What is this in front of the shifter?

[Jglad15]

So I got my truck back from getting an alignment today, after I installed my lift this past weekend. I noticed this plastic cover you could pop off in front of the shifter was popped open a little bit and I have never noticed it before. When you pop it off there is a orange lanyard in it and some lever in it. Just curious if anyone knows what it’s for. I’m not saying it was the people at the alignment shop but curious as to what it is.

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[4xjeepr]

That is the transmission release for automatics. It's used in case you are stuck in gear and need it in a neutral gear. I believe it's used for towing or flat towing.

 

[Jglad15]

That is the transmission release for automatics. It's used in case you are stuck in gear and need it in a neutral gear. I believe it's used for towing or flat towing.

Ahh got yah!! Thanks for the quick reply!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

That is the transmission release for automatics. It's used in case you are stuck in gear and need it in a neutral gear. I believe it's used for towing or flat towing.

No, not for towing. Don't use it for that.

For towing -> t-case in neutral, transmission in park.

When the engine isn't running you can't get it out of park.......

 

[Trailman]

In a normal situation, as @ShadowsPapa says, you don't need this for towing. Just put the t-case in neutral. So, this isn't meant to be an everyday solution to towing.

But there are other threads about using this to release the... something... when something happens. I'll search. You do too.

 

[Charles 236]

It is the emergeeency park release for the transmission. If the engine is not running, the transmission shifter will not release the park mechanism. The alignment shop may have used it to release from park so that they could roll it in order to compensate the heads of the alignment machine (the heads attach to the wheels).

 

[Jglad15]

It is the emergeeency park release for the transmission. If the engine is not running, the transmission shifter will not release the park mechanism. The alignment shop may have used it to release from park so that they could roll it in order to compensate the heads of the alignment machine (the heads attach to the wheels).

Thanks!

 

[Rahkmalla]

No, not for towing. Don't use it for that.

For towing -> t-case in neutral, transmission in park.

When the engine isn't running you can't get it out of park.......

Wonder if you know why flat towing with the transmission in neutral is bad. The odds of me ever flat towing mine are basically zero, but now I'm just plain damn curious.

 

[aceisback]

Damn! Can’t believe ShadowsPaPa missed an opportunity to school somebody on what the hell the owners manual is for.?
Or anyone else for that matter. Usually the crowd is a little tougher and with questions like this will club you like a baby seal.
Anyhow, you’ve got a quick answer and more will be incoming. And debate of course.

 

[Lost1wing]

So it's the "awe shift" access cover.

 

[Charles 236]

The emergency park release will release the transmission from park, but it is not the best way to do it. It is, if this makes sense, just barely released from Park. I work in a Jeep dealership and have used it for it's intended purpose, but I could feel the park pawl just barely dragging. If you need to flat tow your Gladiator, use the Neutral position in the transfer case, it is the safest way and least likely to cause damage.

 

[Lost1wing]

Towing an auto in Park would leave the steering wheel locked. Towing with the with the lever ing neutral for both the tc and transmission is what I would think to do. I don't tow much but the TJ tows better if the steering wheel is unlocked.

 

[GoVR46]

Passenger/inlaws ejection seat.
When you can't stand the BS anymore remove safety cover and pull.

 

[Lost1wing]

The emergency park release will release the transmission from park, but it is not the best way to do it. It is, if this makes sense, just barely released from Park. I work in a Jeep dealership and have used it for it's intended purpose, but I could feel the park pawl just barely dragging. If you need to flat tow your Gladiator, use the Neutral position in the transfer case, it is the safest way and least likely to cause damage.

Do you put the autos in neutral and disconnect the battery?

 

[ecidiego]

Towing an auto in Park would leave the steering wheel locked. Towing with the with the lever ing neutral for both the tc and transmission is what I would think to do. I don't tow much but the TJ tows better if the steering wheel is unlocked.

Gladiators don't have steering wheel lock.

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