I recently put in a used transfer case from a junk yard. I got it put in a few weeks ago but because of time restraints and work I didn't hook up front drive shaft until last night. I tried truck this morning and wanted to verify that 4X4 did work, but when I put it into 4 high the dash light stayed off I put in 2 high and 4wd dash light came on.

Both ways didn't really feel like it was in 4wd, so I raised all wheels on jack stands and tried again. The front tires never turned whether it was in 2wd or 4wd, until I lightly pulled back on floor shifter from 2wd to 4wd. Then the front wheels would spin. But I would have to hold it slightly between the two gears.

I have verified that there is vac at the cad and being my light will come on while in 2wd and go off in 4wd I believe confirms that the cad is working.. However it is backward.

My next thought is maybe the junk yard gave me a transfer case from a different year with different shift pattens. So I called them and they said it came out of a 2002. That didn't seem right, on the receipt it list the vin # from the truck it was pulled. I looked up vin and that report says it is from a 98 (same as my truck).

So I am lost, does it sound like it could be something as simple as an adjustment? And why is the dash lights backwards from what they should be?

 

Need to adjust the shift linkage for the t-case, and swap the lines at the cad.

 

Certainly sounds like a linkage adjustment problem. You sure you didn't swap the two vacuum lines for the CAD?

Bingo!

 

I might have switched the vac lines, I will deffinatly check. Also when I was putting the front drive shaft on I was able to free spin the front drive shaft to get to the bolts, and then tighten them by putting shifter into 4wd. I checked now and it seems like it is no longer free spinning. Maybe this is also caused by the adjustment?

Any good way to adjust linkage, or just loosen the adjuster and move a little and try?

Got to say you guys were fast answering this one. Thanks again

 

Grab the 01 service manual from the faq section here. Procedure for linkage adjustment is in there.

If the cad isn't disengaging properly, you won't be able to turn the front shaft.

 

I now have 4wd like it should be. My cad lines where in deed backwards. I must of hooked them up incorrectly when I was checking vac. The light says 4wd when in 4wd and goes away in 2wd. Just like I wanted....

A BIG Thank You to HeyYou, and Arde for pointing that out to me. You have no idea how happy I am now.

 

I have a pretty good idea.

My truck totally lost oil pressure today...... such fun.