So while coming back from the store just a bit ago, I had put the transfercase into 4WD because we had just gotten a fresh coating of snow and the plow trucks have not been out yet. When I went to put the thing back into 2WD it would not shift out of 4WD. I'm use to it not doing this but, so when I was heading back I decided (stupid of me) put it into 4 wheel low to see if that would drop it out of High and then go back to high then two wheel drive. Well guess what, the sucker is still in low and I had to scream the sucker at 2200 RPM at 30mph to get home.

Transfercase was screaming the whole time since its probably rated for no higher than 10 or 15mph but I wanted to get home before I held up traffic and ticked everybody off. This is in a 1999 F150 5.4L V8 automatic. Is there anything that I can do to fix this?

Times like this I am glad I'm going to get a super duty with manual transfercase and manual over-ride hubs so I can avoid this crap.

 

It tells me the transfer case motor is missing the reversal power to run it backwards to 4H and to 2H otherwise the rest of the system works.
Check fuses first then as a resort check the case motor plug up by exercising it.
After that, if you need the truck, pull the case motor off return the shaft it turns, back to 2wd position and move the motor back to normal 2wd and remount till you get to work on it more.
This should take the whole system out of 4wd so you can use the truck..
Good luck.

 

Jesus this thing is really starting to get to me. So before I was going to check the fuses, I started the truck up and put it into neutral and turned it back to 4L then 4H then down to 2WD and you know what? It goes back to 2WD. I think it could be that when I was trying to shift it earlier that I was still going 25mph and not at a stop. I have no damn clue anymore. Thing has 242K miles on it. Just really making me want to drink and I rather not start.

Is this truck supposed to be stopped in order to go into and out of 4WL? It seems like it now. Goes into 4H like nothing and not even hesitate. Though one other thing I had a few years ago with it was when I was coming back from deer hunting I had it in 4H and I turned it back into 2WD, about 5 miles later going at 55mph, I hear a clunk and bang and it drops out of 4H. What gives? Seems to be a very problematic system that will drive a man to drink.

 

The bigger problem is now you!
With 242k on the clock you have to expect some issues with anything on the truck.
There are way more maintenance issues with intake air leaks, EGR system faults and ignition than 4wd.
Yes you have to be stopped, in neutral and foot on brake to select 4L.
It's in the owner manual.
I would not call the 4wd system problematic being used in that form from at least 1997 to the present time. That's 16 years.
There is a control module called a General Electronics Module.
It controls 4wd, power windows, lighting, wipers and other functions all from he same device.
Every vehicle today is complex and has to be accepted.
Going to another make only trades hardware and electronics issue that will still happen over time.
Good luck.

 

We bought the truck use, the OP never left the owner's manual with it. Plus we were told that it was not necessary to drop it into neutral and come to a complete stop to put it into 4L.

 

I guess you know now why you would not want to switch to 4L while driving over 35 mph.
The factory designed it so you cannot do it, for obvious reasons.
Good luck.