4WD selection is backwards

Duelin Rhinos

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Apr 14, 2020
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17
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Arizona
Hey guys, I recently replaced the clutch in my 2001 tj, and after putting everything back together, I realized that when my 4WD shifter was in 2H, the transfer case was actually in 4L. I shifted into 4L and the Jeep drove normally as if in 2H. Does anyone have any insight into how the 4WD selection inverted like that, and how to correct it?
 
Hey guys, I recently replaced the clutch in my 2001 tj, and after putting everything back together, I realized that when my 4WD shifter was in 2H, the transfer case was actually in 4L. I shifted into 4L and the Jeep drove normally as if in 2H. Does anyone have any insight into how the 4WD selection inverted like that, and how to correct it?
You had to have inverted the bell crank but I'm not sure that is possible.
 
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You had to have inverted the bell crank but I'm not sure that is possible.
I really have no idea what’s up with it. Granted, it’s my first time doing a job like this, but I didn’t think I had done anything this nuts
 
The bracket’s off right now and I flipped that link rod over the top of it yesterday thinking that might be it. Obviously, I’ll have to put that back, but even positioned correctly, it was still having the problem

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I really have no idea what’s up with it. Granted, it’s my first time doing a job like this, but I didn’t think I had done anything this nuts
The bell crank reverses the direction of the pull converting it to push at the t-case. There are some aftermarket shifter sthat have eliminated the bell crank with a straight connection that also reverses the direction of OEM so 2 hi is now 4 low.

To have reversed the direction backward from stock with the stock parts requires some shenanigans I'm still trying to build in my head successfully. I'm 99% sure it can be done, I'm not sure it would work very well for very long.
 
The bell crank reverses the direction of the pull converting it to push at the t-case. There are some aftermarket shifter sthat have eliminated the bell crank with a straight connection that also reverses the direction of OEM so 2 hi is now 4 low.

To have reversed the direction backward from stock with the stock parts requires some shenanigans I'm still trying to build in my head successfully. I'm 99% sure it can be done, I'm not sure it would work very well for very long.
Ok, so you’re saying I gotta pull the transmission back off? What after that?
 
Ok, so you’re saying I gotta pull the transmission back off? What after that?
Shift lever on the t-case has an angled rectangular slot, remove the nut that holds it to the case and flip the lever over so it points down. It will help if you put a wrench on it and get both the floor shifter and the t-case into 2 hi or 4 low.
 
I was partially right, the bell crank is inverted but I was not aware that the shift lever could be installed upside down as well. I was pretty sure if you did that, you couldn't get all 4 mode positions.
And yes, that is an issue I’ve been having. Haven’t been able to shift into 4L since this all started.
 
Hey guys, I recently replaced the clutch in my 2001 tj, and after putting everything back together, I realized that when my 4WD shifter was in 2H, the transfer case was actually in 4L. I shifted into 4L and the Jeep drove normally as if in 2H. Does anyone have any insight into how the 4WD selection inverted like that, and how to correct it?
And yes, that is an issue I’ve been having. Haven’t been able to shift into 4L since this all started.
One of these is not like the other.
 
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One of these is not like the other.
True I was confusing in my wording. It’s been a while since I’ve driven it, but as far as I remember, I can shift into “4L” (actually 2H) while it’s moving, but since it’s been stationary, I haven’t been able to shift into “4L” (2H). Admittedly, I’m uneducated enough not to know if that may be because I can’t shift the t-case when it’s not spinning. Sorry for all the confusion.
 
Sorry for all the confusion.
Just get in there an mess with that linkage until it looks like it is supposed to, you'll find plenty of good pictures on the internet that show what it's supposed to look like. You appear to have the stock setup so it should go back together just fine.

This should help, the pictures are pretty good, just ignore the little drop bracket.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/transfer-case-linkage-problems.10890/
Edit: obviously ignore the fact that the thread I linked to is titled "Transfer Case Linkage Problems"