Does placing the gearbox in 4WD physically stop the front and rear wheels from rotating independently front to rear? I've seen some stores say AWD and some 4x4 when referring to the Ranger. If it's true 4x4, placing the truck in park on a slippery boat ramp should lock both front and rear correct? If it's a 2x4 and the rear wheels slip in park down a ramp, the whole truck would roll away right? Hence 4x4 thinking is good for parking and pulling out.

 

AWD uses a fluid coupler for the front wheels, so no direct drive, so they are never "locked"
4WD uses direct drive for both front and rear when in 4WD, which is why you should never use 4WD on dry pavement, but can use AWD

So if in 4WD all 4 wheels would be prevented from turning in Park
In AWD just the rear would be prevented from turning in Park

If rear wheels are slipping, in Park, on a boat ramp then you need new tires, lol, or more weight in the rear of the pickup truck

 

the dash switch has 2 wheel, 4 wheel high, 4 wheel low and it works as it should 5 speed automatic transmission in it