4Lo broken--HELP!
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 120
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4Lo broken--HELP!
for some reason, my 4Lo doesn't want to stay in gear. i can put it into gear, but the lever just pops out into neutral. i do have a 2" body lift, and i've been told that the lift will cause the body to get in the way of the lever, so i'd have to cut out some metal to give room for the lever. this does not appear to be the case,however. i checked, and there is plenty of room for the lever, but is just doesn't want to stay in gear.
has this ever happened to anyone? and if so, what was the problem, and how can it be fixed.
by the way, i did take the truck off road, and wheeled just fine in 4Hi and 1st gear. is that bad for the truck
Elder User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 861
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From: SE PA
4Lo broken--HELP!
Nissanjon,
If you have a parttime t-case, sometimes the rods, linkages that go into the case will sometimes loosen and become out of alignment. There is usually 2 rods that contol the position/gear selection. It sounds like you might have to check the "throw" of the rods when shifted to 4-Lo. If you can hold it in lo range and it works, the problem may be it needs a slight adjustment. If the case won't go past neutral then it may be a shift fork bent or broken. This means taking the case apart to repair. This could also be the same even if you have to hold it in with the proper rod adjustment. As far as wheelin' in 4-Hi, I do it all the time, just understand that it will be harder on the trans if its an auto, and you don't want to push it to hard in general, I sometimes prefer to run 4-Hi, just depends on the conditions. A good manual will give measurements for setting the correct position of the rods when in different modes. Let me know what you find.
Chuck P.
One other note, one of the rods may be bent, this could also cause the same type of problem.
If you have a parttime t-case, sometimes the rods, linkages that go into the case will sometimes loosen and become out of alignment. There is usually 2 rods that contol the position/gear selection. It sounds like you might have to check the "throw" of the rods when shifted to 4-Lo. If you can hold it in lo range and it works, the problem may be it needs a slight adjustment. If the case won't go past neutral then it may be a shift fork bent or broken. This means taking the case apart to repair. This could also be the same even if you have to hold it in with the proper rod adjustment. As far as wheelin' in 4-Hi, I do it all the time, just understand that it will be harder on the trans if its an auto, and you don't want to push it to hard in general, I sometimes prefer to run 4-Hi, just depends on the conditions. A good manual will give measurements for setting the correct position of the rods when in different modes. Let me know what you find.
Chuck P.
One other note, one of the rods may be bent, this could also cause the same type of problem.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
Decent idea, and perhaps,,,,,,,,well, maybe you should know that this is a 10 year old thread........................
10 years...........
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 927
Likes: 3
From: Lake Point, Utah
Old Thread...LOL
I know this is an old thread...but... My uncle's 1977 F-150 4x4 Shorty has popped out of 4-Lo since it was Brand Spanking New...He took it to the dealer several times back then and they could never fix it. I don't know the insides of T-Cases well or I'd be able to help him get it straight. It's the 205 as well!!!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
A 205 that pops out of gear is a case that is not engaged, or the stick is binding on something that kicks it out.
4 lo requires the factory stick to be pulled all thae way back, and often the cab / body will not permot this. Any movement of the body will kick the shifter out of gear.
4 lo requires the factory stick to be pulled all thae way back, and often the cab / body will not permot this. Any movement of the body will kick the shifter out of gear.
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Probably doesn't even own that truck anymore 
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 176
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Sorry, didn't relise I would be stoned to death. I thought since nobody had posted my answer it might help someone.. someday who happen to be having a similar problem. It never dawned on me that it was not possible for anybody to have the same problem...EVER... Till the end of time. Guess it makes more sense to just let other members just start another trend everytime they have a question like a Dana 60 sas swap. sorry my bad, I'm not the strongest mechanic on the block, just thought I would try to help where I could, guess it's smarter to keep my mouth shut. I'll try not to let it happen again.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 318
Likes: 1
From: Florida
Sorry, didn't relise I would be stoned to death. I thought since nobody had posted my answer it might help someone.. someday who happen to be having a similar problem. It never dawned on me that it was not possible for anybody to have the same problem...EVER... Till the end of time. Guess it makes more sense to just let other members just start another trend everytime they have a question like a Dana 60 sas swap. sorry my bad, I'm not the strongest mechanic on the block, just thought I would try to help where I could, guess it's smarter to keep my mouth shut. I'll try not to let it happen again.
....?
Its all good 
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Kingwood, TEXAS
Sorry, didn't relise I would be stoned to death. I thought since nobody had posted my answer it might help someone.. someday who happen to be having a similar problem. It never dawned on me that it was not possible for anybody to have the same problem...EVER... Till the end of time. Guess it makes more sense to just let other members just start another trend everytime they have a question like a Dana 60 sas swap. sorry my bad, I'm not the strongest mechanic on the block, just thought I would try to help where I could, guess it's smarter to keep my mouth shut. I'll try not to let it happen again.
<br />
With a name like "Nissanjon" I can kinda see why nobody helped you out.. lol j/k
Anyways my first thoughts when I read the post and saw your recent addition was that some "noob" (sorry) had inadvertently dug up an ancient thread since you changed your screename since then. That's probably why you got the negative attention.
Now that you clarified though it makes sense lol.
I'm curious too.. lol do you still have that truck?
Cheers
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2007
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I am a "noob", I guess?.... I'm not "Nissanjon"... I don't know who he is. I'm just a guy trying to learn a little without asking a bunch of questions that have already been ask or answered, I figured the best way to do this would be to start at the oldest post and start reading my way foward. I came across this question and remembered a friend of mine had a problem with his transfer "popping" out of gear. After a lot of wasted time it turned out that the shifter boot was pulled tight due to body lift... Just seen this post and said "hey here is a problem I may be able to help with" There aren't many I can help with so I figured I would give my 2 cents. I didn't relise I wasn't suspossed to answer old questions. I never got the memo. It won't happen again.