19 - xlt should i buy (fx4 and or tow pkg)

[RC Walter]

Hello, I am in the market and am debating the merits of the fx4 or tow pkg. The main benefit I see is the 4 low and locking diff. My family and I want to take it camping and up to the mountain during winter. Is 4low/locking diff really worth it. Occasional may tow something, but this maybe 1 or 2 times a year.

Thanks ahead of time and looking forward to pulling the trigger on a 19 before the 31st.

Cheers

 

[Deadman]

I would look at it this way. The gearing is probably one of the biggest benefits you will see from the tow package. If you drive a lot of hi speed freeways, I would get the non tow pack so you have the highway gearing. if you drive a lot of slower highways, backroads, towing etc, the 3.73gearing is what you want.

The tow pack offers a bigger radiator and some other things as well. The 4low is great if you really plain on straining it, but in general 4low isn't needed in a vehicle like this. In my opinion its a people mover, not a real work horse.

 

[RC Walter]

Thanks @Deadman -- I live in SoCal so alot of Freeway driving. i am not familiar with gearing that much, but it sounds like the 3.73 gears will be noticeable?

 

[nate6966]

I would look at it like this...
ONE TIME of needing a tow truck to rescue your stuck vehicle from a campsite or trail in the woods could pay for the option package that adds HD Tow and maybe FX4 (or at least come close to that cost).
The locking rear diff absolutely can make the difference of being stuck vs. crawling out of a hidden hole or rut.
Add in the benefits mentioned in the last comment and that explains why I selected the upgrade.

 

[shane_th_ee]

I reject this false choice! Get one with both. More seriously, either package will get you an upgraded radiator... As the 3.5L is a turbocharged engine and the historical challenge facing turbocharged engines has been thermal management, you might consider either package for the increased longevity. Particularly if you're going to be visiting the hot parts of the Southwest during the summer months.

And you said camping... tents get old quick as you add children. The HD towing package and/or the FX4 package (with the trailer brake controller added by any dealer) would give you the option to get a travel trailer at some point in the future.

 

[duneslider]

I reject this false choice! Get one with both. More seriously, either package will get you an upgraded radiator... As the 3.5L is a turbocharged engine and the historical challenge facing turbocharged engines has been thermal management, you might consider either package for the increased longevity. Particularly if you're going to be visiting the hot parts of the Southwest during the summer months.

And you said camping... tents get old quick as you add children. The HD towing package and/or the FX4 package (with the trailer brake controller added by any dealer) would give you the option to get a travel trailer at some point in the future.

I agree with this, however, what do you get with the FX4 over the XLT with Tow besides skid plates? (not counting cosmetic differences). I don't know how much the FX4 costs over the XLT with Tow and is that added cost worth it for just skids that you can buy and put on yourself? I don't know the answer here. I will be buying skids to add to my xlt with tow, I have already smashed up the flimsy cover under there.

 

[Deadman]

Thanks @Deadman -- I live in SoCal so alot of Freeway driving. i am not familiar with gearing that much, but it sounds like the 3.73 gears will be noticeable?

The gearing will be noticeable if you drive them back to back, but probably not so much if you don't.
Personally I don't think these big vehicles should come with any less gear than the 3.73, but again thats my opinion. I'd rather burn a few gallons more fuel and let the gearing strain the engine and trans less over the lifetime of the vehicle.

 

[shane_th_ee]

I agree with this, however, what do you get with the FX4 over the XLT with Tow besides skid plates? (not counting cosmetic differences). I don't know how much the FX4 costs over the XLT with Tow and is that added cost worth it for just skids that you can buy and put on yourself? I don't know the answer here. I will be buying skids to add to my xlt with tow, I have already smashed up the flimsy cover under there.

Skids, two rows of rubber floor mats, and tires (tires require arguing with Ford, but the tire upgrade was in all the marketing materials when I ordered mine.) And a discounted price on the tow package.

 

[sjwhiteley]

4 low isn't really needed except for extreme circumstances; if you are going to be in one of those circumstances, you'd already know you will need the 4L gearing. Towing: are you going to be doing a lot of towing? the gearing and upgraded radiator will help a lot, even below the 6000lb non-tow package rating.

If you are buying, regardless of towing/offroading, is the tow package gearing - this is the thing that will affect you day to day. The 4L & HD radiator will not affect you one iota.

