I'm looking at a 2002 Rancher ES and cannot tell if it is 4x4 or not. Are Rachers all time 4x4 or should there be a switch, button or lever for the 4 wheel drive? It is a theft recovery and the dealer doesn't know 100% either.

 

a rancher es IS all time 4x4!!!!!!!!

 

what do you mean ????
look under it ..... is there a front differential unit between the 2 front tire ?????
if yes = 4x4 rancher
if no = 2x4 rancher

if for some odd reason some one would have removed the front diff , you should see a sign by checking to see if there is a shaft coming out of the trans pointing toward the front ......

the 4x4 rancher is 4x4 all the time unless some one installs an aftermarket front drive shaft disconnect like the one WARN makes .
so there is no button , or lever in its stock form.

and the dealer did not know this ???? ouch

there

 

All I know is that there are 2 shafts that come down with boots on the ends where they come out of at the top.

 

ok, if there is any shaft in the front with rubber boots , going toward the center of the tires , than it s 4x4

 

The dealer doesn't know????

 

all ranchers made prior to 2004 are either 2wd or full time 4x4. No switch, at least not oem. I'll assume the dealer isnt an atv dealer, and that is why he/she doesnt know. the es system was availible on both the 2 and 4wd models. like someone said, if the cv boots and differential are there in the front, its a 4wd.

 

The dealer is a car dealer and came across this quad during an auction as a theft recovery.

 

Scan down to see an axle at AXLE Another thing to look for would be some plastic or aftermarket stick gaurds mounted on the a-arms. (If front of the axles.)