Sry for the newbie questions but hopefully you guys can help me out.

I currently drive an 02 Ranger edge 4x4 4.0 SCab and am looking at getting a full sized.

The truck i'm looking at now is an '04 STX 4X4 4.6L, Auto, towing package, Regular Cab with 23K miles basically in cherry shape, 1 owner, well maintained and still has the remainder of the ford warrenty on it. the stealership is asking $16K for it, i owe on my ranger but won't take much of a loss trading in.

First question, is there anything in peticular with this truck i should look for (i know the basic vehicle look over stuff) but i'm talking any specific problems with this year truck/engine i should watch for.

second, is there any easy way to tell if this truck had the optional locking diff? i read that the 3.55 gears with a locking diff was an option and was wondering if i could tell by the VIN or maybe just looking at the pumpkin?

Thanks for you help guy.s

 

I was looking at a used 4x4 xlt reg cab with the 4.6 last fall for about 20k ended up getting a new 05 xlt 4x2 the only reason I didn't go with the 04 was becasue it was an as is deal and the truck had 33k on it at the time I looked at it if I could have gotten some kind of warinty on it I would be driving the 04 with 4 wheel drive instead of my 2 wheel drive truck.

 

seems wierd..if it was a dealership they should have tried to talk you in to the infamous "extended warranty".. I live in VT and a 2wd truck is no fun in the winter.