So, get the FX4 if you think you might need it. Get the tow package if you will be doing hauling, and don't mind the higher gearing on the highway. If it was me, and had the choice and money, I'd get both: rather have them and not need it. If you end up towing more than expected, then the gearing will be to your benefit. If not, then I'm not sure you'd even notice the gearing.

(I have neither in my XLT MAX, but my old vehicle had both abilities: I tow a 4-5000lb trailer occasionally, and do farm work off-roading; nothing strenuous but occasionally 4wd to clear some obstacles, or not tear up the pasture in 2wd. The standard package work fine. People always think they will do more than they actually do).

 

[KenK]

I have 2018 XLT MAX 4X4 with HD Tow and am very pleased with it except for lack of skid plates which I will be adding. In order to get 4X4 Low Range you must get either FX4 or HD Tow Pkg. Personally I cannot imagine getting 4X4 without low range.
FX4 comes with different shocks, skid plates, and some cosmetics. HD Tow comes with electronic brake controller, and Pro Backup Trailer Assist which is a control knob for steering the trailer while looking in the mirrors and backup camera. When you turn the knob is literally turns the steering wheel for you.
https://www.ford.com/technology/driver-assist-technology/pro-trailer-backup-assist/
If you plan on towing and are not a seasoned backup professional or just really like the convenience of it this may be a desirable option.
FX4 package also comes with 3.73 gears and same P275/65R18 tires as HD Tow and both packages also come with HD radiator.
Depending on which year you are looking at the 2020 has the FX4 plus 360 degrees camera package which would be nice to have. 2020 also has FX4 for Limited Edition if you want to go more upscale.
Commuting back and for to work with mix of heavy stop and go traffic and highway driving I am getting 19.5 mpg according to the computer which is about 1 mpg optimistic vs calculated mpg. The 3.5 Eco provides lots of power and surprising torque when wanted or just go easy and sip gas. The 10 speed transmission is really good. It is almost always in the right gear and is rarely confused or hunting. It has the different driving modes which change the driving behavior dramatically. The only time the trans is caught flat footed is when cruising along easy and suddenly stomp on it, then it takes a few seconds make the jump to light speed.
I own an older Suburban which I loved but when I drove the new Expy against the new Suburban, the Expy was just better in almost every category. The Suburban/Yukon with the 6.2L and 10 speed is very desirable but they make you spend $80K to get it which counts me out.
If I were to buy again I would be willing to take either the FX4 or HD Tow pkg but would lean toward the FX4 with 360 camera pkg if it were available.

 

[Therabbittree]

We have xlt with hd tow package. I wanted the fx4 but couldnt find one in silver-spruce hd tow and fx4. I just ordered all the skid plates the fx4 has plus the raptor trans pan and it was about $850 shipped to me. Expensive.


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[Calidad]

The 3.73 vs 3.10 isn’t a big deal regarding freeway use. I’m in Bay Area and family in LA. Do lots of Sierras camping and longer National Parks trips Moab etc.

My primary interest was the locking diff and true 4Low setup. I do tow quite a bit but my trailer is typically less than 2000lb. So the max 9200lbs wasn’t a big selling point. If I ever did go big on a fancy trailer I would still be in the 5000lb max range anyway. Those jumbo Apartments on wheels aren’t my style. Lol

So far the 3.73 setup in the Platinum is doing max 18mpg in town tank averages and 21-23mpg Highway trips 65-75mph speeds. It cruises at 80mph at 2800rpm! I can’t Imagine the 3.10 gear set being more than maybe 1mpg bump on the highway. Coming from a Sequoia that was 14-15mpg in town and 16mpg highway trips the Expedition is awesome. LOL

The 22’s however are not dirt road tires/wheels!!! I do like how it drives with them tho. So we’ll see how they do. If they wear fast and cause me issues on camping trips I might be rounding up some factory 18’s with Factory sized rubber. I’ve gone bigger and more off road rubber and it was too much for my needs and the hit to Highway performance was big. So likely going middle ground on the tire subject when the 22’s are done.

 

[Rancidlunchmeat]

Personally, I'd wait a bit for the prices to come down and get the 2020 XLT FX4 w/ the 360 camera (not available on 2019).