The FX4's only have different shocks on the Super Duty's...bright red and white Rancho shocks on mine from the dealer.

 

The factory 18" rim/tire combo is the same overall height as the 20" rim/tire combo. So you lose an inch of sidewall and they look better.

 

OK....Now I really am starting to feel OLD. I bought the Lariat BECAUSE I liked the grill and flares better than the FX4. I did like the FX4 wheels better, so I bought them on Ebay, then turned around and sold the Lariat wheels, other than that I thought the Lariat was just an overall nicer truck.

Also, about re-stickering the truck, I would think hard about that before doing it, it's one thing to change shocks, grills, wheels....etc, but to actually make it something that it's not, might be a problem if you ever do try to sell it, or trade it in. and BTW, isn't a Lariat worth more?

 

I really like the Dark grey FX4 badge.... Did it come like that or is it aftermarket?

I was going to take my FX4 badges off cause the red will stand out too much against the Roush stripes, but the Grey woud probably work great.

 

thanks.. the guy advertises on ebay, street graphics. all kinks of color choices. Put the grey ones on my 04 and now the 06. Exact same size as stock ones but nicer because no clear backround, just the letters. Look for the grey, the silver ones look close in the pics.

 

hivoltage, im taking a lot of fx4 stuff off my truck. pm me if your interested.

 

Get your HV's right! I'm not looking for anything as I already have a FX4!

Couldn't resist! I love being a smarta$$ everynow and then!

 

1. 18" rims=18" diameter
2. 20" rims=20" diameter

so going from 18" rims to 20" rims, you will lose 2" of sidewall. if you truly do any off-roading, stick with the 17" or 18" rims. the more sidewall the better. The smaller sidewall of 20's will also cause the trucks ride to be much stiffer and you'll feel bumps alot more. Not to mention the bigger chance of rim damage. But you're right, the overall diameter between 18's and 20's is the same.


and contrary to popular opinion, the FX4 has different shocks up front. I thought it was all 4 corners, but apparently not. all 4x4 share same rear shocks unless they're the heavy duty. The FX2 also gets it's own set of "sport tuned" shocks that are different than the normal 4x2
Motorcraft.Com

FX4 Shocks are part #ASH731(front)
Normal 4x4 (Lariat and lower trims) part #'s ASH845/ASH876/ASH1051(front)

The FX4 rides better and has less of a squishy feel than a 4x2 or a regular 4x4. I haven't noticed it riding any stiffer though. To me though, my truck rides smooth as a cloud compared to my Mustang GT that's been dropped and has 2" of sidewall

get a XL grill, some nice black fender flares and the skid plates. then have fun with it. it's not like your trying to make your truck into a Lightning. Just make her look pretty

 

Im thinking about the xl grille to. Becuase on the xl some have chrome bumpers like mine.

 

Actually, TNC was correct...you lose ONE INCH of sidewall. You just lose it all the way around. If you lost two inches of sidewall, the diameter would be 2" smaller.

 

i would leave it just how it is and save that money for something else....always liked how clean it looked with a mostly stock lariat on big mudtires...

 

Gotta work on that math, man....... To lose 2" of sidewall, the rim itself has to be 4" smaller. So, even 17 vs. 20, you only lose 1.5" of sidewall. 4 wheelin or not, I wouldn't stress about an inch. Ride is stiffer with the 20's, so I don't even need the 'sport' shocks.