I am considering purchasing a 2016 F-150 that has the FX4 package. I keep getting conflicting answers as to what is actually included in this package.

Mainly shocks - I have had people tell me that the shocks are the same as stock, and that the shocks are upgraded shocks (with some people telling me that "upgraded" still isn't that great).

Whats the right answer here?

 

I use downhill decent all the time in the mountains.

FX4 Off-Road Package includes:

• 3.31 Electronic-locking rear axle with 5.0L V8 engine or 3.5L V6 EcoBoost® Engine
• 3.55 Electronic-locking rear axle with 2.7L V6 EcoBoost® (axle is changed to 3.73 Electronic-locking differential if ordered with 2.7L V6 EcoBoost® Payload Pkg)
• Hill Descent Control™ – when activated, applies brake pressure as needed to descend grades at a controlled speed
• Off-road tuned shock absorbers
• Skid plates to protect the fuel tank, transfer case and front differential
• 4x4 “FX4 Off-Road” decal

Optional Equipment:
3.55 Electronic-locking rear axle (requires 5.0L V8 engine or 3.5L V6 EcoBoost®) Engine
3.73 Electronic-locking rear axle (requires 5.0L V8 engine or 2.7L V6 EcoBoost® engine

 

Sounds good. In your (or anyone else's) experience are the FX4 shocks that much of an improvement over stock?

 

There was a thread out here recently where some people kind of ripped the FX4 package for what it was.

Are the shocks as good as you can buy in the aftermarket? No probably not they are still OEM shocks, but I think they are an upgrade. Try to drive both and compare the ride.

For me the FX4 package was a must have. Does it make your truck a rock crawler? No of course not. Not sure I would want to take one of these rock crawling, would buy a Wrangler for that.

I do take my truck off road, I wanted the skid plates. They are perfect for what I need, on the way to camp there are a few rocks if you don't approach them right you are going to hit them. My old truck had some pretty nice gashes on the skid plate, guess what I would rather them there than somewhere else on the truck. Again are these heavy duty aftermarket skids plates for rock crawling, haha well no they aren't. Do they help protect?absolutely.

Since an E-locker was also a must have for me, then really the FX4 package is costing about 330 over just an E-Locker (2015). So for me was a no brainer.

I think how you are going to use your truck will dictate a lot about whether it is worth it to you.

 

I have an '11 FX4. I got that at the time (before it was merely an add on package) mostly because of the sporty look. Ordered a '16 Lariat back in December with the FX4 add on, was a no brainer to get it again. Because of where i live, the e locker will be on every future truck i purchase from now on, and the skid plates have come in handy. Not sure about the hill decent control yet, my '11 doesn't have that.

 

The skid plates are plastic.. They won't protect much. Look up RCI skid plates.

 

Come on now... Where the hell are you getting your information from?? They are not plastic

 

Shocks, lol.

There ARE no FX4-specific shocks:

http://www.tascaparts.com/auto-parts...omponents-scat

Now - I don't trust the Ford-Parts.com listings as they include Tremor and dual front shocks in their 2015 suspension breakdown. WTF

Same shocks, plastic skidplates and a fayncy sticker (that some have removed anyway, lol).

Hill descent - perhaps - but Tow/Haul does a decent job on the highway in the mountains.

Paid less than $300 fer 9.75" 3.55 ELD

Oh yeah - one last thing - it gives folks wif XLT's bragging rights that they've got a By God FX-Fer ( no mention in they sigs o' that pesky 'XLT' moniker, fer some reason though )

Yep seems like a no-brainer, aight.

MGD

 

https://www.f150forum.com/f118/skid-plate-284082/

 

If you want the E-lock rear anyway, buying the FX4 basically gets you skid plates and "off road" shocks for about 300 bux.
I'd think that's a decent value.

As others have posted...
It doesn't make the truck a rock crawler. (Tacoma makes the better choice there imo) But if you are going down a hunting trail or other un paved back road or trail, a few hundred bux of protection to the tank and running gear seems well spent.