OlderThanSand

I have a FX4 and although I haven't driven another F 150 without the off road pkg to compare it with, my ride does not seem at all harsh to me.

Funny how some say they wouldn't buy an FX4 because of the console shifter. That's the main reason I did buy it. Although I'm not crazy about the black grille and the painted bumpers look nice I doubt their ability to stand up to the real world like a chrome bumper would. I wonder if you could get an XLT with a console like the FX4? .. oh, the Lariat was not an option for me because I didn't care for the light wood trim.

EcoBlue

All I know is my Off Road tuned shocks are dangerous. I did about 20 miles of graveled road with lots of potholes and washboarding last weekend. I had gone on the same road last month and my Subaru bounced and made some noise while zipping down the road at 40. The F150 was a lot quieter and I could only feel faint jitters with an occasional thud.

The dangerous part was looking at the speedo and noticing that I was pushing 50 and not noticing it. I was also steering ess curves with only a few fingers on the steering wheel. That is not a safe speed on a nice washboarded curve with lots of loose gravel on the shoulders. I have seen a few cars drift off and go down a hillside at almost half that speed. So I had to make sure I was taking the corners around 30 mph.

So the Off Road tuned shocks and easy steering lull you into a false sense of security on a twisty washboarded road.

pfbz

While I really am enjoying my new 2011 FX4 EcoBoost SuperCrew (with of course the "off road tuned" shocks), I think the shocks are definitely a weak point on these trucks...

Not impressed at all, and will be replacing them soon with Bilsteins.

Fortunately, shocks/struts are easy and relatively inexpensive to upgrade/replace.

My point? Don't sweat off road or regular shock valving. The differences are undoubtedly minor, and your better off just putting on a set of Bilsteins. Especially at $360 for all four, plus another $200 or less to install.

6wendys

I agree on the light trim that is standard on the Lariat dash. I am looking in to having it changed out with the XLT standard dash. I believe the holes for the ***** are the same. It is textured black and more handsome, in my opinion. I am not sure if I can change out the side door panels as well, but looking into. Anyone know?

OlderThanSand

Not sure about the XLT but it seems like you could swap the Lariat trim for the FX4 trim easy enough. I thought about that while truck shopping but then decided I didn't want the hassle .. getting the integrated trailer brake controller installed after the sale was the limit of my patience

truckerdude

you can't even change your own shocks or are too lazy? Geez, what is next getting somebody to change your oil?
No wonder the world is getting stupid everybody is too dang lazy to do anything themselves

TheChad

It'll cost alot more then $200 in labor to change shocks also.

However the oil change thing... I get my oil changed cheaper then I can change it myself, so why wouldn't I have it done for me?

-TheChad

blueoval28

To the OP. My 2011 XLT "offroad Pkg" rides a bit more rough then my 2010 without. This is my 4th F150, just my 2 cents but the stiffness of the shock I tend to notice a few more bumps that I did not before. I should add I'm not hating on the truck I absolutely love it!

pfbz

Get up on the wrong side of bed this morning, or are you always a *****?

But to answer your question, yup, I could install my rear shocks and front struts. But with 4WheelParts labor quote of $180, then applying the 50% off install coupon in their latest catalog making it only $90, I'll let them do it. It would probably cost me half that just to rent a spring compressor for the front anyway.

And while I've probably changed as much or more oil over the years as you, these days I'm happy to pay somebody $25 or $30 in labor to do it and deal with the waste oil and mess.

But thank you for your concern regarding my laziness...

teamroper

$160 to change all four shocks at my tire & front end place, this is installing my 5100 adjustables up front and my 5100's in the rear...$60 to do alignment with their top-of-the-line machine...I too have my oil changed there also, cheaper & quicker than I could do it. I could probably save $10-$15 to do it my self, but I'd still have drive to town to buy the oil & filter, then drive back home to change it, figure out what to do with the used oil & filter...just to save 10-15 bucks...besides, my wife hates crawling under her truck???


Yes, I'm pretty lazy...or so I've been told!!!