Need help with my 4x4 not engaging

[TJEdgar]

I noticed yesterday that when I tried engaging my 4x4 the lever would move freely almost like it wasn’t connected. I’m not sure what happened but I haven’t used the 4x4 in months. I tried looking on YouTube for help but no hope. So anything will help. I can provide more pictures.

2001 Jeep Tj Sahara Automatic

 

[AMS417]

Shift mechanism has popped out of joint. You might have to loosen the bolts under the carpet on the driver side transmission tunnel to get it back in.

 

[Chris]

Now is the perfect time to get rid of that horrible stock linkage and replace it with the Savvy cable shifter so you don't have these linkage related issues again:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073L4L4R5/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[TJEdgar]

Shift mechanism has popped out of joint. You might have to loosen the bolts under the carpet on the driver side transmission tunnel to get it back in.

I appreciate the help!

 

[il buono]

Do you have a body lift or transfer case drop? It looks like someone opted to move the torque shaft bracket down using those two metal plates in your pictures. With the way it was moved, it's easy to see why it popped out. Instead of relocating it with a relocation bracket vertically (see below), yours was moved both down and out. As a result, the torque shaft rod probably barely sites in the hole and may pop out on a decent bump or hit.

Not my pic, but this is a relocation bracket

 

[RobertJ]

Now is the perfect time to get rid of that horrible stock linkage and replace it with the Savvy cable shifter so you don't have these linkage related issues again:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073L4L4R5/?tag=wranglerorg-20

This! You'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.