Gears are another thing you have to look at. What gears are in both trucks? If either truck has smaller than a 3:73 you may be looking to regear them. If the ford had the 3:55's they would work but they wouldnt pull the 35's well in mud. Heck even with the 4.8 chevy and 3:73's you may have a little trouble with 35's. I would definatly find out what gears are in both trucks, i'm not sure what gears chevrolets use but if it has someting like 3:55's in it I wouldn't get it unless you want to do a gear swap.

 

chev = no ground clearance, 8.6'' rear ring gear, only fits 33s with a 6inch lift on a 1500, 35s with lots of trimming and rubbing.
the ford sits higher to begin with. the 9.75'' rear end in the ford is alot stronger, will fit 35s easy with a 6inch lift. im sure theres more reasons these are just a few that poped into my head.

 

I know on the NBS chevy/GMC you can't fit 35's witout trimming but on the body style he's looking at I could sweat that 35's will fit with no problem on a 6' lift. Not %110 sure though. Actually I think i've seen 35's stuffed under one with just the T-bars cranked but I had a LOT trimmed on it and looked stupid.

 

If you are worried about the electric 4x4...my '01 has 173xxx on it with the electric 4x4 and it works just as well as the day it left the factory

 

I love Fords for various reasons. But my maintanance bills for parts are less on the chebys

 

Carfax of ford. http://www.carfax.com/cfm/ccc_Displa...RF08L63KC81508

Hope that works. Bought and sold twice in a short period. Kinda scaring me

 

On a manual the lever only actuates the transfer case, the front axle still has a switch and is actuated by vacuum. If it doesn't work you still don't have 4x4.

So even with a manual shift you still have electrical switches to go wrong.

I would go with the Ford just because it has a bigger engine, although the GM is easier to work on. Although neither truck is all that great for a beater/wheeler with the style of front suspension they have.

I don't know about the Chevy but you can take the VIN for the Ford to a dealership and they can look up what has been done to it by running it on Oasis.

 

My brothers 04 - 05 chevy 1500 has 33's with 18x9 wheels with 4.5" backspacing and they fit fine with only a 3" body lift. No trimming required. I think the 02 will be about the same.

 

Looks like the person only put 1 mile on it. I would think it was probably auctioned off. If it was traded to a dealership that does not do high volume of hi mileage trucks they will auction it to another dealership or small lot that does