I ordered a 4x4 lariat sport FX4 with the 20" 6 spoke wheels.

It will by my daily driver...but I did not have the opportunity to drive one before i ordered it simply bc no one had one on the lot.

I am a little nervous about the ride quality... i know a truck is a truck...but i would like to get somewhat of a comfortable ride.

Here are my questions:

1. How noticeable of a difference from the stock ride compared to the FX4 ride? Does anyone else have the same setup that can share their thoughts?

2. I like the 20" wheels...but when I eventually need to change my Tires... realistically, how much bigger of a tire can go on those wheels without having any issues? (would it even be worth it to help soften ride)

Thanks in advance.

 

I just test drove the exact set-up you've ordered. Drove my 2012 Lariat non-FX4 with 20" wheels to the lot and I couldn't believe how smooth the 2015 FX4 was in comparison. Handling was more crisp while smoothing road imperfections even better than my 2012. To say it "rides good for a truck" is inaccurate. It rides GREAT for any vehicle. FX4 suspension and 20" wheels have no negative consequences. You won't be disappointed...rest easy!

 

I drove an Fx4 and non 4x4 this weekend. The fx4 was the 3.5 Ecco. I found it had a slightly higher feel and it was a very smooth and comfortable ride. I think the wheels were 19s.

I ended up getting the XLT with sport appearance package and 5.0l.

 

I'm from MI so our roads resemble those of a third world country... they are terrible. Most vehicles ride like crap. All that considered in my test drives they ride really well. Don't know if it's the lighter weight, or suspension changes or what. I ended up with the 18" wheels on my XLT and the truck is very smooth considering all the holes in the road.

I thought my 07 still rode well until I started test driving new trucks. Id dod compared to other 8 year old truck with 100K, but compared to new there was no comparision.

-Jeff

 

I own exactly that and it rides really nice. Super smooth

 

I live in OH, but just a few miles from the MI border. As soon as we cross the state line the kids in the back will ask "are we in MI now?" because of how much worse the roads get.

 

I have a 2013 Lariat SuperCrew with 18" wheels and love the comfortable ride. I didn't like the ride of the 20" wheels on the Lariats and FX4s, but noted they did handle slightly better!

 

I just traded in my '14 XLT 4x4 for the exact setup you described. It's unbelievable how much better the ride is. I took it to the hunting camp where there are a lot of gravel roads that are washboarded. My '14 was very rough going through this, the 15 seemed to just glide over them.

 

I have this same set up. For comparison, I'm coming from a 2005 Pathfinder 4x4 SE, and the ride quality in the '15 Lariat is leagues better in every way you can think to compare.

First, I test drove a '14 XLT with the 18" wheel set up (non-FX4) and it was a really great, smooth ride. Next, I test drove a '14 FX4 on identical roads; I can't say I noticed much difference in the ride quality - maybe the most minor of an increase in feeling a few bumps but nothing to "complain" about. Last, I drove the '15 Lariat, 20" wheels and FX4 package. It felt just a little higher when sitting in it and really really smooth. I'd say it felt a more like a refined '14 FX4 but not as cushioned as the '14 XLT. Again, the difference was so minor that it's really not even a concern (from my perspective, at least). Having owned and driven the '15 Lariat FX4 w/ 20" wheels now for about 1400 miles, personally, I'm very happy I went with the 20" wheels as I like the look and I'm not really sacrificing anything in ride quality, but perhaps gaining some performance benefit (if/when I do go off-road or am on unpaved paths). I don't think you'll regret having the FX4 package; unless you plan on changing things (shocks, etc.) anyways - then maybe skip it.



There are several others in this forum who have posted lots of info on tire and wheel size combos that you can do without rubbing. However, you will most likely see anywhere from a 1-3 mpg drop depending on how much larger you go with the tires. I'm not sure you'd noticeably soften the ride by going a little bigger in tire size, but I haven't done this so can't confirm.

My opinion: Go with the 20" and the FX4 package. You'll love it. No regrets. Good luck!

 

I've bought new F-150s in 2004, 2007, 2011 and now 2015. They get better each time and I loved the 2011. The ride of the 2015 is a noticeable improvement over the 2011 and I would characterize it as "outstanding."

The 2007 had 20s and I hated them. The ride was rough and I was always afraid of damaging the sidewalls. Went back to 18s with the 2011 and won't do the low profile tires on a 4X4 again.

The only complaint I have with the 2015 is that the back end feels light. I have had the back end want to walk out from under the truck in tight turns when applying power. Kind of chatters and I have to back off the power. I'm not talking aggressive power, just rolling out of a corner while adding a little juice. The back end of the 2015 also seems to break lose much easier under aggressive straight line acceleration that the 2011. The 2011 had 3.73 gears and the 2015 has 3.55.

Overall the ride and handling of the 2015 is nothing short of awesome!