ok here is the deal. I'm looking at buying a 1994 F350 4x4 LB Crew Cab. Has the diesel ( not sure which ), has 5 spd, has had $900 clutch replaced a couple months ago. Guy says the 4wd won't work with no other description. Says the truck drives and runs. What could possibly be the issue. I don't currently have a 4x4 so I need some help. Worse case I'm thinking x-fer case and best something stupid like a vacuum line or something. Any ideas would be helpful I need to come up with some idea on what to offer to cover the repair.

Thanks
Brian

 

If it has the shifter on coming through the floor then it's manual shift. Most common problem is the linkage hanging up. A little lube usually gets it moving again. Not sure if ESOF was available in 94. (Electric Shift On the Fly)

Next is Auto hubs...they are weak. Even if they are manual hubs If one is not engaging the front differential won't work. You can check them by trying to spin the axle u joints with the hubs locked. A good hub won't let the axle spin.

 

ya, i've never seen a manual hub break on a street rig. only one trail rig.
So, go look at it with jim's suggestions.
I dont think ESOF was available until 96 or 97... so yes, probably a simple fix.
What's he asking?

 

if the transfer case really messes up, it will be shift forks, but then, if you drain the fluid, you'll easily find that out when metal and pieces come out.

the linkage is probably not froze up, but its possible.

Its probably the hubs not locking in the front.
that or the front drive shaft is missing.

 

I can't believe you live in MI and said that LOL

Every one of my trucks had the shift linkage hang-up at some point.
MI winters or dirt roads or having fun...muddin' will do it.

My stupid brother didn't know that you need to push down on the shifter
to get it into 4x4 LO, that big-o-gorilla made a heck of a mess of the linkage

 

Well ... I just got photos of it. It has auto lock hubs on the front. It's got a floor shifter for the 4wd also. Dangedest thing I've ever seen it's got power windows and locks on the front but not power windows in the rear two doors, the rears have manual cranks???

He's asking $2800 for it but from what it looks like I wouldn't give over 2k for it. Oh ... it also has a single stack in the bed and what looks like Ranch Hand ( like ) front and rear bumpers.

 

worst case, could be the t-case, probably about $150 at the junk yard, other than that could be the hubs id switch to manual hubs anywhaz.

 

here are some pics of it ....

 

That truck is on autotrader. =)

The drivers side door isn't original either.
I can see the paint color differences in the photo, even if its a small cheepie.
Looks like the chineese aftermarket ones we put on the farm truck.
They usually make a funny sounding close when you close them, more of a pakathunk, then a typical ford shut sound.


Oh come on Jim. If you use the shifter, it doesn't freeze up. =)
If you let it sit, ya it will freeze up like my uncils 97 f150 did.
Do you think you can get to that linkage from anywhere without dropping a tranny?
No way sir.
So, stop belly acheing and come to the dunes for the meet next month, which nobody has apparently seen the date for.

T-case is worse case.
if its the same as an f-150, you can get them rebuilt cheep, but i duno if they are the t15's like the 150.
I didn't think you could get them as cheep as 150 at the boneyard though.

 

Man, I never thought of that, LOL.....It gets used all the time.

Huh?

No way, I'll get sand in my t-case linkage LOL

 

The manual windows in back was common on the older crews, I think in 95 or 96 they started putting the power windows in the back on the XLT's. You could get ESOF in 94, but only on an F150. A possible solution to the no 4x4 that hasn't been mentioned is a broken chain in the T-case. Looks like a pretty decent truck for the price, just make sure it's a PSD.

 

superduty, if the Tcase chain breaks, it wont go very well.
i had that happen to my case.
The chain inside broke and all i could use was 4wheel low for some reason.
new shift and mode forks as well.

broken chain would cause many problems.

 

since it's got the auto hubs on it .... hopefully it's something stupid like a vacuum line off. That's how those worked right??

Yea if it's not turbo'd ... I might pass.

 

No vacuum on the hubs. That wasn't used until 99 IIRC.

 

Nope no vacuum on OBS hubs.