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To shift into 4X4 high, (Automatic tranny) It takes all my strength to pull the floor shift back from 2 wheel high to 4 wheel high. In facty I end up pulling the shift lever **** off in my hands most of the time. It takes both hands and a VERY hard pull to shift it.
I have the same problem, and my **** came off just like yours. The reason is beacause the unit is seized. Sometimes the bearings will seize and you have to buy a new one.
There are two green bushings that allow the bolt to move back and forth. Try using penetrating fluid on the bolt, it might work if you live in a warm area but not in canada.
I live in central Maine. Starting to get cold here now. Has been down to 10* F, the last few days. Can I get to this bolt and bushings just by crawling under the truck, or do I have to dismantle anything??
No, you should be able to see this bolt underneath the truck. Have someone shift it back and forth while you spray it. I only used crappy fluid, so maybe using good stuff would work better. If that does not work you might have to dismantle the shifter and put some "never-seize" around the bushings and bolt. In either case, your shifter should work great after!
Question- I just had a thought. Couldn't I just remove the rubber-boot that covers the shift lever on the the truck's floor to get at the connection?? Seems like that would be easier than crawling under and trying to reach up between the top of the transfer case and the floor of the cab.
Makes perfect sense... but you need to be able access more of the area than just the shift boot. Try the access cover under the carpet or vinyl. I can recall working on my older trucks that way. I don't know if you can disassemble the transmission hump like we did on the older trucks, though. I guess if a Haynes or Chilton's says you can then remove the floor covering and take a shot at it.
I have two gripes with my 7700: the brakes aren't heavy duty enough and the ball joints should be serviceable. Other than that, it's just what I needed.
-Kerry
Last edited by kspilkinton; Nov 30, 2005 at 07:21 PM.
A big part of the problem is that Ford really screwed up the desgin of the shift lever. you can't get a good pull on it, becuase the shift **** will come off right in your hand. I think if they had made the **** and the lever threaded components, than it wuold have been much better.
I know that to shift my truck (a 2000 f-150 xlt) I have had to use two hands since the truck was brand new, one hand to push the **** down, and the other to actually shift the lever. To make matters worse, once that shift **** comes off once, it loosens up and comes of quite easily. Last winter, I finally drilled and tapped a hole in the lever, than ran a screw through the shift **** into the lever. I also used some PB blaster on the bolt mentioned above, which seemed to help as well. Just my $.02
I've never had to shift into 4HI using two hands. I simply pull towards the seat and pops in pretty slick... takes a minimal of movement... it's the 4LO that can be difficult at times.