The Donkey

Hey guys,
I have been lurking for quite a while and have been reading up on the 09 F150. I plan on getting one in the coming months. I will be using it as a daily driver and as my primary hunting vehicle. For purposes of hunting the 4x4 component is very important to me. During the December/January months the fields and dirt roads get extremely muddy and rutted and requires pretty good 4wd. It would suck and ruin a hunt if I get stuck out in the field and have to get towed out. I have been using a Land Cruiser of my wifes which does great but she has had enough of me bringing back a truck with mud to the roof for months straight.

Other than for hunting I don't have much off road need for it, not much towing need or payload requirements. Just decoys, blinds, gear, etc. in the back.

That said, I prefer the Lariat over the FX4 due to colors, interior, wood grain but I am concerned about whether the Lariat will be sufficient in these muddy conditions. I don't know how important the rear locker is and don't know much about 4wd systems.

How differently would a Lariat vs an FX4 perform in rutted, severely muddy conditions?

Any help would be appreciated. What a fantastic truck by the way. I have looked at all others, test driven, owned Chevy and Dodge in the past and this truck is just far and away clearly superior to the competition.

Thanks,
William

spydyrwyr

Hey bud, I was going to tell you that the Lariat 4x4 would do just fine as a hunting truck (at least it would for me here in NC.) However, when you said specifically "deep rutted mud," then I'd err on the side of caution and go for a FX4 with an eLocker.

I'm a big time 4wheeler, but not with my F150(s), I've got a playtoy for that with a welded rear differential, and it makes a HUGE difference. So, if it were me, I'd go with the FX4. That being said, the Lariat 4x4 would most likely do just fine.

I should also disclose that I'm a bit biased, I've got an '09 FX4 on the way, hopefully delivered within the next two weeks. So yeah, I'm a little partial.

Good luck!

The Donkey

Thanks for the response. I appreciate the feedback. i think you are probably right that the Lariat is likely fine except for maybe that 1 time out of 20 when the FX4 would be needed with the rear locker.

I haven't had enough experience with rear locker vs non-locker in muddy, rutted conditions to tell whether it makes a huge difference. With all I have read it does.

I do know that my 2000 Land Cruiser does have a rear locker and off road tires. It performs as well as I can expect anything to. My buddies have an 06 FX4, 07 Avalanche and an 07 Ram Quad Cab. I am not sure if those have rear lockers and they have all been fine in the ruts and mud albeit a few close calls.

Whenever you google rear lockers you get very vague answers from the manufacturer sites and they are/could be called different things.

Did the FX4 in 06 have a rear locker?

driver444

I think a limited slip differential in the XLT will be OK for 95% of what you want to do, but there is no substitute for a locker in the gooey stuff, or when a wheel might be off the ground altogether.

I don't know what the price difference is between an FX4 and an XLT, but you always have the option of having an electronic locker installed in the XLT. The Eaton E-locker, and the Auburn ECTED locker are almost exactly the same as what the FX4 comes with.

I'm kinda partial to the XLT myself for a couple reasons. 1. I like chrome, and 2. I don't have to worry about scratching the painted bumpers with branches, or stone chips. (DISCLAIMER... I'm not putting down anybody with an FX4. They're beautiful trucks. This is just my preference).

driver444

To answer your other questions,

1. The Avalanche is available with a locker (mechanical and automatic, not electric), but not standard
2. The only Dodges with lockers are the Power Wagons. All others are regular differentials standard, and limited slip rear optional.
3. '09 is the first and only year for a locking differential in ANY Ford, but before that, a limited slip was standard on all FX4's.

So I'd say if your buddies don't have any problems getting around with their trucks, you won't either with the XLT, (if you have limited slip). And remember, if you bottom out, and your wheels aren't touching the ground, it doesn't matter what differential you have... ...You're Stuck!

Having said all this, I did put a detroit locker (mechanical automatic) in my F-350. That truck is VERY hard to stick. Good-luck

The Donkey

Great answers and just what I was looking for. Thanks. That opens up my options as well.

So, if you don't get the FX4, sounds like you should get the LSD and then if that doesn't seem to be working you can add an Electronic or Manual rear locker after the fact. Thanks.

Sounds like I probably don't need a locker since I was the only one that had one to begin with. I am questioning now whether the 2000 TLC had a rear locker. Maybe it just has LSD. I know it is full time AWD, has 4 HI and 4 LO and has a button to push that appears to be a rear locker button.

Anyway, thanks for the input. I really appreciate it.

driver444

I'll go one better....

If you really want the XLT, and you really want the locker, get the XLT with the "NON-limited-slip" which is $300 cheaper, and then have a locker (whichever type you want) installed. A locker with the installation is about $800-$900. (that's a mechanical locker. An E-locker is a little more) If you start with the limited slip, you already ate the $300.

I think if you did that, you'd still come in under the price of an FX4, and have the best of both worlds.. ... The truck you want, plus the locker.

rc6869

If you were looking at an XLT (with 5.4L engine and 3.73 gears like the FX4) it would come out a little cheaper than the FX4 or Lariat but you would not have the wood grain, seats, or leather of the Lariat. If you build a 4X4 Lariat and an FX4 with the luxury package then you will come out about the same either way. I went with the Lariat because I can always add a rear, and front locker if needed but I don't see needing too, and I dont like painted bumpers on an off road truck.

spydyrwyr

Hey bud,

Lots of good info here, but take a step back and look at it simply. Just my $.02 here, but I wouldn't consider other options like aftermarket lockers. Looking at your initial post, you've got a simple choice: Lariat interior/colors versus the added off road capability of the FX4. If you really like the Lariat package that much better, get that. You'll have front tow hooks and your buddies have 4x4's so if you get stuck a time or two, no big deal. It's primarily your daily driver, so get what's going to make you the most happy the majority of the time.

Also, I would NOT install an aftermarket locker in your daily driver if I were you. First of all it's not worth the money for your limited application. Secondly, it will most likely void the warranty for any sort of axle/diff issues, and possibly drivetrain, I don't know, just guessing. Finally, you do NOT want to deal with a problematic aftermarket mechanical locker, it is a real pain in the butt (clicking, grabbing, not releasing, etc.) Again, just my $.02 and I'm sure you'll love whatever you choose. *cough*FX4*cough*

TheCougarGuy

Do you engage the locker in the FX4 by pulling on the 4x4 switch?

I should know this as I have an FX4 on order but I always forgot to check it out when I drove one.