Stuck 4WD shift linkage
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Stuck 4WD shift linkage
I'm a new poster on this sight, but have learned a lot just from following various threads here. But I have a problem I haven't seen before. I'm looking to buy a '95 F-150 5.0L 4X4. Truck is in very good shape and drives nice (slight pull to right w/ both lockouts on). The real issue is shifting out of 2H is nearly impossible. I can pull slightly, but not enough to get to the 4H hole and no farther. Even at that small amount, it does engage the front wheels. From the looks of this truck, previous owner seldom if ever used 4WD or left the roadway for that matter. Beside the fact this truck has been sitting for a few months. Is it possible the linkage is just froze up from inactivity? Can this be freed up with a heavy dose of P.B. Blaster? Or is this more likely one I should steer clear of unless I'm willing to do more learning about the underside of Ford trucks?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
Likes: 48
From: Northeast, OK
I'm not sure they still used the NP208 then, but I had one that didn't shift right at all. The gears weren't where they were supposed to be and I couldn't get it all the way back into 4hi. Turned out the shifter fork was worn almost off and had to be replaced - along with a few other parts. Cost ~$300 for a guy that knows what he's doing to fix it, after I pulled it and took it too him.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,976
Likes: 2,733
From: Virginia
That's a late model truck. It may have the later transfer case like mine does. To shift mine you have to pull the lever over to your leg, and then pull it back. And they do like to rust and stick. It has a gate down underneath the floorboard on the shifter mechanism. It has a arm that pivots on a large bolt, and this arm fits in this gate. When you pull the lever toward your leg, you are lifting the tip of the arm out of the gate so you can pull it back. This large bolt likes to rust and freeze up. A little wd40 will loosen it up.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 6
From: Georgia
WI uses road salt in the winter. It's quite likely the linkage is rusted if 4WD was rarely used in almost 20 years. If PB Blaster or WD40 don't do the trick, user a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF, that's the most effective rust penetrant. Don't forget the safety glasses, you don't want acetone in your eyes.
You can also use the inability to get it in to 4WD as a negotiating tool. Either they get it fixed or knock off $500 or so because you'll need to "get it fixed".
You can also use the inability to get it in to 4WD as a negotiating tool. Either they get it fixed or knock off $500 or so because you'll need to "get it fixed".
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
If the linkage is rusted you will need to replace it, however If it's not rusted, you can crawl under neath it, and take a pair of pliers or screwdriver and bend the metal over to make the linkage tight again, I had to do that on my old f150 it was getting stuck or going into a gear but not actually changing over. That may be able to solve your issue
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
apache12
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Apr 11, 2014 06:38 AM
jackndelphine
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Mar 31, 2009 06:20 PM
badkittyfc
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
8
Mar 3, 2004 10:52 AM
