F.D switch?

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helocat

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F.D switch?

What does this switch do? This is on a customers BJ-41 we have in the shop.

dataplateporsr9.jpg


Thanks! Mark
 
Mark,
That's the "front drive" knob. It engages the 4wd (Front drive shaft). The stick or lever engages low gear; High - Nuetral- Low

Question: Is it a stick on the floor for high low and can you drive low 2wd without pulling the FD knob on this bj41?


It's kinda like the old skool early 60's cruisers
 
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You know these are excellent questions..... I have an 81 BJ44 with the same FD pull switch. It does not light up but I hear what sounds like a vacume actuator when I pull it. I was driving on the beach a while back and got stuck in some sand... I pulled the FD switch in High gear and no luck with 4 wheel drive. I pushed the switch back in and got out and locked the hubs then put in low gear and she locked right in. I got a standing ovation from a local japanese crowd.:beer:
 
I was able to pull the knob on my BJ44 and it would go into 4WD in both high and low. Sometimes you need to move and you'll hear it lock in.

I'm not sure about low 2, but I don't see why it wouldn't work as it will just spin the front idler without the front drive gear engaged... I'll try it in a few days. You may want to check the bulb in the switch as I really like the light on when the front is engaged...

Kraig
 
Thank you guys! That makes since with the instructions being on the data plate on the pocket door. I will pass this along!

Mark
 
You know these are excellent questions..... I have an 81 BJ44 with the same FD pull switch. It does not light up but I hear what sounds like a vacume actuator when I pull it. I was driving on the beach a while back and got stuck in some sand... I pulled the FD switch in High gear and no luck with 4 wheel drive. I pushed the switch back in and got out and locked the hubs then put in low gear and she locked right in. I got a standing ovation from a local japanese crowd.:beer:

The unlocked hubs are all that prevented movement in high range.

The "FD" switch does activate a vacuum shifter to engage the front axle/make 4WD. If there are locking hubs they need to be locked for 4WD to work, just as with any other 4x4 vehicle with lockout hubs. Once 4WD is engaged the floor shifter controls the range or nuetral as said above..
 
I'm not sure about low 2, but I don't see why it wouldn't work as it will just spin the front idler without the front drive gear engaged... I'll try it in a few days. You may want to check the bulb in the switch as I really like the light on when the front is engaged...

Kraig


Kraig,

It works just the same in 2 low. I used to drive my BJ-44 all in the time with the FD knob not engaged and in 2 low. Saved my butt many times being able to do this with the rear locked.

Randy
 
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