Can't get out of 4 low

Tank97

Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2018
Messages
61
Location
Branson MO
I went wheeling a couple days ago and was unable to get the Jeep out of 4 low after I finished. I drove home very carefully and tried to figure out the issue. I watched a video in how to adjust the linkage to make shifting in and out of 4 wheel drive easier but got no results from that. Is there a way to manually shift out of 4 low? If I can do that I might be able to figure out the issue. But also I know that the factory tc linkage is kind of garbage. I should also mention that I dropped my skid plate the fix a binding issue in my driveshaft. Any tips or advice to get this resolved would be awesome! Thank you in advance.


also. Does the orientation of my linkage look correct. It is in 4 low ATM.

C0DE25B4-2196-49BD-AEAA-A4089685B334.jpeg
 
It's hard to tell from the photo but the shift rod probably slipped out of adjustment. A single bolt with a 1/2" head holds the rod in position, they can and do slip.

The red circled bolt is what normally loosens enough to let it slip out of adjustment.

transfer-case-linkage.jpg
 
Figure out why your cross shaft linkage is angled down on the transfer case side causing the linkage to bind will most likely solve your problem.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tomcat and AndyG
Okay, I'll say it ... get rid of that linkage and replace it with a Savvy cable shifter and NEVER have a problem again.

Pretend I don’t know anything about this issue. What’s the benefit of the cable vs bracketed linkage?
 
  • Like
Reactions: reddvltj
Pretend I don’t know anything about this issue. What’s the benefit of the cable vs bracketed linkage?

Just look at all the threads from people with shifter problems, they're everywhere.

Many many members here run a cable shifter and you won't see shifter problem threads on those.

The cable shifter uses one cable connect to the TC shift lever and the inside shift lever and 100% replaces the stock linkage. Once adjusted it never binds, comes out of adjustment, gets dirty and hard to shift. It makes shifting smooth as butter and it's not affected by lift height. It's probably one of the best mods someone can to to their TJ.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Moon Eyes
If you didn't support your trans/ TC when you dropped the skid, you prb bent or broke something. At the least, pulled it out of adjustment.
 
You can see this Jeep is either lifted or has sad body mount bushings ....by the cocked linkage ...plus the whole deal is really crusty . A good penetrating lube, or a bad one , to start with needs put on.

yes , you can manually get it out by turning the lever on the transfer case.. but if the linkage is bound , you need to loosen the 13mm nut to move the lever. Remember it’s likely all froze right there, so it may need broke free.



also , it will go to neutral..so don’t run yourself over .

the cable beats any variation of restoring the linkage...by far.

as big a fan of the cable as I am...and I have 1 TJ with it and one without it..,so I really know the difference....a linkage is a moving part and needs periodic cleaning and lubrication. They seldom are thought about , but often cussed when the neglected part fails.
 
I went wheeling a couple days ago and was unable to get the Jeep out of 4 low after I finished. I drove home very carefully and tried to figure out the issue. I watched a video in how to adjust the linkage to make shifting in and out of 4 wheel drive easier but got no results from that. Is there a way to manually shift out of 4 low? If I can do that I might be able to figure out the issue. But also I know that the factory tc linkage is kind of garbage. I should also mention that I dropped my skid plate the fix a binding issue in my driveshaft. Any tips or advice to get this resolved would be awesome! Thank you in advance.


also. Does the orientation of my linkage look correct. It is in 4 low ATM.

View attachment 149197
When you dropped your skid plate, did you support the transmission and transfer case with a jack or a jackstand?
 
Pretend I don’t know anything about this issue. What’s the benefit of the cable vs bracketed linkage?

Pretending that has inspired me to post this:

Just imagining the multiple linkages, rods and levers that would be required to operate the throttle, brake and clutch from the handlebars of a dirt bike show proof that cable is best.

I know the brakes on street bikes and the clutch on most (all?) cars are now controlled with hydraulics, does that create the possibility of hydraulic transfer case shifters taking over in the near future?

I hope not. Now I need to get my CJ rebuilt.
 
I know the brakes on street bikes and the clutch on most (all?) cars are now controlled with hydraulics, does that create the possibility of hydraulic transfer case shifters taking over in the near future?
Some Ultra 4 guys are using air shifters on their transfer cases. Thats where the money and engineering currently is.
 
It's hard to tell from the photo but the shift rod probably slipped out of adjustment. A single bolt with a 1/2" head holds the rod in position, they can and do slip.

The red circled bolt is what normally loosens enough to let it slip out of adjustment.

View attachment 149198

I agree......
In the picture that the OP posted it appears that the rod is bent and may have slipped out of adjustment.
 
It's hard to tell from the photo but the shift rod probably slipped out of adjustment. A single bolt with a 1/2" head holds the rod in position, they can and do slip.

The red circled bolt is what normally loosens enough to let it slip out of adjustment.

View attachment 149198
I already tightened that and everything is snug. The linkage is trying to turn but doesn’t seem to want to move at all in the TC side.
 
If you didn't support your trans/ TC when you dropped the skid, you prb bent or broke something. At the least, pulled it out of adjustment.
I had it on a jack and lowered it to where it needed to be. But I feel like something still could’ve gotten bent.
 
You can see this Jeep is either lifted or has sad body mount bushings ....by the cocked linkage ...plus the whole deal is really crusty . A good penetrating lube, or a bad one , to start with needs put on.

yes , you can manually get it out by turning the lever on the transfer case.. but if the linkage is bound , you need to loosen the 13mm nut to move the lever. Remember it’s likely all froze right there, so it may need broke free.



also , it will go to neutral..so don’t run yourself over .

the cable beats any variation of restoring the linkage...by far.

as big a fan of the cable as I am...and I have 1 TJ with it and one without it..,so I really know the difference....a linkage is a moving part and needs periodic cleaning and lubrication. They seldom are thought about , but often cussed when the neglected part fails.
The linkage is bent because I lowered the skid plate. I will try some PB blaster on it this afternoon.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AndyG
I already tightened that and everything is snug. The linkage is trying to turn but doesn’t seem to want to move at all in the TC side.
I watched a video that said to loosen that bolt, put the 4 wheel drive lever in the correct position, which in my case is 4 low. And than tighten the bolt back dow and that should get you lined up correctly. Does that sound right to you?
 
I watched a video that said to loosen that bolt, put the 4 wheel drive lever in the correct position, which in my case is 4 low. And than tighten the bolt back dow and that should get you lined up correctly. Does that sound right to you?

Yep! I always make adjustments in 4L