I'm I the only one bothered by the fact that the new FX4's look exactly like the FX2's. They took everything original away, the grill, the rims, the running boards and now they both have the same lights. I used to enjoy the fact that you could see an fx2 coming down the road and know thats what it was, or vise versa, you could tell when it was an FX4. They could have kept them a little different...

 

I bought the FX2 for the exact reason that it's identical to a FX4 without 4x4.. I had a FX4 and never used the 4x4 and decided to go 2wd and make it look more aggressive..

I dont get why it bothers you that the FX versions look similar, It's the same case with XLT/Platinum etc.. 2wd/4wd look similar except ride height.

 

I think Ford has to many trim levels now and distinguishing between them with style ques without making the truck hard to produce is tricky. I would like to see more differences in the trim levels though.

 

Yes.

 

I guess I just liked being able to tell the two apart with a quick glance. I bought the FX2 because I too love the FX package but didnt want the 4X4 price tag. But there was always a little difference between the two. My first truck was the 2007 FX2 and I loved the front end, you knew what it was when you saw it. Then they took the front valiance or nose spoiler away(whatever its called). Then I got a 2010 and the grill and the rims were only available on the FX2, now thats gone. I know its not a big deal, just sayin. I saw a pic on here this morning of a 2011 FX4 and almost sent him a message asking why he took off the FX2 sticker and put on an FX4.

 

I'm really glad they made the FX4 look like the 2's, I've always liked the styling on the 2's a lot more but I would never own another 2wd up here in North Dakota.

 

Yeah, I hear you.. I think the only difference on 2011's is the lower bumper valance and the bed decals + truck height. I like how they merged the best of both versions into one though.

 

I like them both. Are they not both born from the idea of a 'sporty' truck? As mentioned go one direction (the FX2) if you don't need 4x4 and if you do need 4x4 go the other direction (the FX4). I see nothing wrong, other than they are so popular everyone wants them and they aren't really unique anymore (unless your into modifications like some of us).

I don't think there are too many trim levels, but I would say the lariat limited is not needed at all; and XL could be lumped solely as a work truck (if they have not already).

Look at it like this:

Specialty vehicles:
SVT Raptor
Harley Davidson
Lariat Limited (ugly as I'll get out!)

Trim levels:
XL
XLT
STX
Lariat
King Ranch
FX4/FX2
Platinum

I don't see too many trim levels? I prefer to have choices. I prefer the specialty and upper trim level FX trucks, but others prefer sophistication as in the lariat or platinum, and others just a basic truck like the XL/XLT. I think its great to have this many choices, much better than Chevy/GM/Dodge that have next to no choices, no variety, nada.

 

Forgot the STX, total of 9 trims.

 

King Ranch anyone?

 

Who cares. When the FX2 was introduced I be there were those who were mad that they took the FX name and you could get a street looking FX4 package on an XLT with the flow through center console which used to be exclusive to FX4 and up.

edit: FX2 stole the interior and just about every trim piece of the FX4. Where is the outrage? lol. without the FX4 there would be no FX2.

 

Good call, I missed the STX and KR


Honestly, why do they keep the STX? It's just a stripped down FX2/FX4 depending on 4x4 or not... with a V6.. I don't see the point, there really cannot be that much cost difference between the STX and stepping up to an FX series? Maybe I am wrong..

 

Honestly I think you should be able to see a difference between all trims on the trucks. I like when I go down the street and tell the difference in what trims people have. Just like how I did like people tagging trucks to be something that they are not. Like taking a XL and tagging an Fx sticker on it. I don't mind it if they build it to be an Fx trim.

 

FX4,

I've got a 2v 4.6L in my '08, and I know that you can order the '12 STX with the 5.0. I think it is a nice trim level, as it offers just a smidgeon of the FX styling but at a reasonable price. I think the '12 STX bases out at $26,000 and the FX2/4 at $33,000 and to me that is a world apart.

Not trying to argue, just defending the continued applicability of the STX. If it was like the 90s and my only option was the XL or XLT, I would still be stuck in an XL. There are worse things, but I'm happy with the step up my STX provided me over the base XL.

I love the FX trim...if I could've afforded the SC FX2 three trucks down from my STX at purchase time, all these mods I've done would've been there but where is the fun in that? Lol

 

Easiest way too tell FX2 or FX4 from the outside.....FX2 has paint matched fender flares and FX4 are black textured plastic. You can see that difference a mile away going down the road, unless of course the truck is black