Was gonna back up a hill in my 1988 F150 5spd 4WD to unload lawnmower more easily. Put in 4WD LOW range and popped the E-brake (I do truly hate the idiot who invented this foot-operated E-brake with the uncontrolled release) and let the clutch out. Two loud clangs as I started to back up. YOW, FORGET THIS!! Shifted back to 2WD HIGH and drove up FORWARD accompanied by a clunk - clunk - clunk - sound - - as i later discovered, I had NOT shifted out of 4 LOW even though the shifter lever had shifted, and the light on dash changed to 2 HIGH.
Shift lever works, and is connected correctly to the little lever thingie part on transfer case. This is an unusually technical term, I realize, but we strive for accuracy at all costs.
And now it stays in 4WD LOW, even though I have tried moving shift lever to all positions, including neutral. Nope. Stuck in 4 LOW.
Additional symptom, it makes a clunk - clunk - clunk sound coasting backward in NEUTRAL, sounding like it is coming from transfer case area.
None of the U-joints seem to be pranged (another overly technical term, I realize, but bear with me please). Suggestions solicited. Thank You. JohnG.

 

I had a 95 f150 with a manual transfer case that was a pain in the but to get out of 4 low. What I learned was that I had to have the truck in N and push down on the transfer case lever and then put it in 2 wheel drive. It first happened out in the middle of a 1600 acre pasture and it took me an hour to get it shifted. After that I never used 4 low again. hope it helps.

 

Sounds like something internal, maybe broke the shift fork inside the case. Sounds like your going to have to pull the case and open it up.

 

What about replacing the shift forks with the transfer case IN the truck??? Is that lots harder to do than taking the transfer case out first??

 

it's actually REALLY easy to remove the tcase. 6 bolts hold it on to the housing, and then you have to remove the linkage. The case is very light probably only 50lbs.

 

Hey, FordPerf300, that's really Very encouraging, you really made my day brighter !! Last month I was replacing a seal on a Chevvy 4WD and the transfer case slipped off the jack - - spent the rest of that day just getting it back on (working by myself) so I was approaching my Ford with a bit of trepidation, to say the least. Very much appreciating your encouraging information. Thanks BUNCHES !!!