2003 F150 issue

[Black2000Ranger]

Hi guys-
I'm the proud new owner of a 2003 F150 xl sport 4x4. Well I was the proud owner until today when I was in mud and tried to put it in 4wheel drive and I find out that the shift lever already is in 4 wheel drive. The truck is not in 4 wheel drive, but the shift lever says it is. No matter how hard I push and pull on this thing it wont go up. I havent really tried to put it in neutral or low, because I am scared it may get stuck in one of those. it moves to the left, but I really don't have the courage to pull it down. I just can't seem to get it to go back up to 2hi. There are no 4x4 lights illuminated, and judging by how well I can turn, it's not actually in 4hi.

Has anyone else ever had this happen with their truck? It's a 4.6 v8 5 speed with a manual transfercase.
HELPPPP

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

You will probably have to diassemble the linkage and see if it is stuck... if not you may have a problem in the case.

It is common for people that gun it before the front axle is engaged to break the shift fork that actuates the front axle. It is a sacrificial piece that will give instead of forcing things to come together and break more espensive things. That could be the lack of 4wd.

Of course something busted in the case could cause all of this too...

 

[Black2000Ranger]

Well with a lot of cussing I finally got it to budge. I guess it was in 2wd the whole time, but it was able to move left still? I knew I fixed it right away when I started the truck and the 4x4 light came on for a second with all of the other lights, and it works fine I suppose. Something must be a little out of wack but at least it works, can't afford a new transfer case right now!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The linkage may just be gummed up then, I would take it apart and clean it and then see if that helps any.

 

[shane96ranger]

The linkage may just be gummed up then, I would take it apart and clean it and then see if that helps any.

This is what happened to mine. When I test drove it, the thing wouldn't go into 4WD. The PO lubed the thing up, and it shifts perfect now (and I bought it).