4wd slipping

[theoneyoushouldknow]

Question, just bought an 86 Ranger 4 banger. Decent condition, all the bushings were shot. Replaced those. Before I did so, I tested out the 4wd. It was slipping, like, on off on off on off. Im thinking the acutator. Haven't tried to diagnose it yet but was curious with ya'lls input. Maybe a good place to start, or a common problem. Thanks all.

 

[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

Do you have manual hubs on the front wheels, a knob that you turn to lock each wheels hub to the axles?

The "actuator" is an electric motor on the back of the transfer case

Info on that here: https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/how-to-rebuild-4x4-shift-motor.123542/

You will see in the 4th picture down the shift Rods position needed for each "gear", 2WD, 4high or 4 low
In the picture the shift rod is pointed at 2WD(2H)
It would turn counter clockwise to 4H and then to 4L, and then has to turn Clockwise to come back to 4H and 2H, it can't turn all the way around to 2H from 4L

If could be the Shift Motor is not turning the shift rod all the way to lock it in "gear", or one of the front hubs is not locking to the axle.

All 4x4 Rangers have an OPEN front differential, this means if only 1 front hub is Locked then 4WD doesn't work well
Both front axles/hubs have to be locked