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1999 4 Wheel Drive Engage Lever

6K views 5 replies 4 participants last post by  Wicked0ne 
#1 ·
*EDIT* Sorry about the weird formatting. The forum doesn't seem to like my youtube video links and I'm unsure how to change it so they appear properly.

So tonight I join the fine ranks of TJ ownership! I picked up a 99 with lowish miles(108k) for a pretty good price. It does have a little frame rot that I'm going to have to take care of, but I'm happy with it so far.

When I got home I was re checking over everything and I noticed that when I go to engage 4x4; 4x4 seems to engage about 3/4's of the way. If I keep pulling the lever to where 4x4 normally engages the 4x4 light goes off and if I attempt to put it in gear and move it makes grinding noise like I had not fully engaged 4x4 and was between gears. If I pull the lever all the way to 4lo it does seem to actually engage in 4lo.

I've read that this can be the case on Jeep's with body lifts. Is that true? I don't think this Jeep has a lift, if it does it's no more then 1 inch or so.

I uploaded a youtube video to demonstrate this because frankly I suck at explaining things. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_un1nXFOh3A

Since I just bought this Jeep I'm extra paranoid about things being broken/wrong so I got under the vehicle and noticed that the front drive shaft has a little rotational movement to it when it's in 2 wheel drive. The rear drive shaft does not budge. I assume the rear drive shaft does'nt budge is because the t-case only has the rear drive shaft engaged and its parked in 1st gear. Does that make sense? I'm not very familiar(yet) with how the drive train works. I also am linking to a short youtube video of the front drive shaft's rotational movement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUGY7Z802qw

Sorry for the wall of text, I'm just anxious/excited about the new Jeep.
 
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#2 ·
You probably just need to adjust the transfer case linkage. It's a very simple thing.

How the 4WD system works is, in order to shift into 4hi, you can be moving at any speed. From 1MPH to 50. Sometimes you don't even have to be moving much at all- just a tiny roll of a few inches.

As for 4lo, you NEED to be moving- and it has to be as SLOW as possible, but still rolling. So basically- 1-2MPH roll, and you can shift into 4lo. If you hear a little grinding, that's normal.

For adjusting the linkage, it'll be a fairly easy job. Please refer to this thread: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/adjust-transfer-case-4wd-linkage-1532702/

Hopefully that answers everything. Congrats on the jeep!
 
#3 ·
Almost forgot about the play in your drive shaft. I believe that amount of play is normal- worst case scenario, the u-joints are going bad.

I'm pretty sure it's normal. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I'll have to get under my jeep and check.
 
#4 ·
The rotational play in your drive shaft is normal and necessary. It is the backlash setting between ring and pinion gears. You will find the same in the rear if out of gear. To adjust your 4x4 linkage take a 1/2" wrench under the Jeep, and loosen the adjustment bolt on the linkage (from the rear of the t-case skid). Make sure your 4x4 lever is all the way forward, and the shift lever on the t-case is in the most forward position, then retighten the adjustment bolt.
 

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#6 ·
Wow guys, thanks for the EXCELLENT responses. I was worried that I had overlooked something when I bought it, but as it turns out the things I posted are normal.

Looking at the body frame mounts it does appear to have a slight body lift(has some "hockey puck" like spacers). So I think that would account for the 4x4 shift lever being somewhat out of place. I just replaced a brake line on it and bringing it down to a shop to have them look at the frame. When I get back I might attempt to readjust the 4x4 shift linkage(not sure thats the proper term).

You guys rock. Thanks again for the very informative responses.
 
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