When I was searching for a truck, I came across 2 candidates (one PP, one on a lot) that had the 4x4 selector. I had already pulled the window stickers before viewing them and knew they were 4x2, so the presence of the selector was a shock. A quick peek under the front end showed no differential or drive shafts running to front wheels. It literally takes 10 seconds to install that selector. I think some people do it for the cool factor. Others...maybe to scam the unsuspecting buyer. The PP guy was honest about it. The salesman at the dealer tried to say it was 4x4, but I attribute that to lack of knowledge on the salesman behalf.

 

just turn the switch, take a hard turn at slow speed and see what happens? Binding = 4wd, no binding = 2wd? or look for a front diff? or for more fun take it to a wet mud field, step on it in "2Hi" and then in "4Hi" and see the difference?
Can't say I fully support the way [MENTION=174015]Summers22[/MENTION] put it, but I would tend to agree...

 

I cant for the life of me see buying a 8K-10K truck and not knowing if its a 2wd or 4x4, and resort to asking total strangers on a forum what their thoughts are. Then some of you defend this like it is normal behavior. I am in awe.

 

I'm with you man, this is ridiculous. All OP needs to do is see if there is a front diff.

 

[MENTION=174015]Summers22[/MENTION]...I agree with you totally, common sense is lost on quite a few people these days... Kind of silly to ask total strangers what your vehicle is equipped with since none of us can see the whole vehicle. I personally would look under the truck to verify, but hey that's just what I would do. others need to be reassured or have their hand held in order to figure out life...

 

Common sense would dictate that one read the post and the question asked. He asked if there was a way to tell if it had been converted, not if it was 2 or 4wd. I guess we do agree on one thing: common sense is lost on some people.

 

So I ask again to the OP...what was the outcome?

 

1) go to fordparts.com enter your vin and hit search catalouge. itll pull up your vin and tell you if the truck was a factory 4x4 or not

2) grab the radio wood grain trim and pull straight toward the back of the truck. be careful as the passenger airbag light harness is short. unplug it and let the trim rest on your console/seat. reach around and feel if that 4x4 switch has a harness into it.

3) at start up do any 4x4 hi/low lights briefly illuminate?

4) looking under the vehicle from the driver side look for a tcase at the rear of the trans or a prop shaft going to front diff.

5) if you elevate one of the front wheels and engage the 4x4 you shouldnt be able to turn the wheel

 

Damn! hahaha way to encourage people to post their questions. Morale-suppression team on-board

 

The truth hurts....if someone has to ask how to tell if a truck is 4wd or 2wd, they shouldn't be driving a truck. Especially AFTER they already paid thousands of dollars on it. I think F150forum is being invaded by Liberals....