African fj40, no drive to front wheels

[Fulltiltbrian]

Just bought this Jan 79 fj40, its had a hard life here in Kenya. Previous posts talk about vacuum tubes and dash lights, stuff which my vehicle doesn't have. It seems everything operates purely off the hi lo lever. I fixed the jumping out of gear by enlaging the hole around the hi lo gear lever but now there appears to be drive to just the rear wheels. With the front off the ground the diff acts as it should, rotating one wheel spins the other, and the propshaft. Engaging gears connects the gearbox to the shaft. The hubs are fixed, can't be locked or unlocked. There are wires going to the gearbox and unmarked switches on the dash which appear to do nothing, should I be checking these?
Grateful for any help.

 

[shawnfj40]

The transfer case shifter is fo Hi/Low and 2wheel/4wheel are you shifting into 4 and is the linkage actually attached to the shifter?
The shaft that slides in and out is usually the first thing to seize up on those cases.

 

[Fulltiltbrian]

The transfer case shifter is fo Hi/Low and 2wheel/4wheel are you shifting into 4 and is the linkage actually attached to the shifter?
The shaft that slides in and out is usually the first thing to seize up on those cases.

Thanks Shawn. Everything is connected, albeit a littlesloppy. The lever moves into the three positions with a positive action. I'll check the shaft movement closely, I squirted lubricant behind the boot as it looked a bit dry

 

[Poser]

Nice Series II Land Rover



It would be very custom to have any sort of electrical switches controlling the front drive on this Land Cruiser you have pictured here.


There is a front drive shaft present?

If you look at the front drive shaft and follow that up to the transfer case, you will see where the 4x4/front drive mechanism is attached to the side of the 'nose cone' or, front output housing on the transfer case.

Moving the transfer case control lever fore and aft will control the 2wd/4wd function. Most forward position is 2wd, most rearward is 4wd.

The transfer case range selection is controlled by the same lever, moving to the left and right.

Since you have a RHD vehicle, moving the lever to the left will get you high range, and moving it towards you, to the right, will take you through the neutral position and into low range, after you have pulled the lever rearward to engage the front drive.

Now, all of this is based on assuming you have a mechanical control lever for a factory Land Cruiser transfer case.

In the event you have something else installed, all bets are off.

 

[Fulltiltbrian]

Thanks Poser. The prop shaft is present and the transfer case lever operates hi and low as you describe. Is there a.way to check the 4wd operation with the vehicle on jacks/ stands?

 

[bikersmurf]

Yes, you can put it up on jack stands to test.

First I'd jack one front wheel up and check to see if the front driveshaft turns freely when in the 4WD position. Or if it locks in.

 

[bikersmurf]

Most likely problem is that the shift linkage isn't moving the piece on the Tcase far enough to lock in 4WD.

 

[Fulltiltbrian]

Ok thanks bikersmurf. I'll try that & post an update.

 

[chappohj47]

Are the hubs locked

 

[69LC]

It has drive flanges.

 

[Living in the Past]

Okay is it a vacuum operated 4WD. US had that until the early seventies that operated off a mechanical vacuum switch. Some markets got a vacuum 4WD that worked off a electrical solenoid to control the vacuum. Picture of the transfer case, plaque on the glovebox door and any switches on the dash would help.

 

[Fulltiltbrian]

Hi all and thanks for your interest. There's no vacuum system, its purely mechanical linkages. Yesterday I lubricated the shaft at the front of the tc. It now moves freely but there is a lot of play in the connection to it. Is it a small ball joint? I see it needs a degree of play because of the lever geometry but this excssive play was probably part of the problem. After lifting one wheel it rotates freely in neutral, shaft rotating, but locks when I select 4wd, so I guess I now have 4wd! I still find I can spin one rear wheel but not the fronts, I'm guessing its.because there are no lockers. Soon as I can get to some tarmac I'll check more thoroughly. Bit remote where I am. I've added some photos for good measure. 44 years in A frica have taken their toll!
Thanks all.

 

[Rock40]

The engagement at the mode shaft (on the transfer case output cone) is seriously loose and needs to be addressed. That is likely your problem right there. It should be nice and tight up against the shift rod.

 

[Fulltiltbrian]

Yes, it looks that way. Do I have to remove the whole shebang off the side of the tc?

 

[Living in the Past]

Interesting cruiser. Everything I see looks like a 73. Or Front ride side of the frame should have the VIN stamped in which would help date the cruiser. Not a big deal at this stage but would help in buying parts. Three speeds were used in some markets until the eighties but that style engine ended with the 73. One more year of the F155 but oiling system changed in 74 so the oil filter was on the other side.

 

[Fulltiltbrian]

Interesting cruiser. Everything I see looks like a 73. Or Front ride side of the frame should have the VIN stamped in which would help date the cruiser. Not a big deal at this stage but would help in buying parts. Three speeds were used in some markets until the eighties but that style engine ended with the 73. One more year of the F155 but oiling system changed in 74 so the oil filter was on the other side.

 

[Fulltiltbrian]

Yes its a '73. I inadvertently said its a 79. The chassis number is clear. I've used it to locate all new brake parts, water pump, exhaust, trim parts etc. I'll start on the cosmetics soon.