Well looking at the packages on Ford's website, the off road package includes "off road tuned shocks." Now what that means, I don't know. Could just be a marketing gimmick.

 

Probably a bunch of hooey, but I'll feel better the next time I hit a pot hole.

 

I just bought a 2013 FX4 and The FX4 DOES NOT come with Rancho shocks. In the 1/2 ton, only older models came with them. On current models, they are the same that comes on normal 4x4 and in my opinion, only have enough dampening for a Geo Metro (if you disagree, that's because you haven't tried a better shock).

Skid plates are rinky dink also...gas tank skid is plastic, transfer case skid flexes with the force of my hand and the front skid is nothing to praise either. They might keep a stick from flying up where it shouldnt be but they certainly wont support the weight of the vehicle if you high center.

Honestly the only reason I chose the FX4 over the Lariat is the painted to match mirrors, grill, and bumpers.

 

I haven't ever looked at a normal F150 rear shock side by side my Off Road just to see if it is thicker, bigger or longer. Performance tuning,, is this same as saying they turned the Phillips head screw at little tighter???Oh well, what ever the off road shocks are they are..

 

And don't forget the redline marking in the tachometer that other models seem to omit.

 

I noticed that on the XLT I test drove. No redline on the tach. Where does the 5.0 start to redline?

 

Yeah, that's what I thought. Hence the reason I stated that the shocks might have been changed. I remember reading a few years back that the f150 fx4 did have the Rancho. But, what the hell does off road tuned shocks mean?

 

Bump

 

I don't have much to add here, but I can tell you the FX4 shocks are NOT Rancho brand. I'm going to guess they are probably contracted out by KYB or Bilstein? A lot of OEM's have KYB embossed on the shock someplace, despite just looking like OEM shocks.


I can tell you, my '13 FX4 rides a whole lot firmer (In a good way) .vs my traded 2011, XLT, 5.0, which rode more like a Buick than a truck.

 

According to the detailed VIN results for my 2011 FX4 OFF ROAD with heavy duty trailer towing, the shocks are ...With ...