Please let me know if anyone thinks I should change anything. I put options and why I choose them. Also, Ideally I want luxury ride with good gas mpg with occasional towing (2-4x a year). I have back issues so the upgraded seats and massage are a must.

2018 f 150 platinum (wanted massage seats for my back so had to get this, limited, or king ranch).
701A package
3.5l eco (wanted 2.7 but wasn't offered in platinum spec)
fx4 package
max tow package (really just wanted tow package and larger fuel tank but was cheaper to get this)

Based on what I wanted, would you make any changes?

 

I have a loaded Lariat with 5.0, basically everything you have there minus the seats (and the different engine).

If I was doing it again I might not get the FX4 package. Not that it's a huge variable at $800, but the parts you get (shocks, skid plates) are mostly junk compared to aftermarket. The 3.55 rear end might be the one good thing about it, but I think you'll get that with your max tow package anyway.

Ironically, I do really like the FX4 stickers and so far they have remained on my truck, but the FX4 shocks have not (the 3.55 gears are gone, too, haha). The skid plates are very thin and will likely get replaced if I ever think I will do any slightly serious offroading.

 

I thought the fx4 package was stupid also, but I paid for it because its on every truck known to man in a 500 mile radius of me. That being said, the hill descent is actually not bad, because you can use it in Reverse on an incline which is legit. I also used it out in the mountains on a pretty serious downhill grade last weekend, worked pretty good. It was more enjoyable than manually pulsing the brakes constantly. Its become the only 'auto driving aid' I enjoy. I wouldnt sleep on it, its actually not as chintzy as it seems.

 

Hmm. I didn't realize, or had forgotten that the hill descent was part of the FX4 package. I haven't used it yet, but I'm glad I have it. COMMENT REDACTED!

Carry on...

 

The FX4 package also includes an electonic locking differential w/3.31 gears for the 5.0L & 3.5L Ecoboost - not 3.55.


3.55 gear ratio is only included with the 2.7L

 

Mine has 3.55s with the 5.0.

 

That may be true but not because of the FX4 Pkg.

 

Is it because the dealer ordered it that way? I bought it off the lot but knew I wanted 3.55's and they had a few FX4's with 3.55s. Oh, I also wanted the 5.0.

 

You can also enable it on a non-FX4 truck for under $20 if you already have Forscan running. Even if you buy a tablet and the expensive Bluetooth interface for Forscan, you're still looking at under $200 to enable it and also be able to program other behavior (e.g. Bambi mode, global windows, etc). There's a thread with the details around here somewhere.

Personally, I didn't see the FX4 package as worthwhile because I wanted a 40/20/40 front bench and didn't want the skid plates (limited usefulness but significant weight and thus impact on payload). The e-locker comes with the max tow package, which I wanted anyhow (and which is already spec'd here).

In my one extended drive off pavement thus far, I found that the 10-speed in first or second and 4L was more than adequate for speed control without adding in HDC, but I can see the possibility of benefit on a steeper slope.

 

Strange. I went to the Ford site earlier to check on the hill descent and noticed just what you say here, that the 3.31 is offered with the 5.0 and 3.5. I swear when I ordered mine (April 2017) that it was 3.55 with the FX4 package on the 5.0 trucks. I'm probably mistaken, or else they've changed it.

Regardless, it's easy to add the e-lock and bump up to 3.55 without getting FX4. But, as mentioned above, maybe the Hill Descent makes FX4 worth it, not to mention the STICKERS.