Front disconnecting in 4 low

Mozzer · February 7, 2020

I was trying to extract myself from a snowy driveway & in 4 low (manual transfer case shifter) the front was not engaging, I didn't realise until I got out & saw no signs of spinning at the front. The lever kept popping back slightly so I was somehow in 2 wheel drive but low range. I got out eventually after selecting 4hi but am a bit concerned if this could be happening in 4hi while I'm driving down the highway too.

2014, 5.3, 4x4, work truck

JimCost2014 · February 7, 2020

6 minutes ago, Mozzer said:

I was trying to extract myself from a snowy driveway & in 4 low (manual transfer case shifter) the front was not engaging, I didn't realise until I got out & saw no signs of spinning at the front. The lever kept popping back slightly so I was somehow in 2 wheel drive but low range. I got out eventually after selecting 4hi but am a bit concerned if this could be happening in 4hi while I'm driving down the highway too.

2014, 5.3, 4x4, work truck

How were you attempting to put it in 4LO, have you tried to engage it since?

L86 All Terrain · February 7, 2020

I believe you need to be in neutral to engage 4Lo but you probably know that. Were you wheels cranked? Sometimes this will keep 4x4 from easily going in. I cant see a mechanical problem with floor shifter/4Lo if it was working in 4Hi. There is an electronic component that engages the front axles to kick into 4x4, if that wasn't working in 4Lo it wouldn't work in 4Hi most likely.

Mozzer · February 7, 2020

Yes, will only go in when in neutral, wheels were straight. After getting unstuck & doing the job I had to do at that property I tried it again in 4 low & couldn't get it to go wrong, drove another 10 minutes in 4 hi & no problems.

Maybe some snow or ice built up somewhere to prevent proper engagement? Not sure & I'm not crawling underneath today.

Thanks for the replies.

2014, 5.3, 4x4, work truck

tlaw91 · February 8, 2020

I can’t describe to you the exact reason however I do know that newer JK Jeep Wranglers have the exact same concern (got stuck in a rubicon once because we didn’t engage before getting stuck)

Doesn’t sound totally abnormal

Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful here other then a Jeep story haha

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