Build Constraints? FX4 and 4K Tow?

[colinl]

4K tow is very worthwhile because it includes a trailer brake controller. The Maverick is a light truck so if you're towing anything with trailer brakes it is extremely helpful to be able to use them. You can technically add-on an aftermarket trailer brake controller but unless you are a pretty skilled mechanic you'll probably pay someone to install it and you could just have it from the factory instead. The gear ratio is minor benefit because it's only 10% difference.

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[jibbersmav]

My opinion: Get the truck you want. ... There is no sense spending $30,000 on a truck that isn't exactly what you want... I want the truck configuration I want; not the one that makes me get it a week sooner.

It is not always about "getting it a week sooner". My advice to people is to really decide how bad they want a Maverick, and what level of risk of not getting a Maverick are they ok with. If someone wants to order a Mav, loaded with a bunch of constrainers, they have an increased risk of ending up with no truck.

People can order whatever they wish, but should know that the closer they fly to the sun, the higher their risk of burned wings will be.

 

[Bob The Builder]

I guess I am just not understanding why folks insist on ordering constrainers on their truck that they can easily get installed later. FordVideoGuy has repeatedly said remove all constrainers except those that cannot be added later like Co-Pilot, LUX packages and the like. He should know, he sells more Mavericks in one day than most of us have seen in our lives.

 

[Decayed]

Tow has a slightly different gear ratio.

That could be it then again gears are not chips. Who knows?

 

[Maverick2022XL]

My first post after lurking for a bit...

I have my 2023 Maverick ordered (Eco Boost, AWD, FX4 - simple build?), received my email from Ford and the dealer sent me a copy of an email from Ford stating they received and approved my COVP. That seems to be good news...

I ordered the FX4 package and I'm wondering if it is a constraint and if I should drop it...

I also did NOT order the 4K tow package because I read it is a constraint... I'd like to have it, but I don't want to delay my build.

Should I keep the FX4 or will I get a quicker build without it?

If I add the 4K tow, will this surely delay my build? It seems the only things I'm NOT getting with the 4K is the 7 pin, brake controller, oil cooler and different drive ratio? The FX4 comes with the heavier radiator and cooling fan - right?

I appreciate your recommendations...

The constrained item on the 4k tow is the hitch receiver. There maybe others in the package also but that is one of the known constrained items. As far as needing 4K tow depends what you want to trailer with the truck. Besides the the hitch with 4 and 7pin and brake controller, you also get your transmission final drive ratio built as 3.81 as opposed to 3.63 gear ratio and also get a bigger radiator and auxilary transmission cooler. You could add all this sans the gear ratio upgrade afterwards but it will cost you well more than the 4k package.

Buying a truck without a hitch receiver is frankly stupid even if you won't tow anything. The second you want to use the bed to transport something over 8 foot long that hitch receiver in conjunction with a bed extender is gold. To do the hitch reciever without the 4k is $100 you couldn't come anywhere close to that if you have a dealer or shop do it, figure a minimum of $500 for parts and instalation afterwards. So it really comes down a trade off of time vs extra cost. If you already have other constrained items in the build and can wait out delivery then to me anyways you have Ford put it on the vehicle since it is cheaper and will be warrantied unlike a third party or dealer install.

 

[Maverick2022XL]

4K tow is very worthwhile because it includes a trailer brake controller. The Maverick is a light truck so if you're towing anything with trailer brakes it is extremely helpful to be able to use them. You can technically add-on an aftermarket trailer brake controller but unless you are a pretty skilled mechanic you'll probably pay someone to install it and you could just have it from the factory instead. The gear ratio is minor benefit because it's only 10% difference.

You can also get the trailer brake controller as an independent add on without the 4k package on builds.

 

[colinl]

You can also get the trailer brake controller as an independent add on without the 4k package on builds.

