I recently bought a truck from a private party for 3900, 99 5.2 318 4x4 5spd and got screwed over baddd. The bolts holding the xfer case to the truck were all loose, the xfer case cracked in half and was from an automatic Dakota, the dif leaked its oil and needed replacing so 2100$ later..

the transfer case I had from an automatic Dakota would let me switch to 4x4 or 4x2 as long as I was under 55mph. On the new xfer case I tried switching to 4x4 while going about 20mph and it was unresponsive. When I came to a complete stop I heard a clunk sound like it popped in gear.

Do 99 Dakotas with 4x4 5spd let you change to 4x4 while in motion?

 

My 2000 lets me...how are you sure it didn't go in when you switched it at 20mph? I throw mine in going down the road straight sometimes just to work it and I can't really tell if its going in or not but it always work when I'm going and have to use it at any speed under 55, so yes to answer your question it should go into 4wd while moving

 

Hmm ill put it on a lift this week and try it out, running low on money to afford another xfer case. Thanks for the post

 

I can only tell mine is in by the way the steering is tight while driving. Who put the new case in take it back to them and tell them you want it fixed.

 

I can put mine in 4x4 while driving down the road, all I do is just let off the gas while putting it in. I had to replace my transfer case because it ripped itself in half going down the freeway and only cost me about $1500 that was a new case and rebuilt front drive shaft. But I did do all of my own work.

 

did you replace it with the stock 231HD xfer case? I was chatting with my old tech ed teacher from highschool he said those transfer cases are fairly light duty and underpowered for the amount of power the 318 has. When he goes rock climbing some jeep users have the 231HD and they blow them apart all the time

 

I dont know about that. I know they arent bullet proof but I have put mine through hell.

 

I just replaced it with stock, I work mine pretty good as well and don't have any problems. When mine had blown it had 197,000 miles on it and after examining it I noticed that it had stressed fractures so I blame my 4x4 drive shaft because the high velocity joint had seized up.

 

If you read the Owner's manual it states to switch from 2WD HI to 4WDHI while moving at "Slow" speed" to engage/disengage. To Switch to 4WDLo you have to put the Shifter in N to be able to switch from 4Hi to 4Lo and visa versa at a complete stop

-According to the man.

I'll be honest though.. When I'm in 2WDHI and 4WDHI I dont tell much a difference other than you can sometimes feel the front wheel grabbing and or on some loose material; rocks and such you can hear it biting down.. like when turning. 4WD LO you can really tell.. with the new tires you get alot tighter feeling in the stearing wheel but it is nothing like my Jeep was.

 

Winter time I shift into 4hi doing like 40mph. 4lo like 3-5mph