I am "contemplating" an FP4A with Dialog 11 and universal table with enclosure. The capability gain of the D11 in the base version (256k) as compared to the D4 is not huge, but then it depends on the application. Firstly I like that the D11 can do conditional loops (IF THEN ELSE). Also it can be programmed while working. What I find most fascinating as a D4 user is that it can do 5 axis, 4 of those simultaneously (or all 5? not sure, but the FP4H/T would suggest 5 axis).
The question now is about what needs to be done to put a full 4th axis on a 3 axis D11 machine. The machine I am looking at (in pictures) has the universal table, so in my understanding it should already have the 4th axis NZP02 card installed. Since the A machines have the old style Bosch drive I guess I only have to plug in the 4th set of Bosch drive cards, which I have, and tune them. Additionally I have to do the electrics to get the required connectors and wiring to the connection point under the x-axis servo.

Now for the question, hoping Milacron answers it:

In Milacron's FP2A auction he shows the display with the 4th axis readout and without the readout. Is that switched on/off in the menu? Does this give any indication of a 4th NZP being present or not? Does this possibly mean that an NZP is not required to run the universal table?
This is relevant also in so far as buying an NZP02 for the D11 seems to be totally prohibitive.

I see now that the pictures of Milacrons FP2A show the standard Bosch with, as usual, 4 axis slots. So certainly no 5th axis is foreseen in this application. This was probably limited to selected machines of the FP CC series.

Yes, the 4th axis display was switched on and off at the control panel in the menu. My machine has a 4th encoder cable and connector hanging loose in the electrical box (it originates from the same module the other 3 axis cables are connected to) but I have yet to actually connect it to my universal table. I presume if this was a powered true 4th axis table all I would need to add is another drive card in the Bosch rack, and alter one parameter to indicate it was present, but of this I am not positive.

One note of caution is that the axis drive cards/boards in the 1989 Bosch drive are slightly different from earlier cards, so, not sure if a 1985 vintage axis card would work in a 1989 machine. It would fit, but I think there are some slight differences in the electronics.

Also beware that some think the D11 is not "robust" enough

Our good buddy, DD, could go into further details on the axis card changes, but it seems he has chosen to use PM only for free advertising these days rather than forum participation.