Hey guys i need some advice. I have decided that buy the end of the year i am going to trade in my current truck for a new F150. The models that i have decided on are either the Raptor or the FX4. The raptor would have the luxury group, spray in bed liner, bed extender, and the bead lock wheels.( I have a preference to the extended cab because that is how SVT designed the truck and apart from leg room is their any advantage to the crew cab ?) The ONLY reasons i am questioning the Raptor is the MPG 11 city and 15 Highway and the towing capacity. I am a landscaper and i have to tow some heavy items(lawn trailers, skid steers, etc...) I guess what i am asking what are you guys getting for real world numbers and how do the raptors tow ? Now the FX4 i would buy it in a crew short box with the 5.0 or a 6.2 preferably because i have heard the eco boost motors are having problems. The truck would have the 3.73 gears, luxury package, FX appearance package, pick up extender, wheel well liners, cable lock, Navigation and interior lighting kit. Now the Fx can tow allot more then the raptor and is better on MPG but is not the best off road. Now I use my trucks for everything from daily driving to punching though 3 feet of snow to get to the hunting cabin.

So what do you guys think ? I will post two videos of how i would like them to turn out. Thanks everyone

The FX4

The Raptor

 

Firstly, the crew cab gives you a LOT more room..It's just not about leg room.
Secondly, if you plan on putting 315/70's on your FX4, then the Raptor's mileage won't seem that bad.

 

Well, here we go again about "hearing" that the Eco engines are problematic! Only a small percentage have had issues (like the small percentage of 5.0L issues) and those are the ones you hear about, not the thousands that have no issues at all (like mine, and I have had 2 Ecos so far).

Now that I got that off my chest...lol...

But in all seriousness, you'll like the 5.0L and 6.2L. My 5.0L in my 2011 Plat performed very well and averaged around 12-13 mpg City even with the lift and heavy MT tires; my current FX4 EcoBoost has been closer to 13 mpg if I drive with some fun in mind (or go low into the 11 mpg range if have too much fun spooling up the turbos), but my current tank is averaging 16 mpg 100% City so far with 33s and 2-inch level (but driving very conservatively so not near as fun). I have the 3.73 rear end.

I totally relate to your dilemma as I too considered the Raptor (loaded) against the FX4 (loaded). I finally had to consider how much I use my truck as a daily driver, parking issues, daily use, and finally mileage. If the F150 EPA Ratings hold true, you will see less than advertised. Honest Raptor owners talk about 9-10 mpg for pure City driving, and slightly better with some Highway mix. If you will drive a lot of Highway, you can see better at 12-14 mpg. If you're going to haul and tow, expect even lower numbers.

With the FX4 (Eco or 5.0L) you can see between 12-17 mpg City depending on how you drive and where (hilly terrain, daily congestion, altitude, gas quality, etc.) which is quite the range but substantiated by many owners on the Forum. Mix in some Highway, and you can obviously improve that (some truly are reporting into the 20s with their 4x4s albeit with smaller tires and higher gearing). Or you can drive like a moron sometimes (like me) and totally tank any decency with mileage.

If you need to tow, the non-Raptor F150 would be the better choice (Eco, 6.2L, or 5.0L).

Finally, I take my FX4 and other non-Raptor 150s off road all the time and never had an issue (mountain trailing, desert wash running, duning). If you need to go +80 mph on wash board roads and/or take some jumps, you need the Raptor. If not, the FX4 will do great and you can mod it to do more.

The FX4 is cheaper; the Raptor is cooler.

Dang, I should have bought one anyway.

 

Fx4. You don't buy a Raptor for towing.

 

I wouldn't wanna buy a Raptor and use it as my work truck either...but its your money. can't go wrong with either. Both have their advantages and disadvantages

 

I am fond of the raptor because my buddy had one for a while and i got the chance to drive it as well as tow a light boat with it. I liked it alot but i just don't know if i did buy the FX4 i could forgive myself for letting a beast like the raptor go. Now another reason i not huge on the eco boost is the sound, I love the sound of a V8 and a eco boost with a exhaust sounds like a WRX .

 

You can mod the Fx4 to get close to and in some areas surpass Raptor performance and still be able to tow- but you will have spent more than what you would have if you had bought a Raptor.

My point is, you can beef up an Fx4 - you can't make a Raptor tow any real weight without sacrificing what makes it a Raptor.

 

Dude...just buy the Raptor.

 

I would get the Raptor if fuel economy wasn't an issue for me. What a cool truck

 

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