Shifting 2 to 4 (H&L)

[ChrisNLA]

Even though the manual or anyone else says be stopped when going into 4Lo, it is MUCH easier if you are moving at least a little bit. I see a mention or two of doing it in reverse but I have never tried it, but I know that the 1-2 MPH thing makes things much easier, less noise and less effort.

Correct. It's one of those things that by the book isn't always right.

Mine goes in to 4LO in neutral most of the time without problem, but occasionally it needs a little bump in drive to get the gears to line up.

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[GuzziMoto]

As people have already said, it helps if you are moving, and with an automatic trans it tends to be easier if you are moving AND you pop it into neutral while shifting it. That applies to 4H or 4L. If the gears in the system are moving a little they tend to line up easier. You don't have to be moving fast, in fact you probably don't want to be moving too fast. But if the gears are not moving, they may line up easy but they also may not. And if they don't line up AND they aren't moving, it will not want to shift. It should not be a contest of strength to shift the transfer case. In fact, typically there is a bushing at the shift cable that you don't want to break.
TeraFlex used to have a nice video on shifting the transfer case. Probably still out there.

 

[Janster]

Just a note..... Switching from one mode to the other, requires gears to mesh together and everything else in the driveline to magically work. That's why you might need a bump, or a roll for things to mesh or clink in (per say).

When I switch in & out of 2hi/4hi - I take my foot off the gas so there's no applied 'torque' when its switches.

You might also want to avoid switching when the vehicle is in a turn (or tight turn), because the driveline could be under torque load. It won't easily or smoothly go in or out while there's pressure on the gears.

 

[ALT2870]

Correct. It's one of those things that by the book isn't always right.

Mine goes in to 4LO in neutral most of the time without problem, but occasionally it needs a little bump in drive to get the gears to line up.

The manual contradicts itself as it also says to be in neutral at 2-3mph for the shift. That's what I do and so much smoother.

 

[firemedic2714]

Like others have said, the shifters are tight when new and loosen up the more you use them. I also think owners get more used to them being stiff and adjust accordingly. On a regular basis, I shift through 4hi and 4lo on a loose gravel road near me while also using the lockers and sway bar disconnect.

 

[WambliSka]

When I start rolling into my trail head I ease off the gas and shift to 4H. After a few times it gets much easier. As has been said 4L should be practiced a few times when you don’t need it so you get the hang of it and to get the “feel”. You also want to do it before you need it. Trying to do it when you are already in trouble and have one wheel in the air is kind of “undesirable”.

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