Is off road package worth it?
09-08-2014, 10:57 AM
#11
Senior Member
Realistically, reference to "offroad" is a misnomer for the way most people use their trucks. Instead, "off-pavement" better suits, i.e., on graded dirt or gravel roads where maximum undercarriage protection is a non-issue. With plastic fuel tanks, better some protection than none. Those RCI skids do look good although cost to replace adds up by time powdercoat is specified plus shipping. If I do, I'll start w/ RCI's tank skid.
I'll be replacing OEM shocks w/ Bilstein 4600 "yellows" as soon as available for 2014+ F150. Sadly, no indication on Bilstein website when. No way I'll be crawling rocks w/ my own truck since my jeep is dedicated trail rig equipped w/ full complement of aftermarket skid protection front to rear. My truck will frequently see off-pavement use on local forest service roads but nothing that FS vehicles don't routinely travel.
BTW, mine still sports FX4 box decals but maybe not much longer. I removed the "Nismo" box decals on my former Frontier right away and never missed 'em...
I'll be replacing OEM shocks w/ Bilstein 4600 "yellows" as soon as available for 2014+ F150. Sadly, no indication on Bilstein website when. No way I'll be crawling rocks w/ my own truck since my jeep is dedicated trail rig equipped w/ full complement of aftermarket skid protection front to rear. My truck will frequently see off-pavement use on local forest service roads but nothing that FS vehicles don't routinely travel.
BTW, mine still sports FX4 box decals but maybe not much longer. I removed the "Nismo" box decals on my former Frontier right away and never missed 'em...
you will really enjoy the Bilstein HD yellows. i put them on my 2013 and absolutely love how it drives each day! truck rides & handles even better than the expensive 2.5 Icon system i had on prior. off-road, it obviously doesnt "charge" as hard as the Icon set-up, but its enough for my realistic needs of off-road use.
Last edited by RESQLAB; 09-08-2014 at 11:05 AM.
09-08-2014, 11:11 AM
#12
Senior Member
re: RCI- i just did the non-powder coated aluminum versions & very happy with how they look. to each his own, but a painted skid plate makes no sense to me and you cant really see it & its gonna get covered in mud/grime anyway? like you mentioned above, i replaced the fuel tank skid plate first.. that seemed most important to me. the front was just more for fun & aesthetics. i do get occasional compliments on the front plate from mechanics every now and then. RCI does make some nice stuff & really easy to deal with (including returns).
you will really enjoy the Bilstein HD yellows. i put them on my 2013 and absolutely love how it drives each day! truck rides & handles even better than the expensive 2.5 Icon system i had on it prior. off-road, it obviously doesnt "charge" as hard as the Icon set-up, but its enough for my realistic needs of off-road use.
you will really enjoy the Bilstein HD yellows. i put them on my 2013 and absolutely love how it drives each day! truck rides & handles even better than the expensive 2.5 Icon system i had on it prior. off-road, it obviously doesnt "charge" as hard as the Icon set-up, but its enough for my realistic needs of off-road use.
BTW, thinking RCI's front skid might result in messy oil changes considering front lower location of 6.2L oil filter? RCI's stated advantage of protecting EPAS doesn't apply to my truck either. This is getting off-topic to the OP's question though...
Last edited by DirtDawg; 09-08-2014 at 11:22 AM. Reason: RCI front skid thoughts...
09-08-2014, 11:15 AM
#13
Senior Member
Aha! Missed RCI's description: 1/4" 5052 aluminum (vs typical 3/16" CRS), so obviously no need for powdercoat. Saves $50, so I'll order one plus maybe another skid too. My former Frontier came stock w/ Bilstein yellows as part of the Nismo package (also incl Dana44 w/ eLocker too). Those shocks were still going strong at 72k when truck sold last month.
not to be debbie downer, but you may want to shoot an email off to bilstein and see if they are even doing r&d on the 2014's? over the years, ive noticed they only will do high production run vehicles. they are also very sloooow to release anything new.. they still have not even made available a shock for the new 1500 sierra/silverado.
i remember when GM's old Z71 packages & off-road package for the pick-ups, tahoe & suburban actually included the yellow bilsteins.. man, im getting old!
Last edited by RESQLAB; 09-08-2014 at 11:20 AM.
