i ran into a problem where my manual hubs stopped locked the front end. this happened when my truck was frame deep in some nasty shat mud in alaska. thats what i got for driving a chevy. like you said, needing it once is reason enough to have it

 

Go with the 4x4. I bought a 2WD XLT and wish I had the dough THEN to buy it as a 4x4, as I have gotten stuck (prior to switchin out my dinky factory locker, no worries now) and wished I had the 4x4 to get me out.

As far as when to buy, few things:

1) Tell them you want the X-Plan offer. This is automatically an extra 3k-4500 off the already discounts they are offering.

2) August is truck month for Ford, and thats when can truly "WHEEL-n-STEAL" a great deal on a new truck

3) Dont wait for the new engine (The Eco-boost or the new 5Pointer). The 5.4 3v they have is the last TRITON to be made, get one while you still can.

Again, this is just my 2 cents. Feel free to return any change

 

I completely forgot about the X-plan..

With the X-plan you have to be able to get a PIN number from some who works(ed) for or is affiliated with Ford. If you can find someone to get you a PIN go for it... Google the Ford X-Plan and you find out all the info will need for it... But you can still get a good price without the X-Plan...

 

my last truck was a 08 F150 stx with 7k miles on it, practically new. It was my first truck and I loved it but in the back of my mind I couldn't stop thinking about why I bought a 4x2 instead of a 4x4...if that helps