<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%">Hey yall me and my dad was out today riding around in our 97 f150 4x4 offroad, it has a 4.6, and started to get into some sugar sand so i locked it in 4 hi and it seemed to be locked in cause we got through it ok, well we kept it in 4 hi just incase and we got to some more sugar sand and got dug in pretty bad. Well we tried to dig out around it and tried again and my dad was driving and i was outside and the rear wheels were spinning but the front weren't. The light was on, on the dash display but the front wheels weren't spinning. Eventually a f250 came along and snatched us out no problem. I guess my question is, does anyone have any idea what the problem could be. Also can you check to see if its engaging by looking at the cv joints some how or do you have to actually put it on a lift and see if the front wheels spin. Any helps greatly apprectiated. Thanks.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

You should be able to hear it engage if you stand outside the truck. I can hear my 2000 F150 engage from inside the truck if the radio is off and the window open.... no need to put it on stands, but it can't hurt to do that.

 

when i turn the ****, i hear it click up front like its locking in, but it actually isnt...

 

You can hear the actuator (lack of the proper term) but can you actually hear the engagment? should hear both sounds.... or at least I do if I listen for them

 

Check you vacuum lines. The front end locks in by vacuum. I had to replace two vacuum line harnesses and a vacuum unit behind the battery. If you have cracked or broken vacuum lines, you don't have 4x4 even though it sounds like it went in and the light is on.

Tom