In the world of heavy-duty trucks, there is a fine line between a functional tool and an oversized toy. However, American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) has just blurred that line with the debut of the 2026 Ford FXL Super Duty. While enthusiasts have been stuffing oversized tires into wheel wells for decades, the FXL package represents a professional-grade engineering feat: a Super Duty that runs on massive 40-inch tires while remaining perfectly composed on the pavement.
For the automotive professionals in our audience, the technical achievement here is the “HighMark” fender flare system. Rather than simply jacking the truck up with a massive, unstable lift kit, AEV utilizes a modest 4-inch suspension lift paired with extensively redesigned wheel openings. This approach keeps the center of gravity low—essential for maintaining the Super Duty’s legendary towing and hauling capacities—while allowing the 40-inch BFGoodrich HD-Terrain tires to cycle through their full range of motion without rubbing.
Casual readers might see the aggressive stance and stamped steel bumpers and assume this is just another “show truck,” but the substance goes deeper. AEV has ensured that all of Ford’s factory safety systems, including the sophisticated radar-based cruise control and emergency braking, remain fully functional despite the heavy modifications. It is a rare example of an aftermarket upfit that feels like it rolled directly off the Detroit assembly line with a full 3-year/36,000-mile warranty to back it up.
The Evolution of the Heavy-Duty Hero: FXL vs. Highboy
When we look at the FXL, it’s impossible not to draw a parallel to the legendary Ford “Highboy” F-250 of the late 1960s and 70s. The Highboy was the original “factory-lifted” beast, sitting noticeably higher than its peers to accommodate a rugged 4WD system. But where the Highboy relied on stiff leaf springs and a bone-jarring ride to conquer the dirt, the 2026 FXL uses custom-tuned Bilstein dampers and precision engineering to provide a “one-finger” driving experience on the highway. We’ve moved from an era where off-road capability meant sacrificing comfort, to a time where you can daily-drive a monster truck without ever breaking a sweat.
