Difficulty shifting into second gear after lift install

[Mikebartusmc]

Hi Jeep Forum
Recently installed rough country 3. 1/4" lift kit on my TJ
Im noticing difficulty shifting into 2nd gear it seems to pop out its really hard to shift into 2nd gear
I think its most likely the dropping of the transmission skid plate (shims) used in the lift kit

Q.So what can I do?
Is there a different angle shift lever to use that compensates for the tranny & shift being lowered?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

sincerely

mike

 

[AndyG]

Hi Jeep Forum
Recently installed rough country 3. 1/4" lift kit on my TJ
Im noticing difficulty shifting into 2nd gear it seems to pop out its really hard to shift into 2nd gear
I think its most likely the dropping of the transmission skid plate (shims) used in the lift kit

Q.So what can I do?
Is there a different angle shift lever to use that compensates for the tranny & shift being lowered?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

sincerely

mike

Sounds like your console is catching the shifter - pull the boot by the plate in the console and see if that is the case- I’m not dead sure the solution but I think that may he the cause-

 

[reddvltj]

Hi Jeep Forum
Recently installed rough country 3. 1/4" lift kit on my TJ
Im noticing difficulty shifting into 2nd gear it seems to pop out its really hard to shift into 2nd gear
I think its most likely the dropping of the transmission skid plate (shims) used in the lift kit

Q.So what can I do?
Is there a different angle shift lever to use that compensates for the tranny & shift being lowered?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

sincerely

mike

This video is geared towards fixing the same issue after a body lift but the fix is pretty much the same for a transfer case drop... The best and correct fix (although not inexpensive) would be to ditch the transfer case drop and do a SYE kit on the t-case and a new rear slip shaft with a double cardan joint.

 

[TheBoogieman]

If you installed RC's large t-case drop, ditch it and lower the skid plate (with washers) just enough to get rid of any vibes. A MML will work too.

 

[CharlesHS]

When I installed the RE transfercase drop kit; I had a similar problem.
I purchased (48) 1/2' x 1/8" x 2" fender washers and removed the solid poly spacers.
Starting with four washers per bolt to space the TC skid plate down; I added until the vibes were minimized, but could shift into gear without problems.

 

[Robbieg]

Welcome to the rabbit hole. Bite the bullet, ditch the skid plate drop and install an SYE kit.

 

[CharlesHS]

Bite the bullet, ditch the skid plate drop and install an SYE kit.

That is the long term answer, but the OP may not have the budget so the TC drop will suffice.

 

[Robbieg]

That is the long term answer, but the OP may not have the budget so the TC drop will suffice.

Unless I miss understood I thought that’s what he did and that’s what’s causing the issue.

 

[CharlesHS]

Unless I miss understood I thought that’s what he did and that’s what’s causing the issue.

You are correct that the TC drop is what is causing the problem, but the 1" drop is the problem; which is why @TheBoogieman and I responded the way we did in Posts 4 & 5 about decreasing the amount of the drop.

 

[reddvltj]

When I installed the RE transfercase drop kit; I had a similar problem.
I purchased (48) 1/2' x 1/8" x 2" fender washers and removed the solid poly spacers.
Starting with four washers per bolt to space the TC skid plate down; I added until the vibes were minimized, but could shift into gear without problems.

View attachment 312217

You also asked if there was a modified shifter and I completely forgot, you can replace the lower shift lever with a straight one.

https://www.roughcountry.com/jeep-t...WHpy1h4S0oP0MBcoz2N0Rv-PT64OiyRBoCnfAQAvD_BwE

 

[Jerry Bransford]

You are correct that the TC drop is what is causing the problem, but the 1" drop is the problem; which is why @TheBoogieman and I responded the way we did in Posts 4 & 5 about decreasing the amount of the drop.

For his 3.25" suspension lift I doubt he could get away with anything less than either a 1" tcase drop or a pair of 1" lift motor mounts.

 

[Robbieg]

Just to share my own similar experience, I did just a 2.5 lift and didn’t think I would run into any problems but knowing every Jeep is different I knew it was a possibility going into it. Sure enough ended up with a horrible vibration. I bought a t-case drop and installed it. I would say it got rid of about 75% of the vibration and I could have lived with it but I could not stand the way it positioned the shifter. Same issues as OP with 2nd gear and also caused the stick to be lower to the floor (obviously). I hated the feel. I could have bent the floor pan to make it work. I also could have added Motor mount lifts to make it work but to do all that didn’t seem like the best route. I sent back the t-case drop and got everything back where it should be and then ordered the SYE kit. I dont think it cost much more than if I had kept the case drop and gotten new motor mounts to make it all work happily. This is one of those many things that so many people would do differently if they knew after doing it what they didn’t know before and tossing good money after bad then spending more than it would have cost to go the more expensive route in the first place. I don’t know how the OP’s financial situation is but if you can spend the money I would do the SYE kit. I think you’ll be happier in the long run.

 

[Mikebartusmc]

Sounds like your console is catching the shifter - pull the boot by the plate in the console and see if that is the case- I’m not dead sure the solution but I think that may he the cause-

Huge thank you AndyG great video

 

[reddvltj]

Huge thank you AndyG great video

You're welcome, but it wasn't @AndyG that posted the video...

 

[AndyG]

Huge thank you AndyG great video

I do what I can

 

[reddvltj]

@AndyG playing the part of Geppetto and @reddvltj playing the part of Pinocchio in the sharing of the youtube video,

"SOLVED! Popping out of Gear after Body Lift"

 

[Mikebartusmc]

This video is geared towards fixing the same issue after a body lift but the fix is pretty much the same for a transfer case drop... The best and correct fix (although not inexpensive) would be to ditch the transfer case drop and do a SYE kit on the t-case and a new rear slip shaft with a double cardan joint.

Thank you reddvitj: for the video and help

 

[reddvltj]

Thank you reddvitj: for the video and help

It's all good man!! Just trying to keep things light and fun!! Glad we all could help!!

 

[Agustin David]

Wow.. That's happening to me and I was gonna ask for help. So my understanding is a SYE would fix the vibration... I'm looking at some kits would the stock Axle work or I need to get an axle also what size should I get? I just install 2" Old Man Emu lift kit. I used the lower transfer Case kit but I was having trouble shifting and going into 4Low. What's the best options?

 

[reddvltj]

Wow.. That's happening to me and I was gonna ask for help. So my understanding is a SYE would fix the vibration... I'm looking at some kits would the stock Axle work or I need to get an axle also what size should I get? I just install 2" Old Man Emu lift kit. I used the lower transfer Case kit but I was having trouble shifting and going into 4Low. What's the best options?

You don't need to replace the rear axle but you will need to be able to adjust the pinion angle to work with the SYE kit. As for which size? the shorter the kit the longer your drive shaft can be which on a short wheel base vehicle is always a plus. With only 2 inches of suspension lift I'm surprised you needed a transfer case drop at all.
The transfer case drop should have come with a transfer case shift linkage relocation plate to compensate for the shifter, you will probably still have to adjust the linkage if you installed the relocation plate.