xfer case troubles
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Quad Cities, IA
xfer case troubles
My '89 (see signature) is going just fine, but I was attempting to try out the 4Lo range in my 4x4 setup, and the darn thing will NOT go past 4Hi. It goes into 4Hi just fine, but won't shift past that to N, and thus can't reach the 4Lo range.
There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the 4x4 part of my truck, as it engages and disengages properly, but I just can't get that shifter to move any farther.
Anyone else have this trouble? Is it something I should just live without? This pickup isn't worth enough to try tearing into it to rebuild/repair, since the whole truck was only $550. I doubt I'd really need 4Lo much, since the ZF tranny has a really good granny-gear.
There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the 4x4 part of my truck, as it engages and disengages properly, but I just can't get that shifter to move any farther.
Anyone else have this trouble? Is it something I should just live without? This pickup isn't worth enough to try tearing into it to rebuild/repair, since the whole truck was only $550. I doubt I'd really need 4Lo much, since the ZF tranny has a really good granny-gear.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Davis & Newcastle, CA
I don't know much about the manual shifter since I've got the electronic, but I've seen my brother struggle with his. Are you sure you're pushing the shifter down into the floor when trying to move it?
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Sand Lake, MI
Yea my plow truck has the same affliction, I never use low range and now the shifter won't push down to get low.
The whole lever moves down to clear a detent pin, look at from underneath and you'll see it
Need to free it up but just haven't had the time to mess with it.
The whole lever moves down to clear a detent pin, look at from underneath and you'll see it
Need to free it up but just haven't had the time to mess with it.
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From: Quad Cities, IA
Thanks for the quick replies, guys.
My '85 doesn't need to be pushed down on to get it to move, it just pulls back. I guess that's probably the issue here. I tried moving it over to the left (the diagram on the **** looks like it should move like that, but it doesn't), but haven't tried pushing it down yet.
I'll give that a shot tomorrow. Thanks for all the great advice!
My '85 doesn't need to be pushed down on to get it to move, it just pulls back. I guess that's probably the issue here. I tried moving it over to the left (the diagram on the **** looks like it should move like that, but it doesn't), but haven't tried pushing it down yet.
I'll give that a shot tomorrow. Thanks for all the great advice!
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From: Quad Cities, IA
Quite possibly worn off. This truck looks ancient. Aside from the fact that it runs like a top, from all appearances it should be sitting in the bottom of a pile at the scrap heap.
I think that's why I like it so much.
I think that's why I like it so much.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Central PA
Take the shift linkage off and lube the heck out of it. 4x4 low is not used much . I have had the linkage rust solid. Good luck
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From: Quad Cities, IA
That'll probably have to wait 'till this weekend. Too much work during the week, not enough hours in the day.
Even though the body is quite rusty on this thing, and some of the parts in the underside, the tranny and transfer case have both been replaced at one time or another, and both look durn near new. I figure if the engine ever goes out, or something major happens to the truck itself, I'll yank those two out and sell 'em seperately. Probably get more for the ZF than for the whole truck.
Even though the linkages don't have any noticeable rust, lubing them up is still a good idea. I'll probably make a day out of it Saturday and just lube everything that moves.
Even though the body is quite rusty on this thing, and some of the parts in the underside, the tranny and transfer case have both been replaced at one time or another, and both look durn near new. I figure if the engine ever goes out, or something major happens to the truck itself, I'll yank those two out and sell 'em seperately. Probably get more for the ZF than for the whole truck.
Even though the linkages don't have any noticeable rust, lubing them up is still a good idea. I'll probably make a day out of it Saturday and just lube everything that moves.
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From: Sand Lake, MI
Originally Posted by lostin90s
Take the shift linkage off and lube the heck out of it. 4x4 low is not used much . I have had the linkage rust solid. Good luck
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i know little to none about 4x4, especially 4LO, but our tractor is really hard to get in/out 4wd sometimes. but it helps if you can take some pressure off the gears...roll up or down the hill a couple inches, then it will pop in.
that help at all...even the same in a truck? same issue you're talking about or totally unrelated?
that help at all...even the same in a truck? same issue you're talking about or totally unrelated?
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From: Quad Cities, IA
Originally Posted by tomtoc
i know little to none about 4x4, especially 4LO, but our tractor is really hard to get in/out 4wd sometimes. but it helps if you can take some pressure off the gears...roll up or down the hill a couple inches, then it will pop in.
that help at all...even the same in a truck? same issue you're talking about or totally unrelated?
that help at all...even the same in a truck? same issue you're talking about or totally unrelated?
I'm on my way out to work in a few minutes, I'll probably tinker with it on my lunch break today.
Thanks for the great replies, though!
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From: Belle Mead NJ
On my 95 F350 to get into 4 low I have to go from park to neutral a few times, some times if i let of the brakes to give it a little roll it will go in. It should go. As my truck looks good from the outside is rusty down under from snow plowing. And if mine goes in I dont see why yours wont. Wierd.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Whatever you do don't force the lever or you'll snap the linkage in half.. been there. On your '89 there will be a large bolt running front to rear that the lever pivots on, and it's probably siezed. Remove this bolt, clean and lube with antisieze or grease. The lever should then more left around a gate and come way back almost to the seat to engage 4low. The truck should be stopped and in neutral as well when shifting into or out of 4low..
Tuned
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 372
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From: Central Minnesota
You've got a Borg Warner 1356 transfer case. The shift linkage inside the box is worn. Period. Ford (or BW) fixed the issue in the early 90s. Google Borg Warner 1356 transfer case and you'll quickly see the issue. The cam that works the detent gets very sloppy inside, and hasn't got enough travel, due to the wear. The case is a fairly easy pull and disassembly, and you can also address the oil pump issues common to these that show up in the 150,000 mile range. This is totally indedpendent of how much use the transfer case recieves.