1986 ford bronco ii manual 4x4 doesnt engage

[kmeyer17]

So i bought a bronco ii not too long ago and the 4x4 doesnt work. Ive searched threads and have only found people having problems with the push button 4x4. Not a manual shift lever one like mine. I myself never thought these could break. But anyways the lever seems to shift in all the positions smoothly but no 4x4 or 4x4 low lights illuminate on the dash. And no engagement at all nothing changes like the systems dead. Anyways im not too mechanicly inclined and am a complete noob. But am willing to learn to save money if possible. It isnt my daily so i can take my time. But i have no idea at all where to even start any help or suggestions would be great.

 

[tw205]

Are you basing your conclusion on the lights not illuminating?
How are you determining that the 4wheel drive isn’t working?
When you shit into 4 low does it go into low gear?

 

[kmeyer17]

Are you basing your conclusion on the lights not illuminating?
How are you determining that the 4wheel dri isn’t working?
When you shit into 4 low does it go into low gear?

Thanks for the reply. So i lock the manual hubs, depres the clutch and shift into 4 low. And nothing at all happens. No 4x4 lights illuminate on the dash and 4 wheel drive just doesnt seem to do anything. I might be missing something but the system just doesnt seem to be coming on or engaging

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Brake and clutch both in before shifting to 4low. You will notice an immediate difference in rpm while driving in first if you are in 4low.

 

[kmeyer17]

Ok just tried it like u said and still no change. It still feels like nothing happened and drives exactly how it does when its it 2 wheel.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Ok, I've never looked at how the linkages work on your set up. Hopefully some one else with more knowledge will chime in.
What I would do now is disconnect the linkage underneath.
CHOCK THE WHEELS! I dont want to see you get run over
Take pics first. Then directly move the arm that controls the transfer case and see if you can manually shift it.

 

[kmeyer17]

Ok, I've never looked at how the linkages work on your set up. Hopefully some one else with more knowledge will chime in.
What I would do now is disconnect the linkage underneath.
CHOCK THE WHEELS! I dont want to see you get run over
Take pics first. Then directly move the arm that controls the transfer case and see if you can manually shift it.

Ok thank you i will try that and get back with the results

 

[4x4prepper]

I would check to see if you have a dummy transfer case, i would look inside and see if it had any guts.

Assuming you have manual hubs, lock them in, put the front end up on jack stands, put the transmission and transfer case in Neutral, maybe chock the rear wheels, and turn the wheels on each side on the front. If you rotate the driver's tire forward, you should see the passenger side rotate backwards.

 

[Northidahotrailblazer]

I'd get all the tires off the ground on jack stands. Start it and put it in 4 low and see what tires rotate. if you can see your front drive line spinning and not the front wheels you have a lock out issue.

A manual 4 wheel drive system is pretty simple. Check your linkage, if its good then make sure its shifting all the way. with the hubs locked you should be able to spin the front drive line by hand and watch one of the tires move on the front end. Then shift the transfer case into 4 low, leave the transmission in first gear and you should not be able to turn the drive line.

Just like what 4x4prepper said. get the thing in the air and see what's not engaging.

 

[Snoranger]

There’s a lot of good ideas here, but the quickest test would be... shift the t-case into 4wd, reach under and try to turn the front driveshaft.
If it turns, you have a transfer case or linkage issue; If it doesn’t turn, you have a front axle or hub issue.