4WD shift linkage doesn't go into 4-low easily

While I’m waiting for the Savvy I have been tinkering with the linkage assembly and it sure looks like it should all work. I had my daughter move it while watching everything from below. I hear it engages at each setting. But still it does not want to go back into 2wd moving forward. If I reverse, it easily goes back into 2h. Has anyone had a similar experience? I’m starting to wonder if it’s something other than the shifter.... transfer case issue? Strange binding?
 
While I’m waiting for the Savvy I have been tinkering with the linkage assembly and it sure looks like it should all work. I had my daughter move it while watching everything from below. I hear it engages at each setting. But still it does not want to go back into 2wd moving forward. If I reverse, it easily goes back into 2h. Has anyone had a similar experience? I’m starting to wonder if it’s something other than the shifter.... transfer case issue? Strange binding?
Sounds like the linkage to me still, try moving the transfer case manually without the linkage attached. That should answer your question
 
Sounds like the linkage to me still, try moving the transfer case manually without the linkage attached. That should answer your question
That’s the thing.... with the linkage loosened for adjustment, it doesn’t do any further towards the forward position...🤷‍♂️ It’s like there is something keeping it from fully disengaging. Once it’s in that weird in between wheee it won’t quit get to 2wd, it won’t go back up to neutral either. It’s like it’s bound up or something.... luckily I found that I can use reverse to get it back on track, but obviously that’s not an ideal in most situations...
 
That’s the thing.... with the linkage loosened for adjustment, it doesn’t do any further towards the forward position...🤷‍♂️ It’s like there is something keeping it from fully disengaging. Once it’s in that weird in between wheee it won’t quit get to 2wd, it won’t go back up to neutral either. It’s like it’s bound up or something.... luckily I found that I can use reverse to get it back on track, but obviously that’s not an ideal in most situations...
You’ve removed the linkage and tried to move it with a pipe and it won’t budge?
 
Well... I got the Savvy. Unfortunately it was missing a piece which held me up a couple days until Savvy was able to get me the part. Now that its all installed it is a smoother shift, but unfortunately it still seems to bind and not want to drop back into 2wd. The shifter IS bringing the lever fully into locked 2wd position, so its not an adjustment issue. Anyone have an idea of what could be binding and causing this trouble? It still goes back easily if I reverse, but moving forward it just doesn't want to disengage. I'm pretty frustrated and really hoping its something stupid and simple that I'm just not thinking of! I have to imagine someone on here has had a similar issue....

Thanks!
 
Pictures of the install...

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That’s the thing.... with the linkage loosened for adjustment, it doesn’t do any further towards the forward position...
Are you saying the shifter handle (in the vehicle) won't move through its range, or the shifter linkage on the transfer case.
Either way, that should have been sorted out before replacing the linkage.
Also, you shouldn't need a pipe to move it.
Sounds like a transfer case internal issue.
 
Nothing changes inside the case when you install or remove a case drop.
I've read that things like mismatched tire sizes can cause binding that makes disengaging 4wd difficult. I'm thinking that moving the case may have slightly changed the angle of the driveshaft and caused this. I can't imagine it started for no reason, and it was literally directly after doing that. I'll figure it out eventually.
 
I've read that things like mismatched tire sizes can cause binding that makes disengaging 4wd difficult. I'm thinking that moving the case may have slightly changed the angle of the driveshaft and caused this. I can't imagine it started for no reason, and it was literally directly after doing that. I'll figure it out eventually.
What kind of driveshaft do you have? Does anything change when you disconnect the driveshaft and cycle the tcase?
 
Try this process from Jerry Bransford, worked perfectly for me, after I removed my T-case drop spacers and experienced similar issues as yours.

Your shifter isn't adjusted properly to be able to pull it completely into 4Lo, that's why it's slipping out. Body lifts and tcase drops can both affect that. Adjust the linkage by loosening this bolt, circled in red, adjusting the rod so it can pull the tcase all the way into 4Lo, then tighten the snot out of that bolt so it can't slip out of that adjustment.



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Try this process from Jerry Bransford, worked perfectly for me, after I removed my T-case drop spacers and experienced similar issues as yours.

Your shifter isn't adjusted properly to be able to pull it completely into 4Lo, that's why it's slipping out. Body lifts and tcase drops can both affect that. Adjust the linkage by loosening this bolt, circled in red, adjusting the rod so it can pull the tcase all the way into 4Lo, then tighten the snot out of that bolt so it can't slip out of that adjustment.



View attachment 330665
This is irrelevant because he has installed the Savvy cable shifter now