I've posted a previous thread on a problem, but thought that I'd make sure of the proper way to shift 4wd. I've seached other posts on this topic but haven't found the question that I'm after. Would, or does it, make any difference when using the floor shifter to go from 4hi to 2hi if the truck must me moving to properly engage to 2hi. I can't seem to get the transfer case to engage 2hi. I've been making, or trying, to do the shifts while at a stand still. Does it matter if it needs to be in park or neutral?? I know it is a 'shift on the fly' but does that mean exactly that?? From a stand still do any of you get a small noise like gears grinding right before you engage the 2hi or 4hi? Maybe I'm just doing it too slow.

 

as long as your going straight and your foots off the gas you can go from 4wd HI to 2wd HI or vise versa. Sometimes i can't get mine to shift between the two when its stopped i'm guessing its because the gears or whatever in the transfercase aren't lined up. you dont have to be moving fast just make sure your coasting and it will most likely go right into 2wd. Your not driving around on dry roads with 4wd right? Because that would be bad.

 

Thanks 'theeplaymaker' I'm hope this is my problem too. I have never tried shifting from a stop before..always done it while driving and have had no problem. I've been trying to do the shifting for the past two days while the truck was stopped, figured if something was wrong that it would cause less damage. Was waiting to see if someone else had a similiar problem to try the shifting while moiving. I'm not driving around in 4wd on the road. Haven't made it out of the driveway, since the problems started. Though, thanks for the heads up.

 

My 96 dakota with the floor shifter would take awhile to disengage 4wd. It would make a loud pop sound a little way down the road. Sometimes I would put it into 2wd then back up and that would disengage it. It done that from day one when bought brand new.

 

Just tried to shift going down driveway (about 150ft.). It was in 4hi and I tried to shift to 2hi. Light on dash still stayed on saying it was in 4wd. Stopped at end of driveway and shifted back to 4hi, then the 4wd light went off. Shifted back to 2hi and the light came back on. I then backed up in 2hi. Did the whole thing again, but this time I shifted to 4hi while coasting the length of driveway and I heard a thud sound come from transfer case area. I figured that was the 4hi engaging so I press the accelerator but nothing happened. Stopped but it into 2hi and backed up into wet grass and tried to punch it going foward to see if it really was still in 4wd. It was. Am I not giving it enough time to engage between the two???
Fireman2828- How long of a distance did you go after shifting into 2hi before it actually engaged it??

 

Fireman2828- Tried your idea and drove in 2hi for about 1/2 mile going at 20-25mph and nothing happened. It's still stuck in 4wd. Thank you for the suggestions. I'm up for anythng right now. While trying to turn the truck around in my driveway I decided to shift, from a stop, to 4hi and then straight back to 2hi. Light on dash finally went off. However it's still in 4wd. I'm about ready to throw in the towel and take it to a shop, but don't want it to be from some stupid little mistake that I'm making.

 

hmm definitely shouldn't be this hard maybe there is linkage broken or bent or something somewhere...not even sure if there is linkage or if it goes directly into the case but you can check it out maybe

 

I'm clueless about it too. Tried driving it again in 2hi for another 1/2 mile. The light stayed off but it stayed engaged in 4wd. Figured it would shift by then. Anytime it try to shift while moving it seem like gears are wanting to grind against each other. Will keep searching.

 

Take your shifter, and place it in neutral and the truck in neutral.

Play with it until you get it. I had this happen to me and it took awhile to get it to go back to 2 hi, from 4lo.

 

It would usually take about 1/8 mile. Doesn't sound like your doing anything wrong. Mine only made the thud coming out of 4wd. Have you checked the fluid levels in the t-case and the front end? Might be dry making it stick. If I find any info anywhere, I'll let you know.