nail the day after I brought it home. Love this forum. Helped me through my 2012 mods. Appreciate any feedback or advice.
10-09-2014, 11:10 PM
#2
Member
I went with 295/55r20 Toyo M/T's (33x12.2) on stock STX wheels. I'm very happy with my setup, also wanted to stay around 33" . I've never had the "trails" however I've noticed that with the 20's it makes the 10 ply pretty stiff due to not having much side wall. I went with Autospring 1.5" up front and swapped the stock 1.375" rear block with a 2", I'm very happy with my stance. I have right at 1" of rake in mine, I don't want the "perfect level look" because I use mine to haul (4wheeler-zero turn mower) at least once a month and didn't care to have the "sag" going on.
Last edited by 2013Ford; 10-09-2014 at 11:16 PM.
10-09-2014, 11:29 PM
#3
285/55/20
285/60/20
295/55/20
305/55/20
Those would all be good choices in addition to what you suggested.
Have you considered doing coilovers instead of the leveling spacers? I think you'll find that coilovers like those from [MENTION=156426]F150Lifts.com[/MENTION] would improve your ride both with stock wheels/tires and aftermarket upsized rubber.
Also, once you upsize, you should be able to correct the Nav with a 15+ minute disconnect of the negative cable from the battery. Seems to work for most.
285/60/20
295/55/20
305/55/20
Those would all be good choices in addition to what you suggested.
Have you considered doing coilovers instead of the leveling spacers? I think you'll find that coilovers like those from [MENTION=156426]F150Lifts.com[/MENTION] would improve your ride both with stock wheels/tires and aftermarket upsized rubber.
Also, once you upsize, you should be able to correct the Nav with a 15+ minute disconnect of the negative cable from the battery. Seems to work for most.
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HaloLifts (10-10-2014)
10-10-2014, 01:45 AM
#5
Maybe I'm misunderstanding yall, but how can disconnecting the battery affect the speedometer? I thought the discrepancy came from the difference in wheel travel on larger diameter tires?
10-10-2014, 10:22 AM
#6
<b>F150 Forum</b>
These are fully adjustable in height and would be great on your truck, not to mention look super too! Our truck with 305-55-20 Duratracs.
IMG_1133 by Alexl5280, on Flickr
rsz_1rsz_f150_007 by Alexl5280, on Flickr
rsz_1rsz_f150_006 by Alexl5280, on Flickr
IMG_1133 by Alexl5280, on Flickrrsz_1rsz_f150_007 by Alexl5280, on Flickrrsz_1rsz_f150_006 by Alexl5280, on Flickr
Last edited by HaloLifts; 10-10-2014 at 10:28 AM.
10-11-2014, 09:52 PM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
OK. First picture is a " simulated" level using a floor jack. Up 1 1/2". Second pic is my wheels and tires and a 2" " simulated" level. I know tires fit with this (295 70 18 Trail Grapplers). So with that
The Trails are 34" tall and weigh a ton. The Eco has 3.55 gears. Will it pull these? My 5.0 had 3.73's and while it pulled it down some I got used to it. Loved the performance but really don't " need" mud tires. Benefit here is for less than $400 I can bolt these on and go. I left my 2012 tire pressure sensors in them. Will the 2014 pick these up and work?
If I keep the app package wheels, I like the 305 55 20 look. Will they fit with a 1 1/2" level"? will the Eco be less affected with this size vs. the Trails?
I wish I had found an Eco with 3.73 gears. I'm only getting 13.8 mpg on this first tank anyway. Power is getting better with miles but so far fuel mileage isn't. But again, just bought it. I live in a hilly area so I don't expect it to get drastically better. Btw I continue to search. My brain is numb.
Thanks again for all the feedback.
The Trails are 34" tall and weigh a ton. The Eco has 3.55 gears. Will it pull these? My 5.0 had 3.73's and while it pulled it down some I got used to it. Loved the performance but really don't " need" mud tires. Benefit here is for less than $400 I can bolt these on and go. I left my 2012 tire pressure sensors in them. Will the 2014 pick these up and work?
If I keep the app package wheels, I like the 305 55 20 look. Will they fit with a 1 1/2" level"? will the Eco be less affected with this size vs. the Trails?
I wish I had found an Eco with 3.73 gears. I'm only getting 13.8 mpg on this first tank anyway. Power is getting better with miles but so far fuel mileage isn't. But again, just bought it. I live in a hilly area so I don't expect it to get drastically better. Btw I continue to search. My brain is numb.
Thanks again for all the feedback.
