Yesterday I put my '87 F-250 FWD into 4X4 Low Range and drove approx. one block. Since then I can't get it out of Low Range. I have tried to get it out in neutral and park but it won't budge. I have tried backing up and then putting it in neutral but it still won't come out of low range. I even took off the skid plate and tried to move the linkage by hand but it's still stuck. The truck has only 60K miles on it and I have owned it since 1989. I have only used the four wheel drive low range about ten times since I bought it. Does anybody out there have any idea what has happened and how to get it out of low range?

JerTruck

 

You do know you have to pull the shift lever sideways, right? If you get under it again, you should be able to see the plate on the side of the transmission extension with a jagged slot in it where a tooth of the t-case shift lever rides.

 

Ya, I've tried pushing it to the left and then forward 'til I thought I was going to bend it but it still won't budge.

 

Did you try shifying it while in gear and moving slowly?

 

I've seen the levers on these seize up and not move. You have to remove the lever assembly from the trans and get it apart to free it up. Put some never-seize on the pieces when you put it back together. To get it back into high range for the time being you can just pop the linkage off the lever on the transfer case and move it manually.

 

Are you sure you don't have gear bind? If you can either get it off the ground or on a slick surface you could try that too. Good luck.

 

did you unlock the front hubs,unless their auto-hubs...in that case jack up one front wheel rotate it back an forth then try to take it out of low.....
and remember never to drive it on a dry paved road with the 4wd locked in!!!

 

there is a alum bushing in the trans case that if shifter is slamed in or pushed in to ruffly will bend and bind up and this will lock your truck in low .the bushin is about 5 bucks at any napa but it is a little spendy to have it put in.

 

Put it in reverse and spin the tires in dirt, snow or mud. This will releive any gear bind. 99% sure that is the problem. My 90 does have the shifter problem where I can't go into low range. It is the shifter, rusted/corroded. I had it repaired once and it has done it again. Does anyone know how to fix this shifter problem?

 

 

what does it mean when you can't get it into low range!?!?! Mine will go into high but not low, what is the deal?

 

Wow this is an old thread. Usually it means there is a bind in the linkage, take a look and lubricate it.