Hi my truck is relatively new to me (about a month) but ive already gotten as cozy as i can with it. so anyways ive taken it out on the highway and i dont have a tach but i can hear the engine and it sounds like its almost at 4k rpms but im only driving 60 mph. I figure this has something to do with the transfer case because i can hear it shift thru all four gears and i can also take the overdrive off so i know the od is engaged. The transfer case shift lever wont budge an inch from the lever or from under the car i doused the whole linkage in penetrator. when i look at the little comb-like thing that seats the shifter i can see that the pin is not touching the gate but floating right in the middle of the last tooth on the selector gate nearest the back of the transmission. If the truck happens to be stuck in 4-lo (its definitely in 4-something i can feel the front tires when theyre locked) is there any way i can disconnect the linkage and shift it by hand at the transfer case? The motor is very tired and has exhaust leaks so its loud but it runs strong and i can definitely feel it struggle when i get to 55 its pretty sketchy. thanks for reading any help appreciated and before i get flamed for being a newb im just trying to learn,

93 f-150 xlt 4x4 302, e4od, bw 1356, 31" tires

 

I didn't know these could go highway speed in low range. That's kind of impressive.

But yeah, sounds to me like you've got it stuck in low. Seems unlikely that the last owner would've left it in low long enough for the linkage to seize there unless they were running it as a snowplow or something. Could be that the drivetrain is loaded (in park or in gear) when you're trying to shift and that's why it won't move. Foot on the brake, trans in neutral, then try to shift the transfer (and remember that there's a little jog to the side needed to go between high and low range). Hopefully it's operator error rather than something wrong with the transfer case.

 

If the t-case linkage is siezed remove it from the vehicle and take it apart, if you try to force it you will break it.

Does the transmission shift through the gears really quickly from a dead stop? If so the t-case is in 4-low but if not the fan clutch could be siezed, that will cripple one of thee old motors.

 

This is where I would look too. Pop your hood and WITH THE ENGINE OFF try to spin the fan. It should have some resistance, but should spin.
Another thing you can do is just rev the engine in park, and listen there should be some fan noise but if it sounds like a jet taking off you probably need a new fan clutch.
Went through this recently myself.

 

thank you judging from the shifter position under the car i think it might actually be in 4 hi... i doubt it would get that fast in low but i wasnt sure what would cause that but a bad torque limiting type fan clutch would explain a lot as mentioned. i tried shifting it exactly how youre supposed to (neutral [with the car on and off] after rolling back or forwards a bit) with the same result. it sounds like it is probably going to be the fan clutch as suggested

 

no the trans shifts through all four gears at regular intervals (10, 22, 35, 40 something). i will check the fan clutch im really hoping you guys saved me a headache fumbling with the transfer linkage

 

ok so the fan moves easy but doesnt rotate freely when the car is off. no play or difficulty moving. but yeah when i listen to it in front of the car running it makes an insane amount of noise but i cant tell the difference between that and my double exhaust leaks and f'ed up manifolds haha