What decides which Drive Mode / 4WD knob you get?

[alrashid2]

Waiting for my truck to be delivered and realized I've seen so many different versions of the Drive Mode / 4WD knob online, all on 2026 models.

One looks very basic, one looks sleeker with a DRIVE MODES text written at the top, and a third also has a center button.

What affects which one you get?

Edit: I got a 2026 XLT, without the FX4, but with the advanced tow package

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[chasc]

That is a fantastic question... I can say with some confidence the first and third image are the essentially the same thing but with different silk-screening: The first for vehicles without the "Advanced Towing" option and the latter for those with it (center button engages reverse trailer guidance).

I'm not familiar with the middle one. I did a reverse image search for it and saw examples across 2024–2026 and XL–Lariat. The only common thing in the examples I found was none had the Advanced Towing package. Maybe they were having supply issues and sourced the part from two different vendors?

 

[alrashid2]

Thanks for responding! Here is to hoping my truck has the "nicer" knob... Oddly enough when I go to my build / order tracker and pull up the provided photos, which seem to be updated to what I have built, I get the simpler/cheaper looking knob...

Also can I ask, when it comes to having the Trailer Backup Assist type knob, how do you use it for the other features? I assume you press the center button for the backup assist... do you just spin the knob for drive modes? And if so, how do you change to 4H and 4L?

 

[purdyd]

It looks to me like that new design is for the 2026 models, excluding the raptor.

perhaps it is more reliable.

 

[Jason B]

I have a 24 FX4 and have the first option. You can push the 2H,4H, and 4L buttons to enter that mode. Turning the 'drive mode' ring switches from Normal, Eco, Sport, Tow, and then to terrain controls like sand, mud, slippery, etc. and puts it in 4H.
The last option is similar, but with Adv Tow, which I don't have. I think you push the center button to enter Trailer back up assist, and 'steer the trailer' using the ring, not the steering wheel.

I haven't seen the center option. But I see the switches beside it has a button for locking the diff, bottom row, right side.
My FX4 has e-locker diff, but not that button. You have to go through the touch screen to lock the diff.

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