09-08-2014, 11:19 AM
#14
Senior Member
not to be debbie downer, but you may want to shoot an email off to bilstein and see if they are even doing r&d on the 2014's? over the years, ive noticed they only will do high production run vehicles. they are also very sloooow to release anything new.. they still have not even made available a shock for the new 1500 sierra/silverado.
09-08-2014, 11:19 AM
#15
Senior Member
I don't think they're worth it at all. The average person now thinks an unpaved alley is off road. It's not worth it if you never or rarely go off road. My parent's live on a ranch down 5.5 miles of dirt/gravel roads, both drive F150s, and neither have an "off road" package. They also drive around the land... never had an issue.
09-08-2014, 11:22 AM
#16
Senior Member
word is that the new control arm will roll into the 2015 model year.
my concern for "dirtdawg" is that 2014 model year will get passed over by Bilstein w/the yellow HD shocks because of it being basically a one year production run and smaller market appeal for that particular shock series.
sure, the 2015 is going to be the same lower control arm, but attached to a brand new vehicle w/different weight, springs, specs., etc...
Last edited by RESQLAB; 09-08-2014 at 11:34 AM.
09-08-2014, 11:25 AM
#17
I honestly didn't even know there was a difference until after I bought my truck. I literally parked next to my dads '12 and noticed his sticker said offroad and mine did not. I still have the 3.55 w/ locker, and skid plates, and mine came with the exact same wheels and tires as his. Now the downhill assist thing......I don't even know if I have that or not!!!
And for what it's worth, I take my truck offroad fairly often.
And for what it's worth, I take my truck offroad fairly often.
09-08-2014, 11:30 AM
#18
Senior Member
not to be debbie downer, but you may want to shoot an email off to bilstein and see if they are even doing r&d on the 2014's? over the years, ive noticed they only will do high production run vehicles. they are also very sloooow to release anything new.. they still have not even made available a shock for the new 1500 sierra/silverado.
i remember when GM's old Z71 packages & off-road package for the pick-ups, tahoe & suburban actually included the yellow bilsteins.. man, im getting old!
i remember when GM's old Z71 packages & off-road package for the pick-ups, tahoe & suburban actually included the yellow bilsteins.. man, im getting old!
2014 Ford F-150 FX4 V8 6.2L GAS FI NA 4WD
Series: Show All Series
Thank you, your search will affect future product development at BILSTEIN. Unfortunately, at this time we do not make any products for this vehicle.
09-08-2014, 11:32 AM
#19
Senior Member
Bilstein's website Contact page does not include email address for product questions. When using their Online Catalog for specific application fitment, this is what displays:
2014 Ford F-150 FX4 V8 6.2L GAS FI NA 4WD
Series: Show All Series
Thank you, your search will affect future product development at BILSTEIN. Unfortunately, at this time we do not make any products for this vehicle.
2014 Ford F-150 FX4 V8 6.2L GAS FI NA 4WD
Series: Show All Series
Thank you, your search will affect future product development at BILSTEIN. Unfortunately, at this time we do not make any products for this vehicle.
"thank you for your interest, now politely leave us"
Last edited by RESQLAB; 09-08-2014 at 11:40 AM.
09-08-2014, 11:36 AM
#20
Senior Member
I gotta wonder if a number of the changes to the 14' is to prevent tampering.
There were issues with ECU tuning if I can recall, and this specifically making it tougher to install a leveling kit.
Anyways, I have the max tow package with the heavy duty shock absorbers & skid plates, rather than the off-road package.
I have the 3.73 w/ locker already
I would have ordered the Off road package & a sunroof "IF" I didn't buy my XLT off the lot.
but I don't think the missing hill descent is an issue for me... the truck is way too big to be used as an offroad vehicle.
There were issues with ECU tuning if I can recall, and this specifically making it tougher to install a leveling kit.
Anyways, I have the max tow package with the heavy duty shock absorbers & skid plates, rather than the off-road package.
I have the 3.73 w/ locker already
I would have ordered the Off road package & a sunroof "IF" I didn't buy my XLT off the lot.
but I don't think the missing hill descent is an issue for me... the truck is way too big to be used as an offroad vehicle.
The following users liked this post:
GotHonks? (09-09-2014)