I have a 1997 Dodge Ram auto transmission. A few days ago I was in a desert area in Utah and using 4H quite a bit. The terrain wasn't particularly tough....... except one or two places where I could have used 4L.

I never could make the switch from 4H to 4L. I stopped, put the transmission in neutral....... then tried to shift into 4L using the method shown below. I put a LOT of pressure on the stick....... but it simply wouldn't go to 4L. I was about 15 miles out from any road... and didn't want to "break" anything so I gave up and got back to pavement using 4H.

What is the problem ...... or what am I doing wrong? Any suggestionss? Thanks.... Jason

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4H to 4L or 4L to 4H

Slow the vehicle to under 3 mph (5 kmh), shift an automatic transmission to N (Neutral) or depress the clutch on a manual transmission. Shift the transfer case lever to the right and pull firmly down into 4L. Do not pause in transfer case N (Neutral).

NOTE: Pausing in transfer case N (neutral) in vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission may require shutting the engine off to avoid gear clash while completing the shift. If difficulty occurs, shift transmission to Neutral (N), hold foot on brake, turn engine off, and THEN make the shift to desired mode.

Do not attempt to shift to or from 4L while transmission is in gear or clutch is engaged.

 

Try doing it fast with the truck off. Pull from 2wd to 4lo in one quick motion.

 

If the quick motion doesnt work.. check your linkage underneath.. may be bound up on something.. don't think so but suggestion

 

+1 on shutting it down.

 

Thanks guys for the replies......... Do Dodge Rams (with auto transmissions) have (general) problems with shifting in/out of 4wl???

It's a real shame....... I have an old '91 Jeep Wrangler with manual transmission..... It is sooooooo easy to go into/out of 4WL.......

 

When I got my 96 it wouldn't go past 4h. It was one of the reasons I got it cheap that and the foot of snow that kept it from getting looked at. Well when I finally got a chance to get under her I found the problem. It looked like the guy that owned it before me took it through wet concrete. The whole shifter assembly was covered in hard dirt, stones and cement. With a screw driver and a half hour later she was a little stiff but shifted ok.

Does everyone else have to back up ten feet to get the front diff to unlock or is that normal.

 

no, not really. you do have to shift the t-case THRU neutral without pause, as there are no synchonizers in the in/out of low shift like there are between the 2hi/4hi, which is a shift on the fly.

if yours still has a problem, search here for the broken t-case snap ring problem, which is very common, and allows the main shaft to flop around out of position. also as said, check linkage and test things with ignition off.

 

I have to back up a little to get mine to disengage.

 

Mine shifts easier when you are still moving slightly versus stopped completely

 

I assume while your truck is still moving you have nevertheless have it in neutral, right??