life expectancy of switch motors

[Mickey Bitsko]

2000 ranger 167k I use my 1354e year round mud, water, snow. Don't think the switch motor has ever been changed.
Generally how long do these motors last ?

BTW , never had it under water,
thanks..

 

[adsm08]

You mean the shift motor? They last until they break. The usually carbon the contacts on to the armature before they actually fail.

I find they tend to fail a whole lot more often than the big metal bar used to shift a manual transfer case.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

You mean the shift motor? They last until they break. The usually carbon the contacts on to the armature before they actually fail.

I find they tend to fail a whole lot more often than the big metal bar used to shift a manual transfer case.

Thank you, unfortunately this is what I have and until or unless I change it will have to deal with it.
I'm thinking of all the spare parts I could carry this maybe one of them, Napa is having a 10% off sale friday and my cost for a new Dorman for cheap, might be good insurance ...IDK..

 

[RonD]

Shift motors last/work longer if you use them at least once a month.

You don't have to drive in 4WD high or low, but if you shift transfer case from 2WD to 4WD and 4WD low once a month it will keep the armature and brushes clean.

General failure is when you go to use it the first time after 6 to 8 months of disuse and the brushes are not in good contact with armature so no power in the motor and no shift.
If you tap on the motor's case it will usually start working again but needs to be pulled and cleaned at that point.

Good read here on the shift motor: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TCaseshiftmotor.shtml

There is also The Shiftster that can be used in place of the motor, you do have to climb under truck to use it, but no guessing if you will have 4WD or not, lol.
http://www.theshiftster.com/

But you also have PVH auto hubs so.........you might still be guessing/hopeing
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Apr04/offroad.htm

 

[adsm08]

I'm not sure that it's a part worth keeping on hand unless you need 4wd to clear your driveway for a significant part of the year.

Due to the one important wire running into the transfer case and having to be moved from the old plug to the new one it is not easy to swap out laying on the ground on the trail.

If you are worried about getting stuck in the woods when it craps out don't carry a spare motor, carry pliers.

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

Shift motors last/work longer if you use them at least once a month.

You don't have to drive in 4WD high or low, but if you shift transfer case from 2WD to 4WD and 4WD low once a month it will keep the armature and brushes clean.

General failure is when you go to use it the first time after 6 to 8 months of disuse and the brushes are not in good contact with armature so no power in the motor and no shift.
If you tap on the motor's case it will usually start working again but needs to be pulled and cleaned at that point.

Good read here on the shift motor: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/TCaseshiftmotor.shtml

There is also The Shiftster that can be used in place of the motor, you do have to climb under truck to use it, but no guessing if you will have 4WD or not, lol.
http://www.theshiftster.com/

But you also have PVH auto hubs so.........you might still be guessing/hopeing
http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Apr04/offroad.htm

Thanks RonD...I use it regularly so it should be fine, and haven't had any issues thus far, I have live axles thank goodness one less new fangled gadgets

 

[Mickey Bitsko]

I'm not sure that it's a part worth keeping on hand unless you need 4wd to clear your driveway for a significant part of the year.

Due to the one important wire running into the transfer case and having to be moved from the old plug to the new one it is not easy to swap out laying on the ground on the trail.

If you are worried about getting stuck in the woods when it craps out don't carry a spare motor, carry pliers.

Thanks again asdm08, I carry a fairly complete tool box, includes pliers.