Problems with 4x4 low

[Lunchbox88]

Hi everyone! Im new to the forums, just recently picked up a 98 ranger ext, 5 speed manual with 4x4. So far Ive flushed the cooling systems, changed the engine oil, tranny oil, rear diff oil, transfer case fluid, put on a new fan clutch, and flushed the power steering.
The problem I am having is that when I put it in 4x4 low I wait until the light comes on, then try to move forward. The truck just jerks and some loud clunking noises came from the front end. The strange thing is that the truck will move in reverse in 4x4 low. Everything seems to be fine in 4x4 high. I hope this is in the right section. Any help would be greatly appreciated and I have already learned alot from these forums. Thanks

 

[Earl43P]

That was very descriptive.
Makes it sound like a bad transfer case, failing in 4Lo forward only.

I have no expertise in that area, but transfer cases are easy to come by, not very expensive. I have never replaced one either, but I'm bumping your thread back to the top so that someone more expert will see it and comment.

Welcome to The Ranger Station.

 

[Lunchbox88]

Thanks for the bump, I was really hoping it wasn't the transfer case but I guess, if I could get some more opinions that would be helpful.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

sounds like the planetaries are toast inside the t-case.

time for a junkyard case. very simple replacement proceedure. unbolt the skid plate, drivelines, 5 bolts for the t-case and it slides off the transmission output.

 

[Lunchbox88]

how do I know if its the right one? About how much do they cost?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

just get one from the same year(ish) ranger and it will be the right one. there is a front drive shaft update somewhere in the 2000ish era that you need to look out for (just make sure you find one with a drive line that looks like yours), and 95 and down cases have a different connection on the shift motor, so avoid older cases.

and the mechanics at the junkyard can help verify you have the proper case.

prices will vary depending on location....youll just have to call around and ask.

 

[Lunchbox88]

thanks guys, also i just wanted to check because I dont know alot about this trucks 4wd. Does this truck have the pulse vacuum system? And is it possible that could be the problem?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

it does have pulse vacuum hubs, but those are in the same state in 4hi as they are in 4low. so a problem with the hubs would show up anytime the truck was in 4wd, be it high or low.

 

[Lunchbox88]

Thanks for the clarification! great info guys, I will try to pick a transfercase, when Im at the junkyard is there a way to tell if its good or bad without hooking it up to my truck first?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

transfer case failures are not overly common. just grab one out of a truck that it obviously wrecked and chances are it'll be good.

after you pull it off the truck, you can spin the input by hand in each mode (2hi, 4hi, 4lo) and make sure it doesnt make any funny noises and spins smoothly.

 

[Lunchbox88]

Awesome thanks Ill try to pick one up soon. Thanks again