FJ40 Transfer Case will not go into 2wd

alabamacruiser7 · 06-19-09, 03:34 PM

I Just bought the 78 FJ40 in the for sale section. I was trying to tow it home so I put the transmission in neutral and wanted to put the transfer case in neutral aswell. The transfer case seems to be in 4H and will go to neutral but will not go to 4l or 2H. Any sugestions?

MtnClimber · 06-19-09, 03:42 PM

Try rocking the truck while the hubs are locked. That movement usually helps me when shifting the T-case. Mine is pretty stiff as well, so I have to bang my fist on it to move the case shifter.

alabamacruiser7 · 06-19-09, 04:11 PM

I tryed that and it has automatic locking hubs covered by hubcaps. I thought that was weird.

JasonH · 06-19-09, 04:26 PM

You've probably still got the original drive plates in there.

Back up about 10 feet or so, occasionally trying to push it into 2hi. It's just bound up.

KOOTENAY KRUZER · 06-19-09, 08:10 PM

I find that to go from 4H to 2H the easiest method is to accelerate gently then back off the throttle while pushing forward on the lever. You may need at least one tire on something loose like gravel. I do not have any luck trying that shift while the vehicle is sitting still.

avgas · 06-19-09, 08:50 PM

Shift collar backwards inside the nosecone possibly?

3_puppies · 06-20-09, 08:05 AM

couyld be the pivot point froze up, when was the last time it ran??

You could also just pull the driveshafts from the differentials, leave the slip joint on the transfer case.

That's usally what I do. Also if it hasn't run in a while good idea to make sure there is oil in the diffs.

steverb · 06-20-09, 08:56 AM

go under and smack the linkage on the t case its probably a little rusted from rain and dirt and not being used.

77cruiser77 · 06-20-09, 10:48 AM

If I go into 4Hi I cannot go into 2hi unless I unlock the hubs, then reverse 2 feet (I think it releases tension in the old case) and then I can smoothly shift upward to 2Hi. I've had my rig for years and it's always been like this

alabamacruiser7 · 06-20-09, 08:25 PM

I went out today and tryed the reverse thing for about 30 minutes and it didn't work. It will shift from 4h to neutral but nothing else yet. And I don't have manual hubs.

Does anyone know why I wouldn't have manual hubs? Special edition or something?

I am starting to think that my transfer case and hubs are bad and I will just have to drive around in 4h.

fj404life · 06-20-09, 10:43 PM

I would pull the auto hubs...and prolly put them on the shelf. But maybe try cleaning them up? Manual hubs...mo betta!

amaurer · 06-20-09, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabamacruiser7

I went out today and tryed the reverse thing for about 30 minutes and it didn't work. It will shift from 4h to neutral but nothing else yet. And I don't have manual hubs.

Does anyone know why I wouldn't have manual hubs? Special edition or something?

I am starting to think that my transfer case and hubs are bad and I will just have to drive around in 4h.

What makes you think you have auto hubs?

Its likely that you just have drive plates, e.g. no disconnect at all.

KOOTENAY KRUZER · 06-21-09, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amaurer

What makes you think you have auto hubs?

Its likely that you just have drive plates, e.g. no disconnect at all.

x2 - they came from the factory with drive plates. The hubs were a dealer-installed option.

All 3 of my ?j40s have been easy to shift from 4h to 2h while the vehicle is moving, and usually impossible when the vehicle is stopped.

alabamacruiser7 · 06-21-09, 03:00 PM

I didn't know about the drive flanges, that must be what I have. I have tryed to move the stick while the truck is moving. This is my first FJ40. I know in my old Jeep CJ that you are supposed to stay off the dry street in 4h or 4l and I also know that these landcruiser's are a ton better than jeeps so is it ok to be driving around in 4h. I guess the PO was doing that for a while because it is stuck there now. Or maybe somehow the 4 wheel drive is messed up and it is actually only turning the rear wheels.

By the way thanks for all the reply's, this website is great.

amaurer · 06-21-09, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alabamacruiser7

I didn't know about the drive flanges, that must be what I have. I have tryed to move the stick while the truck is moving. This is my first FJ40. I know in my old Jeep CJ that you are supposed to stay off the dry street in 4h or 4l and I also know that these landcruiser's are a ton better than jeeps so is it ok to be driving around in 4h. I guess the PO was doing that for a while because it is stuck there now. Or maybe somehow the 4 wheel drive is messed up and it is actually only turning the rear wheels.

By the way thanks for all the reply's, this website is great.

Whoa whoa whoa... I'm not disagreeing with you that FJ40s are better than jeeps, but you can't drive ANYTHING* around on the street in 4HI. Do not drive on the street in 4HI, even in your cruiser.

*exception - I've seen some vehicles with viscous couplers and full time 4wd call that setting "4HI". Generally thats called fulltime 4wd or AWD, however. I don't think there is a real standard.

3_puppies · 06-21-09, 08:39 PM

wonder if the plunger mechanism is all corroded up on the nose cone??

or once again the pivot on the main shifter lever being froze up.

Any idea from the PO when the last time is was in 2H?

alabamacruiser7 · 06-22-09, 01:41 PM

Update: I changed the gear lube in the front end, trans. and transfer case today. It will still not come out of 4h, but I went to a gravel road with a buddy and popped the clutch and he said only the rear tires slipped. So the front tires are not engaging which means what? The flanges are broken or the transfer case is. I am in 4h but only the rear end is pulling.

I am not sure when the last time it was in 2h.

KOOTENAY KRUZER · 06-23-09, 10:06 PM

Looks like you are actually in 2wd, check your likages to see if something is missassembled or stuck.

alabamacruiser7 · 06-24-09, 06:11 AM

I have no idea how to go about that. I will have to do a search on here and see. I really think it is a bad transfer case because it will not move to any of the other gears. Or it might be both.

avgas · 06-24-09, 10:21 AM

Pull the nose cone off the transfer case, I still think your shift collar is on backwards. There isn't a whole lot of moving parts in those transfer cases that can go "bad" maybe worn if something was "bad" in the transfer case you'd have alot of other symptoms. and the only thing that controls and engages your front wheel drive is the shift collar. Pull off the nose cone and learn something about your cruiser

, then if it's the linkage or something else you can free that up as well