4WD question

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 16, 2015 | 05:50 PM

carlislefordf250

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 37

Likes: 0

4WD question

So, since I bought the truck I haven't had 4wd. The shifter linkage was broke and I hadn't replaced it til today. My question is, when I shift it into 4H from 2H, it is just a little pull back on the lever and then not much of a push back to 2H. To get from 4H to 4L I actually have to push down the lever and pull to get it back to 4L. Is it supposed to be easy to get back and forth from 2H and 4H?

Mar 16, 2015 | 05:57 PM

bashby

Post Fiend

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 7,437

Likes: 4

From: Charles Town, W bygod Va

Yes
10 letters

Mar 16, 2015 | 06:09 PM

carlislefordf250

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 37

Likes: 0

Quote:

Originally Posted by bashby

Yes
10 letters

So does it become a problem of it slipping out of 4H when climbing or mudding etc. or any other time it is engaged?

Mar 16, 2015 | 06:13 PM

eakermeld

Cargo Master

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 2,168

Likes: 4

From: South Central,MO

The detent in the t-case should hold it in, but if it isn't, something needs attention.

Mar 16, 2015 | 06:45 PM

Nothing Special

Lead Driver

Joined: Feb 2013

Posts: 5,006

Likes: 72

From: Roseville, MN

The point is to make it easy to shift between 2hi and 4hi, which might normally be done while driving, but to make it hard to accidentally shift into neutral or, worse yet, 4lo while driving, either of which could get you into trouble or possibly damage something.

For what it's worth, I used to have a J**p CJ5. The Dana 20 t.case in that had a pretty solid detent keeping it in 4hi. When trying to pull it back into 2hi it would require so much force that it would usually skip right through 2hi and end up in neutral. No biggie if I was stopped, but when it happened on the highway it meant coasting to a stop on the shoulder so I could shift back into gear without grinding. And if there was snow on the shoulder I had to go back to 4hi to be able to get started reasonably quickly and I'd risk going through the process again (or just staying in 4hi). So the easy shifting between 4hi and 2hi is a really good thing.

Mar 16, 2015 | 08:31 PM

dixie460

Postmaster

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 3,533

Likes: 17

From: SW Florida

Yes, that is normal. And no it won't ever move on it's own.

Mar 17, 2015 | 03:34 PM

carlislefordf250

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: May 2014

Posts: 37

Likes: 0

I went out and looked at the detent and it shows just a little ^ between 2h and 4h. And from what you guys are telling me, that makes sense now. Thanks for taking the time to explain. This is the first truck I've had that 4wd was controlled by a lever.