[csmooth79]

I wanted to know how you could tell if a truck was an AWD or 2WD in the 2002-2004 model years.

Also if an escalade is 2wd does it have some type of traction control with it or will it be useless in the snow.

 

[caddycruiser]

Yep--the vin 5th digit of a 2wd vin# will be "C"; of a AWD vin# will be "K".

As for the traction control question, '02 2wd models had traction control and AWD's had Stabilitrak; '03s and up all had Stabilitrak, regardless of 2wd or AWD. With either system, the 2wd's are actually quite good in snow--not as good as AWD, but still capable. We had an '02 Avalanche 2wd with a rear locker and traction control and it did more than well in the snow and ice--and didn't have to deal with the extra 4wd components and their added maintenance and fuel sucking.

 

[DenverEXT]

You can also look under the front of the truck. The AWD will have half shafts going to the front wheels.

 

[csmooth79]

Thanks guys, Vin#1GYEK and now everything is a go.

Cranberry '02 w 34k miles and should be all mine by the weekend.

Caddycruiser what part of DE are you from im from wilmington, but im getting the truck in Dover.

 

[caddycruiser]

Thanks guys, Vin#1GYEK and now everything is a go.

Cranberry '02 w 34k miles and should be all mine by the weekend.

Caddycruiser what part of DE are you from im from wilmington, but im getting the truck in Dover.

Not too far--live in between Millsboro and Rehoboth Beach, and am right now in college at Villanova. Actually, on my way home tonight for Fall Break. Where in Dover are you getting the truck?

DE, IMHO, should be purely 2wd country for the menial amounts of winter muck it gets and the lack of any treacherous terrain. Never understood why 90% of the trucks/SUVs that dealers in the state order are always 4wd--unless you count the response we got from a Chevy dealer when looking for an Avalanche: "Well, we know most people never even use it, but it's good for resale so that's how we always order them"....okay, so you're spending an extra couple grand for something you'll maybe BARELY use once or twice, only so the truck is then in turn worth more than the 2wd that cost less in the first place when you get rid of it.... :cookoo:

Hence, the reason why our dealer in Rehoboth Beach/Lewes had to search and go get our 2wd Suburban from Newport News, VA--you had to get that far south to even find a single 2wd ANYTHING.