Preparing the Rat for winter.

[Andy D]

I have the Rat prepped for winter. After taking it for a ride around town, I stopped at my sister's to talk to my BIL. We got to talking about trucks, He is a Chevy guy and has a GMC version of the Colorado. It has vacuum shift on the front end and electric shift on the transfer case. He bought it cheap with issues, being ~12yrs old GM. It has air problems and flunked its annual safety and emission test. Plus the front end doesnt engage because it needs a vacuum line. I reached under the Rat. The vise grips are still clamped to where the shift motor should be. I used some white paint to high light the positions and the right point of the triangular shaft. The shift was firm and positive. this time I double checked to make sure that both of the hubs were set to free. Now, if I want 4 High, all I have to do is lock the hubs. I'm sorry , I lack the hardware and the smarts to post a picture. Why Ford would have an electric shift with manual hubs is beyond me. I may attempt to re-invent the wheel with a manual shift in the cab. Until I do I will use the present bodge.

 

[mn_smokeater]

Another option here:

http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83045

 

[bobbywalter]

that stays engaged with just vice grips?


never had good luck doing that.


likely somebody shitcanned the auto hubs and put the manuals on.

look around for a manual t case. then you can run around with the hubs locked and engage 4 hi on the fly.

 

[Andy D]

Sometime it takes a little finagling. Today it slipped in and locked in first try . Once the truck goes forward in 4 wheel it locks in fine.