Hard time going into 4WD

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Mar 20, 2009 | 07:40 PM

mtyost

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Hard time going into 4WD

My truck has a really hard time going into 4WD or coming out of 4WD.
I am a pretty big guy 6'3", 250lbs and there are times that I can almost not even move the shift lever.

Any idea what is wrong? Or what might help it shift easier?

Specs:
1997 F150 XLT Supercab 4.6 V8, auto. tranny, manual 4x4. Stock everything. 211,000 miles.

Mar 21, 2009 | 12:19 AM

Prozon

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Your probably just a wussy.

Check the bolts that hold the shifter on. I had the same problem when I got my F-350. My 4x4 shifter bolts were loose. I tightened them up and it worked fine. They might be loose and just getting funny angles or something?

Thats my guess. Start working out wussy.

Mar 21, 2009 | 12:31 AM

Mawk

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Assuming that this is your first 4x4, you should know that it will not shift as easily as a transmission shifter would. And if it's been a while since it was used, might just need some "loosening" up.

Mar 21, 2009 | 01:33 AM

Prozon

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Mawk, I disagree. My truck was near impossible to put into 4x4. And now it shifts into it as smooth as putting my transmission into drive.

Mar 21, 2009 | 06:56 AM

mtyost

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Prozon

Haha, thanks, I will get underneath there today and check everything out.

And Yes Mawk this is my first 4x4.

Mar 21, 2009 | 02:45 PM

Prozon

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Good luck to you.

Just to throw that out there, shifting into 4Hi will be easier than 4Low. And to get into 4Low you have to be stopped and in neutral.

Mar 21, 2009 | 04:55 PM

Mawk

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If worked and used often, it very well will be easy to throw into a different gear. But it still won't be as easy as shifting a transmission from park to drive. People expect that, and when it takes a little finesse, they think something's wrong with it.

I've got a shift on the fly now, so it's all vacuum operated, kinda sucks, but sorta convenient.

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Mar 22, 2009 | 12:21 PM

Prozon

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Are you referring to the **** or to the shifter itself?
Either way the **** screws on and the shifter bolts on. Thread lock it to keep it on.

There are tons of companies that make aftermarket shifters and *****. Go have some fun on google.

Mar 22, 2009 | 12:32 PM

#10

mtyost

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Prozon

I am referring to the **** on the transfer case shifter. Mine doesn't thread on it has splines that it sits on but it doesn't want to stay on the shifter.