I believe you're wrong about that unless it's new for '23. Since shop.ford.com is still showing the '22, I just looked and it's not there. The hitch is separate (and costs $100 which is an excellent value) but there is not a standalone trailer brake controller option and accessories.ford.com does not show an add-on trailer brake controller for the Maverick (yet?). They have them listed for the Ranger, F-150, Bronco and a few others but no Maverick.

 

[Maverick2022XL]

I believe you're wrong about that unless it's new for '23. Since shop.ford.com is still showing the '22, I just looked and it's not there. The hitch is separate (and costs $100 which is an excellent value) but there is not a standalone trailer brake controller option and accessories.ford.com does not show an add-on trailer brake controller for the Maverick (yet?). They have them listed for the Ranger, F-150, Bronco and a few others but no Maverick.

They were last year, I've seen a bunch of builds with the trailer brake control module in the as built data that didn't also have the 4k package. Apparently they dropped it now, when exactly I don't know but I checked the build options and you are correct it is not offered now as an extra or part of the Lux packages.

 

[colinl]

They were last year, I've seen a bunch of builds with the trailer brake control module in the as built data that didn't also have the 4k package. Apparently they dropped it now, when exactly I don't know but I checked the build options and you are correct it is not offered now as an extra or part of the Lux packages.

respectfully, that's an interesting conclusion but I believe a wrong one. I looked at this thoroughly and ordered a 4K truck. I am pretty certain you have never been able to buy the trailer brake controller separately.

 

[teh603]

The constrained item on the 4k tow is the hitch receiver. There maybe others in the package also but that is one of the known constrained items.

It was constrained for 2022 orders, late during the build cycle. The hitch itself wasn't constrained in the list we saw for 2023.

As far as needing 4K tow depends what you want to trailer with the truck. Besides the the hitch with 4 and 7pin and brake controller, you also get your transmission final drive ratio built as 3.81 as opposed to 3.61 gear ratio and also get a bigger radiator and auxilary transmission cooler. You could add all this sans the gear ratio upgrade afterwards but it will cost you well more than the 4k package.

I don't have the invoices in front of me, but every time I've had to have a used truck's transmission rebuilt, adding an expanded trans cooler has only been a hundred or so. All you're doing is disconnecting the micro- cooler from the bottom of the transmission and replacing it with a full- sized one. Replacing a radiator isn't *that* expensive, either.

I guess it could be more than the price of 4k if you already had AWD. If you don't, however, it's hella cheaper and still worth it even for daily driving.

 

[billbillw]

If the order entry stats on this forum reflect the nationwide ordering trends, the 4K Tow add-on should not be a big restriction. There are currently only 18.1% of orders with the 4K tow. I'm not sure if that is strictly independent of the hybrid/ecoboost or not. I put my order in with 4K tow. I want it, I need it and I'd rather wait than have to deal with getting aftermarket support for a brake controller.

 

[onetequilatwo]

I looked at the 20% constraints and since you have the 4 pin with the FX package, it really comes down to how much towing do you anticipate and if you would ever want to tow more than 1 ton. If the answer on more than the 2,000lb is maybe, then get the the tow package if you have a vehicle through the summer, Would think, depending when you ordered, allocations etc you ordered.

My wild a$$ guess you will have the truck you want byJune or said differently late spring. But want to be sure that you can wait it out well into the summer, just in case more shit hits the fan. We are all, including Ford cover in from the fan splatter as it is.

 

[commadorebob]

4K tow requires EB. Some EB didn't order 4K tow. 80% of orders have been Hybrids (that we can tell). So, 4K may not be the big constraint we fear it may be for retail orders. Dealer stock may never see it, but I think retail orders may be fine. It may just take a while to eat through them all.

Keep in mind, it isn't just a hitch and some wires. It involves a different gear ratio (aka different transmission), an upgraded engine cooler, brake controller, and a transmission cooler. That's why it is more constrained to begin with. The 4K simply requires more parts discounting the labor to install it.

 

[Freckles]

I have no problem with the splash guards. They look great, work well, and I have not seen any issues with the paint.

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