74 cj. No 4WD in low range

Can anyone tell me why I only have 2 wheel drive in low transfer? All of the other gear selections work normal, 4HI 2HI and N. There is no grinding or gear clash and the T-case shifts beautifully otherwise, but the front axle will only engage in 4HI. I've suspended the whole truck of the ground and shifted through the entire gear selection and everything seems to work normal except for 4LOW= rear wheel drive only.

 

You have found the infamous 2 low the Dana 20 sometimes develops. 4 low should be just about on the floor which is another notch back from where you are.

 

That was my first thought. I wonder if it's hitting the body or binding up the shift boot:? It seems to be fully engaged but I will go see if I can get it to move further. Thanks for the help.

 

Looks like I'm going to disconnect the linkage and se if there is a problem with it. I tried pulling the T-case selector as far as I can and its almost to the floor but I still have 2 wheel low.

 

You should be able to touch the knob to the top of the toolbox; then it's in 4LO.

 

Check to see if there is anything interfering with the range of movement of the lever. I had a 77 CJ5 that the PO had installed carpet in, I found out the hard way one night that it would not go into 4-Low as your will not. I pulled the shift boot off and found that the hole in the carpet was not big enough to let the lever move into position. A quick fix and cut with my Buck knife allowed full movement and 4-Low.

 

Thanks for all your help. I'll fool around with it some more tomorrow. Also I noticed while crawling under it that the rubber mount from the T-case to the cross member is blown out, causing the low side of the T-case to rest directly on the cross member. This could have possible implications of incorrect allignment.

 

Got it to work last night but I have to darn near bang on the stick and it pops out of gear when I apply throttle I still wonder if there could be some slop in the linkage

 

Regarding the mount, I'd expect that not to affect the linkage, but it could change the position of the transfer case and make the body interfere with the shifter. If the shifter won't go back far enough, body interference could be pushing it out of gear as the engine torques when you accelerate.

The linkage contains several parts that could be worn, but the most likely worn parts are the ball-and-socket joints. These are available aftermarket. I'd suggest you remove all of the linkage and shifter, and clean and inspect everything... in addition to replacing the mounts.

 

i keep my knob off the t-case to get into 4low ...

 

My 80 CJ-5 has a 4" lift kit. I could get it into 4WD but it would pop out after a short distance. I now have to leave the boot loose so it will totally engage.

 

I will tinker around with it after I get the wheels back on. At least I know it has a 4low. Once I get all the mechanical bugs out of it I'm planing a cosmetic restoration and this will be my daily driver, then I can get to work on my '57 3B. That one is going to be a full frame up job. Just $$$ and time.