4x4 to 2x4

[M37UK]

I know this has been mentioned before but is there a "trick" to taking the transfer box out of 4 wheel drive?
Mine was stuck in 4x4 and I couldnt move the lever so I tried rocking the truck back and forth a bit but no luck so I drove down the road for about 3 miles and then I was able to slip it out with no force at all !!
Is this what they refer to as gear wind-up or something?


Cheers

[Sal]

I think its called Drive line wind-up Stu. My M is set up for 2 wheel drive only so I never had it happen to it , But its happened to me on my other truck a few times, All I had to do was to move it in rev then forward a few times and it would take some of the tension off the drive line. Then I was able to move transfer case back into 2 wheel drive.

Sal

[cuz]

Moving a bit on unpaved surface or unlocking front hubs if you have them will also help with the gear wrap-up problem.

[M37UK]

thanks guys, will try the off-paved road trick the next time.

[pwrwagonfire]

Have this problem all the time at work with our two WM300 power wagons.

The trick (to our trucks at least) is to come to a complete stop, the put it in first and drive forward. While you're moving, put your foot on the clutch and shift out of 4x4. Works every time for me.

The lockout hubs sometimes are extremely difficult to disengage BEFORE you take the t-case out of 4x4 (on our trucks anyhow). It's really common to have to rock the truck a few times to get the hubs unlocked.

[M37UK]

Is this problem common to other trucks of this age or is it something unique to the Dodge?

[pwrwagonfire]

You know thats a good question, I'd ASSUME it's common with all 4WD trucks of this age but I have no proof of that...maybe somebody else can chime in here

My boss has said its always happened with our power wagons (he's been driving them since '76), and I know I've heard guys in other fire districts complain of the same thing.

Always has to happen when I'm by myself so I have to get in and out of the truck a bunch of times (I'm 6'4" so I guess unfold myself is more appropriate)

[Sal]

Sal

[Cal_Gary]

You might also get the jack stands, lift it up to take the tension off-that might free it up.
Gary

[8543bob]

I have the same condition, I do a lot of driving on the beach, I have lock out hubs and find it almost impossible to free the hubs while in 4WD. I have found that pushing the 4WD lever into 2WD just before leaving the sand works almost all the time. GOOD LUCK BOB

[Carter]

I have found that backing up several feet while pushing the lever forward with my foot will disengage the transfer when stuck in 4WD.