It should not be a test of strength to shift the transfer case. There is a plastic bushing that will break if you force it too much. That said, there is often some technique and finesse involved. There are gears and sprockets in the transfer case that need to line up to shift. Sometimes it helps to spin them to get them to line up.

 

I don't see a way to spin the gears when the transfer case is in Neutral and I want to put it back in 2H.
Thanks for responding.

Nice. But I want the red seats!

Video was extremely helpful. Thanks,

 

Welcome from Arizona. I assume your moving when going from 2H to 4H.

 

I am not moving. I'm following the steps in the User's Manual. Would moving help lining up transfer case gears to shift to/from Neutral?

shift it while rolling forward slightly and it will shift smoothly.

Ok. I'll give that a try. That might help putting it in Neutral, Kim but after towing it's in Neutral and I have no way to move the vehicle.

 

shift it while rolling forward slightly and it will shift smoothly.

 

See my Replies below.

 

How many miles on the Jeep? It may help a lot to change the transfer case fluid is she’s seen some use.

 

Make sure the fluid level in the transfer case is at the proper level first. Then try rolling, slowly, about 2-5 mph. With an automatic, you're moving in drive in 2H shift out of drive to N while moving. Next shift into 4H, then through Neutral on the transfer case and into to 4L. I like to be around 2-3 mph when going into 4L. I pause for a split second in Neutral on the transfer case then drop it into 4L.

 

I do the 4hi to 4lo shift in neutral stopped. It works while moving at around 1-3mph as well . I prefer to stop, trans in N then I'll drop the tc in 4lo with a quick movement. Same to go out of 4lo to 4hi. I do 2hi to 4hi and back while moving. The tc requires a little force than just shifting the trans but it's not and shouldn't need excessive force. Change your tc fluid, it's super easy and cheap.

 

Be sure to start the engine and put the transmission in neutral when putting the transfer case into or out of neutral.

Also, shut off the engine before putting the transmission into park, otherwise the parking pawl in the transmission will grind.

2015 JKU, we pull behind our 38’ Dutch Star DP

 

This might help

 

Nice. But I want the red seats!

 

2h to 4h is possible stopped or moving. this can be found right in the OM.
You may experience some binding when stopped, so try it while moving. If on pavement, slow and straight. But if it still binds, likely your linkage got tweaked a bit. No body lift right?
And has been mentioned, slow moving for 4h to 4L. 1-3 mph. This also is in the manual.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

I have a 2013 that I tow behind my diesel pusher It can be a stinker to shift the transfer case. Sometimes it goes reasonably easy and other times it doesn’t…..but it always finally goes

 

2h to 4h can be done at hiway speeds. I let up on the throttle a little to easy the load.

4h to 4l is to be done rolling but under 5 mph.

 

I purchased my JKU over a year ago for the same reason and have the same issue just about every time. I have found that you just have to mess with the gears a little to get it to go. I broke the little plastic bushing at the end of the cable linkage someone mentioned previously just trying to force it in. That's when I learned my lesson. Now I have a hand-full of these bushings in the glove box (just in case) and don't apply too much force. Sometimes I have to put the transmission in drive or reverse before trying to get the transfer case out of neutral. Here are the steps I follow to get the transfer case out of neutral: Like you know, the trans is in park and the TC in neutral when towing. If the TC won't go out of neutral, just start the engine and put the transmission in reverse give it a second and then to neutral. Give it a second more for things to stop turning then try to get the TC out of neutral. If that doesn't work, I shift the transmission to drive, give it a second then to neutral. Wait for things to stop spinning again then try the TC again. That normally gets things lined up where the TC will shift. I have had to repeat that sequence before, but most of the time it works the first time. Good luck.

 

Thanks. This was really helpful. Seems to work just like you say.
John

 

My ‘98 TJ steps before disconnecting the towbar. 1. Turn off aux brake. 2. Set the park brake. 3. Put transmission in neutral. 4. Shift transfer from N to 2 hi.