80's Ranger 4x4 for the Trails

[Curious Hound]

Get the front up on jack stands. Lock a hub. Rotate the tire while watching the shaft behind it. If the shaft turns, the hub locked. If not, it didn’t.

 

[eightynine4x4]

Took it for another test on the trail. 4L definitely has more torque! So I hope that's a sign 4x4 works in general. I put it in 4L while in Park. It was a little weird because i thought the shifter had to be moved left a bit, then down through N, then to the right again to get into 4L. This is how it's drawn on the knob. But it just wanted to come straight back to 4L. Dash light then indicated LOW 4X4 and the truck pulled itself around strongly. However, when i stopped and took it out of 4L and went to shift into 4H, i saw no dash lights indicating 4x4 anymore. Tried multiple times going from 2H to 4H and and got zero 4x4 indications unless i went all the way into 4L again. So something deviated somewhere.
I have a feeling the transfer case shifter may have some physical issues. However, i'm still not convinced i'm entering 4x4 at all. Sure the 4L gave me a bunch of torque, but wouldn't that still be the case even if the truck never got power in the front axle? There'd be more torque in the rear still, right? In any case, 4L feels great. I'm positive i'll use it climbing steep lumpy trails instead of using the throttle as much.
Before i shifted into 4L, i did some time in 4H. I switched back and forth from 2H and 4H while on the move. I didn't have any places to do sharp turns so couldn't really be sure about the radius changing. I'm pretty sure i could feel more traction but i can't be certain about that either since it's subjective. I think i'll start by jacking up the front and testing the hubs.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have a feeling the transfer case shifter may have some physical issues. However, i'm still not convinced i'm entering 4x4 at all. Sure the 4L gave me a bunch of torque, but wouldn't that still be the case even if the truck never got power in the front axle? There'd be more torque in the rear still, right?

It is a sign than your t-case is entering 4wd. Confirms nothing about the hubs though.

My truck is sitting in the garage right now in low range with the hubs unlocked.

 

[eightynine4x4]

It is a sign than your t-case is entering 4wd. Confirms nothing about the hubs though.

My truck is sitting in the garage right now in low range with the hubs unlocked.

Well that’s good then. So if there IS an issue, maybe I start working with the theory that one of the hubs is not locking.
This shifter/indicating is a separate concern though. I guess the position sensors or dash bulbs themselves could be finicky and have dodgy connection . Yesterday the left turn signal indicator finally came on after a few days driving and it had worked fine last year.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I am not super up on the electric t-case, I have only ever had manuals.

The t-case is marked what it is doing. If you put it in 4hi the shaft will be pointing at 4hi if you pull the shift motor off.

Do you have manual hubs or automatic?

 

[Curious Hound]

I am not super up on the electric t-case, I have only ever had manuals.

based on the following, I think he has a manual t-case.

maybe loose or burned out indicator bulb in dash

I put it in 4L while in Park. It was a little weird because i thought the shifter had to be moved left a bit, then down through N, then to the right again to get into 4L. This is how it's drawn on the knob. But it just wanted to come straight back to 4L.

 

[eightynine4x4]

Manual T case shifter and manual hubs.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Ok

Could be a wiring issue too. My lights never worked (and now never will work)

 

[eightynine4x4]

I guess it could be a loose bulb on just the 4x4 indicator. It’s just weird that afte shifting into 4L it stopped working. Come to think of it, I’ll try putting it into 4L again and see if the 4x4 light also comes on or if it’s just the LOW light coming on. I forget. So if the 4x4 light does come on during 4L, then the issue is something deeper than just the bulb

 

[RonD]

4H and 4L bulbs in dash, both get 12volts with key on, but are not grounded so don't come on until grounded

On the transfer case, drivers side top, above shift rod there will be a 2 wire connector, its plugged into a "plunger" type switch, when you shift transfer case a cam inside the transfer case pushes the switch up or down, which GROUNDS one of the wires or unGROUNDS the wires

That's what turns the bulbs on or off, grounding by this switch

Picture here:

https://imgur.com/NBa0qsS

Thats the front drive shaft yoke the shift rod linkage is circled, above that circle is the switch with black 2 wire connector

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Thinking back I did have my stock linkage get loose before and it caused weird shifting. Also with everything tight there was a very slight detent for 4hi, the lever could move past it.

 

[vagabond80]

I had a motorcycle instructor who would ask "what does [this] dash light mean?" And the answer was "the bulb is getting power/working". Point being, it's not a totally reliable indicator of what it says. I've actually had a few bikes that would get the neutral light while still in gear.

You might get some better perspective pulling the boot off your shifter to observe the shifter position/slop/guide

 

[eightynine4x4]

Took it for another test run. This time had the boot off so i could watch the manual transfer shifter motion.
2H to 4H seems to work and indicated well on dash again.
Tried shifting to 4L in Park, no dice. Completely stops at 4H. Put it in Neutral, moves easily between all positions albeit still doesn’t jog to the left to pass through “N.” It just goes straight and easy through all 4 positions. Drove in 4L and felt good.
Stopped truck, put in N, took it back to 4H. Lights indicated fine again as opposed to last time when after 4L the 4H 4x4 wouldn’t come on.
So as long as when I’m dealing with 4L I only do this when in Neutral, everything seems to work. Park is a no go. Maybe on some trucks that’s supposed to be the case?
I believe I can feel the difference between 2H and 4H. It’s more subtle than I was expecting but this is my first truck so I have no point of reference..

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

When mine had an automatic it would only go into 4lo in neutral.

I think park is supposed to work too but it must keep things in a bind or something.

 

[eightynine4x4]

Did an oil and filter change today too. Messy! But all went well. Included a quart of Lucas oil in the balance.
Engine is starting to sound like it should. Really nice and gurgley sometimes. There’s still some light clammer here and there but sometimes it goes away and it sounds super nice and smooth at low speeds. I have to fix the small exhaust leak still and I think it’s what causes the engine to really sound like it’s growling abrasively when rev’d. Looking forward to sealing that.
I have a lot of fluids work and bushings replacement to do and the truck is going to improve with each. I think a radiator flush may be next. It looks nasty in there.
My engine temp gauge is stuck at low so I can’t trust that the coolant is doing it’s job. Will need to tackle that gauge before I start taking longer rides.