1969 FJ 40 HELP !

[Desert Heat]

I am not mechanically inclined anymore. I just bought a 69 FJ40. Incline 6 and it fires up and runs good but I think it is low gear. I cannot go over 40 MPH. I have the original manual but it is not helping much. The gear knob handle is located under the dash. It just pulls out a bit but feels like it does not engage anything. Can I get some advice here? Thank you in advance.

 

[Green Bean]

If you have a helper, have someone inside the cab push/pull the Hi/Lo lever while you slide on your back underneath the vehicle on the passenger side and look up. The transfer case shift linkage consists of a rod that runs back to the top of the transfer case. It may be stuck. You want to get it in to Hi which the lever should be all the way forward towards the engine.. You may need to help it from underneath the vehicle.

 

[Desert Heat]

If you have a helper, have someone inside the cab push/pull the Hi/Lo lever while you slide on your back underneath the vehicle on the passenger side and look up. The transfer case shift linkage consists of a rod that runs back to the top of the transfer case. It may be stuck. You want to get it in to Hi which the lever should be all the way forward towards the engine.. You may need to help it from underneath the vehicle.

Thank you. I will try that.

 

[Travis Kinney]

I have a 1969 as well. It does sound like you are stuck on low. As mentioned there is a handle under the dash for switching to low range. When you pull this handle it also pulls out a plunge stylecswitch which is your vacuum shifter. Sometimes your low range shifter “jump” to the front of that vacuum switch and you think you have pushed the transfer lever all the way forward (toward) engine to get out of low range, but it might be hung up on a little peg in vacuum shift plunger. Look under dash and observe how that low to high range lever works and how it interacts with vacuum shifter. Pulling low range lever toward you SHOULD pull vacuum knob out toward you too. Theory is, if you are switching to low range, you want to be in four wheel drive. If pulling the low range lever toward you does not also pull vacuum knob toward you then the lever has jumped that little pin in front of vacuum shift knob shaft. If so you will have to bend/ strong arm it back behind vacuum knob shaft.

 

[Peddyk]

I am not mechanically inclined anymore. I just bought a 69 FJ40. Incline 6 and it fires up and runs good but I think it is low gear. I cannot go over 40 MPH. I have the original manual but it is not helping much. The gear knob handle is located under the dash. It just pulls out a bit but feels like it does not engage anything. Can I get some advice here? Thank you in advance.

What a coincidence? Same year, similar issue.... please let me know if the Hi/Low was the issue for you. It sounds like that may be my issue.

Thank you

 

[1969FJ]

I have a 1969. Original. Rubber deteriorates. Please check the vacuum rubber/lines first.

 

[Peddyk]

I have a 1969. Original. Rubber deteriorates. Please check the vacuum rubber/lines first.

Will do. Thank you

 

[Desert Heat]

I have a 1969 as well. It does sound like you are stuck on low. As mentioned there is a handle under the dash for switching to low range. When you pull this handle it also pulls out a plunge stylecswitch which is your vacuum shifter. Sometimes your low range shifter “jump” to the front of that vacuum switch and you think you have pushed the transfer lever all the way forward (toward) engine to get out of low range, but it might be hung up on a little peg in vacuum shift plunger. Look under dash and observe how that low to high range lever works and how it interacts with vacuum shifter. Pulling low range lever toward you SHOULD pull vacuum knob out toward you too. Theory is, if you are switching to low range, you want to be in four wheel drive. If pulling the low range lever toward you does not also pull vacuum knob toward you then the lever has jumped that little pin in front of vacuum shift knob shaft. If so you will have to bend/ strong arm it back behind vacuum knob shaft.

Yes it does pull out the other switch out. I will check out your suggestion. Thank you!

 

[Desert Heat]

I have a 1969 as well. It does sound like you are stuck on low. As mentioned there is a handle under the dash for switching to low range. When you pull this handle it also pulls out a plunge stylecswitch which is your vacuum shifter. Sometimes your low range shifter “jump” to the front of that vacuum switch and you think you have pushed the transfer lever all the way forward (toward) engine to get out of low range, but it might be hung up on a little peg in vacuum shift plunger. Look under dash and observe how that low to high range lever works and how it interacts with vacuum shifter. Pulling low range lever toward you SHOULD pull vacuum knob out toward you too. Theory is, if you are switching to low range, you want to be in four wheel drive. If pulling the low range lever toward you does not also pull vacuum knob toward you then the lever has jumped that little pin in front of vacuum shift knob shaft. If so you will have to bend/ strong arm it back behind vacuum knob shaft.

I will try that. Thank you. I do not have to do anything with the wheel hubs, right?

 

[charliemeyer007]

If you think you will need 4WD soon, then turn the hubs in now, otherwise leave them turned out. With the hubs in I can shift in and out of 4WD at any speed just by letting off the gas. You have to stop to change from high to low range or back. Mine is a direct lever not vacuum.

 

[Desert Heat]

What a coincidence? Same year, similar issue.... please let me know if the Hi/Low was the issue for you. It sounds like that may be my issue.

Thank you

I’m still having trouble getting it out of low. Pushing the lever forward barely has much play in it. I’ve crawled under and it only has about a quarter of an inch movement

 

[Desert Heat]

Thank you. I will try that.

Ok I did that. There isn’t much movement when you pull or push the lever inside. Underneath it only has less than a quarter inch play. What do you suggest ? Thanks.

 

[Green Bean]

The linkage rods have various point to allow adjustment. If it were me, I would probably disconnect the linkage going to the T-Case and then with the linkage rod loose, I would then see if I could manually shift the T-Case by hand from LO to Neutral to High. Assuming that works, then the problem is with the linkage and you should be able to lengthen or shorten the rods to allow for full movement.

 

[Desert Heat]

The linkage rods have various point to allow adjustment. If it were me, I would probably disconnect the linkage going to the T-Case and then with the linkage rod loose, I would then see if I could manually shift the T-Case by hand from LO to Neutral to High. Assuming that works, then the problem is with the linkage and you should be able to lengthen or shorten the rods to allow for full movement.

I found the problem but I do not understand it. It turned out there was a screw on the lever itself, under the dash that prevented it from being pushed forward. I removed the screw and I was able to push it and get it out of low. I am thinking the the screw was put there so it would not slip out of low when off roading? I would be interested in what you think.

 

[Green Bean]

Can you take a picture of the offending screw in position? We can compare it to the exploded parts diagram on EPC.

 

[Travis Kinney]

Could be. I’ve had mine pop out of low before when bouncing around a bit much.