Are All V8 Explorers AWD or 4WD?

[Wease]

I'm looking at a 1999 Explorer. It has the 5.0 V8. There is no switch for 4WD, yet the salesperson claims it is AWD. CarFax says it is 4WD (but that might be because they have no AWD distinction), so without actually getting on my hands and knees and looking underneath, is there any other way to tell? What about from the VIN? Or was the V8 option only available with the 4WD or AWD drivetrains? Sorry for all of the questions...

 

[Texplorer]

I am pretty sure all V8's are AWD, not 4WD.

 

[james t]

it will be AWD, with no low range. and by the way, i have a 96 5.0 and its 2wd.

 

[Robert]

Until the 2002 model year, all V8 Explorers were either AWD or 2WD. They were not offered in 4WD. The only way to tell is to crawl underneith and look for a front differential since the VIN doesn't include that information.

 

[Wease]

OK, thanks for the help fellas.