Inoperable 4-wheel floor shifter

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Dec 18, 2005 | 11:53 AM

peppermrj

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From: Southwestern Pa.

Inoperable 4-wheel floor shifter

My first 4 wheel drive is a 98 f-150 5.4 auto with a manual 4 wheel drive shifter. Hardly ever need the 4 wheel drive but did today and no such luck. Lever will move side to side but not down into any setting.

Digging thru the haynes manual looking for info and was hoping someone can give me a heads up as to what I am in for.

No mechanic but not a bad parts exchanger.
Thanxs in advance.
Tony J.

Dec 19, 2005 | 09:52 AM

KJKozak2

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From: Cleveland, WI USA

Sounds like it's just bound up. Happens a lot with older trucks, especially if you never shift into 4wd. Careful inspection is the first step. Try to get a look at the linkage while someone else tries to shift and see if you can see where it's binding. In the older trucks that I've had, disassembly, cleaning, and lubricating has solved the problem.

Good luck.

Kevin K.

Dec 20, 2005 | 07:11 PM

bob arrington

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From: alaska

put the transmission in nuetral and then try to shift it, if that doesnt work try moving the truck back and forth ,slowly while trying , you can actually shift those with the truck moving slowly, bob

Last edited by bob arrington; Dec 20, 2005 at 07:14 PM. Reason: more info

Dec 21, 2005 | 07:08 AM

peppermrj

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From: Southwestern Pa.

Thanxs for the responces. I have tried nuetral and rocking the truck. I hope as KJKozak2 says it is bound up. It feels weird in that it will move sideways from door to door quite a bit but not back and forth as it should. It we ever get a dry day I will get under it first thing. We have had snow for the last 16 or 17 days.
tony J.

Jan 21, 2006 | 11:20 AM

bosshoss

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We have had two trucks do the same thing. The were still covered by warnity so i dont know what was done to fix them. On friday i had another one come into the shop, but it was closeing time, so i did not get a chance to look it over well. But it did have the same problems as you mentioned. I should get the truck back next week to t/s the problem.

Dave P

Feb 1, 2006 | 08:10 PM

peppermrj

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From: Southwestern Pa.

Finally got underneath and found KJKozak2v to be absolutely correct. The access is tight. I figure on removing the front driveshaft to be able to remove the whole deal. It really is a rusted solid mess.

I am trying to price a replacement from Ford but can't seem to come up with the part online. Anyone have a clue what it might be correctly called or where to find it?

Feb 2, 2006 | 08:16 PM

xbrianx

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I'm not sure about he 98's but on my 96 the shifter was getting harder and harder to move over time. Insteading of disassembling and lubeing it one day i pulled on it real hard intill it snapped. The cast body broke right at the mount. Appearently this is a common problem and ford has redesigned the shifter assmbly to the cost of aprox $350. like i said it is a common problem so fat chance on finding a used one. I found some one to tig weld it back together. After a healthy coating of anti seize its back in my truck good as new.