Shifting Issue into 4WD

[MarineHawk]

I just took my JTR out to retest the 2H-4H shifting. I haven't needed 4H or 4L yet, but I had done it a couple times before.

Mine is pretty easy. I just did it twice at about 20 mph. It seems like it was just a bit stiffer when I was driving up hill and a little easier when coasting (in Drive), but nether was very difficult to do. It's also a little stiffer going from 2H-4H than when going from 4H-2H, but both are fairly easy on mine.

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[mazeppa]

Be thankful for a transfer case shift lever. I have 2005 Ford pickup with the transfer case shift switch, sometimes the 4x4 light on the dash and the actual mode of the transfer case are not in sync. It has an electric transfer case shift motor mounted to the transfer case that may need to be replaced. Without a shift lever you don't have the physical feel while shifting between the transfer case modes. And to shift in/out of 4-low you put the transmission into neutral turn the knob and WAIT and WAIT and . . . . ..........

I had a JK, JL and now a JT, seems like they all shifted between transfer case modes the about same.

I had a TJ with an aftermarket Atlas transfer case, that was a smooth shifting transfer case.

see:

 

[TrailHiker]

So the JT has a different 4wd shifting setup, with different bushing connectors, grand.
Cheers

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I just took my JTR out to retest the 2H-4H shifting. I haven't needed 4H or 4L yet, but I had done it a couple times before.

Mine is pretty easy. I just did it twice at about 20 mph. It seems like it was just a bit stiffer when I was driving up hill and a little easier when coasting (in Drive), but nether was very difficult to do. It's also a little stiffer going from 2H-4H than when going from 4H-2H, but both are fairly easy on mine.

Mine still takes a bit of effort and then I've had it twice not FULLY engage - the lever stopped as if it was in - but the light didn't come on until I moved back to 2H then to 4H and really pulled hard, then it went in.
It's just plain stiff - like something is "too tight" as you don't ever have a point where the lever moves easily - not between, not at either end, it's a hard pull or push the whole way, either way. No reason to go to 4L, likely won't ever use it (only used it one time on my Chevy, 2 or 3 on my Ford) so likely won't know about that for a while.
But you actually have to take attention off the road to get mine to shift. I admit, each time I tried I needed it and was in traffic on public roads, so it wasn't a casual thing and I haven't taken it out on gravel or dirt roads just to experiment.

 

[TrailHiker]

Mine was stiff the first several times, but now shifts quite easily between 2wd and 4wd, the secret is to let off the gas and be going at least 2mph, 5mph is better, then it shifts quite easily I think.
Cheers

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Mine was stiff the first several times, but now shifts quite easily between 2wd and 4wd, the secret is to let off the gas and be going at least 2mph, 5mph is better, then it shifts quite easily I think.
Cheers

No problem with the 5mph LOL - was on I80, black ice just coming up under my front wheels, was doing probably 40- no way to slow and a pile-up was imminent if I didn't get the heck out of there ;-)
Then later was trying hard to get home and still on roads where prevailing traffic was a good 20-30 mph (yeah, "too fast for conditions", I hear that)

I'm not giving up! - especially after seeing posts like YOURS and some of the others - it's most likely just new and stiff at this point. You are one of several who have suggested "it gets better" - so it's too early to say it's a problem. Irritating in emergencies is all.
Thanks for the feedback - it gives hope.

 

[AJ-MJ]

As I said before I shifted mine into 4WH at least once a week when I first got my Gladiator. I have been hunting since mid-November. I shift in and out of four wheel drive 3 or 4 times a day and it goes in and out very easy. Just use it and it will get easier!!! It's a JEEP thing!!!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

As I said before I shifted mine into 4WH at least once a week when I first got my Gladiator. I have been hunting since mid-November. I shift in and out of four wheel drive 3 or 4 times a day and it goes in and out very easy. Just use it and it will get easier!!! It's a JEEP thing!!!

Great, you are saying my Overland also has arthritis.

 

[mazeppa]

Something I just remembered, The Overland and Sport have a different transfer case than the Rubicon. Don't know if the non-Rubicon transfer case had a different shifting characteristic.

 

[MarineHawk]

It’s not just that mine is a JKR, it’s that mine has the factory-installed FCA Fanci-Easi-Rubi-Shift-T-Case system. It’s only a $3,200 option, and well worth it.

 

[MarineHawk]

Be thankful for a transfer case shift lever. I have 2005 Ford pickup with the transfer case shift switch, sometimes the 4x4 light on the dash and the actual mode of the transfer case are not in sync. It has an electric transfer case shift motor mounted to the transfer case that may need to be replaced. Without a shift lever you don't have the physical feel while shifting between the transfer case modes. And to shift in/out of 4-low you put the transmission into neutral turn the knob and WAIT and WAIT and . . . . ..........

I had a JK, JL and now a JT, seems like they all shifted between transfer case modes the about same.

I had a TJ with an aftermarket Atlas transfer case, that was a smooth shifting transfer case.

see:

Just watched the video. Thanks!!!

You mean that this whole thing I was worrying about is false on the JT?

This little part called the linkage bushing is a weak point in the transfer case system it's under the cowl...if you yank too hard you can break it left my buddy stranded at work had to go get it for him at the dealership and then have it installed cost 1.00 but it was hell to get it in..... After I got my JKU brand new mine was hard to shift also so I made it a bi weekly thing to shift into 4wd and drive around grass/gravel if I wasn't wheeling so it can loosen up and yes it helps to be crawling a little to shift into 4wd....this is the part....

 

[MarineHawk]

This little part called the linkage bushing is a weak point in the transfer case system it's under the cowl...if you yank too hard you can break it left my buddy stranded at work had to go get it for him at the dealership and then have it installed cost 1.00 but it was hell to get it in..... After I got my JKU brand new mine was hard to shift also so I made it a bi weekly thing to shift into 4wd and drive around grass/gravel if I wasn't wheeling so it can loosen up and yes it helps to be crawling a little to shift into 4wd....this is the part....

See below. It looks like this has been changed/fixed in the JL/JT models. If so, you have posted the most unhelpful, incorrect information in the history of message boards.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Fanci-Easi-Rubi-Shift-T-Case system.

Is that the actual part number?

 

[Jeepnoob34]

Not trying to resurrect a dead thread but I was having quite a bit of difficulty getting my overland to shift to 4hi.

Turns out reading the OM helped out. Letting off the accelerator, right before pulling it down to 4hi, was the difference maker. While it was still stiff, I was actually able to get it into 4hi relatively easy.

 

[TrailHiker]

Yes, you need to be coasting I order to soft in and out of 4WD. Shifting to 4Hi, as you discovered let off the gas then sift to 4Hi. After a few times it get easier to shift.

Going to 4Lo, yiu need to shift main trans to neutral first, be coasting under 5moh, then shift to 4WD N and Then Lo. Same procedure to sift out of 4Lo beck to 4Hi.
Cheers

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