H-N-L Shifter stuck.. WD40 2x later.. no luck

[40thSagePearl]

So guys.. not that this is a HUGE deal to me or anything.. I simply just like everything in 100% operational order on my truck. Its a 96 LX450 3x Locked.. I bought it and knew the H-N-L shifter was stuck.. like i said not a big deal to me because I never intend to use it , however thats how this happened in the first place.. im pretty sure it was never shifted so now it is seized. Had my Mechanic lube it with WD-40 and Gear oil lube.. and as its a bit more able to move.. still wont shift into low.. anything I should be doing on my end to fix this ? I wanna test my diff locks !!!!

 

[JaketheSSnake]

Sell it to someone that'll actually use it, problem solved lol

 

[40thSagePearl]

Sell it to someone that'll actually use it, problem solved lol

lol very funny.. thing is.. most people abuse these trucks and I hate seeing that done to them.. they are beautiful and unlike anything else out there on the road..

Bump for some seriousness lol.. im keeping this one so dont get any ideas guys.. shes a Cherry !!!

 

[DSRTRDR]

I assume you are trying to shift the transfer case shifter it with the transmission shifter in neutral, right ?

 

[40thSagePearl]

I assume you are trying to shift the transfer case shifter it with the transmission shifter in neutral, right ?

yes the truck is put into neutral when trying to shift it into LO

 

[40thSagePearl]

anyone ?

 

[LS1FJ40]

Sell it to someone that'll actually use it, problem solved lol

I have to agree with Jake on this. A 3x locked 80 should be used. Sell it to someone that will use it. Buy an unlocked 80 for a garage queen...

 

[scottryana]

Get under the truck, look at the linkage it's probably rusted solid, if so either try and break it free or replace the linkage.

 

[40thSagePearl]

Get under the truck, look at the linkage it's probably rusted solid, if so either try and break it free or replace the linkage.

Trucks underbody is the cleanest thing i have ever seen .. 100% rust free all over.. im baffled on this just like everyone else

 

[40thSagePearl]

I have to agree with Jake on this. A 3x locked 80 should be used. Sell it to someone that will use it. Buy an unlocked 80 for a garage queen...

I had an unlocked 40th .. just sold it from NY to Santa Barbara CA. 119k all original miles.. looked like it rolled outta the show room.. got a pretty penny for that one and planned on hopping into a 100 series after that but that 80 bug lives within me .. lol

 

[scottryana]

Well it's a pretty fool proof system it's a solid mechanical linkage. Get under and take a look. If you don't see anything blocking it, unbolt the transfercase side and try and move it without the linkage, if it still won't move, maybe someone had your tc open at some point and didn't get it put back together right? But the first step is taking a look and second step is trying to move without the linkage just encase it's binding somewhere.

Trucks underbody is the cleanest thing i have ever seen .. 100% rust free all over.. im baffled on this just like everyone else

 

[SWCruiser]

I had this issue after dropping my crossmember down an inch to combat driveline vibes after lifting. it was suggested as a temp fix. After removing the longer bolts transfer case works as it should. is there a body lift?

 

[40thSagePearl]

I had this issue after dropping my crossmember down an inch to combat driveline vibes after lifting. it was suggested as a temp fix. After removing the longer bolts transfer case works as it should. is there a body lift?

There is no body lift . I bought the truck bone stock. Ive been underneath the truck at times and am lost at where or what to look at lol sorry .. but bear with me.

 

[40thSagePearl]

Here she is.. !

 

[jonheld]

So guys.. not that this is a HUGE deal to me or anything.. I simply just like everything in 100% operational order on my truck. Its a 96 LX450 3x Locked.. I bought it and knew the H-N-L shifter was stuck.. like i said not a big deal to me because I never intend to use it , however thats how this happened in the first place.. im pretty sure it was never shifted so now it is seized. Had my Mechanic lube it with WD-40 and Gear oil lube.. and as its a bit more able to move.. still wont shift into low.. anything I should be doing on my end to fix this ? I wanna test my diff locks !!!!

The transfer case shifter is 100% mechanical. The issue you likely have is with the shift lever itself, however a diagnosis is quick and easy.

Looking under the truck, there is linkage that runs from the transfer case to the H-N-L shift lever. At the shift lever there is a small cotter pin and a 10 or 12mm nut/bolt (IIRC). This should easily separate and you should be able to move the transfer case linkage by hand through the 3 positions. If the linkage moves freely then the issue is with the shift lever itself.

This is a PITA to remove as it is bolted to the top of the transmission housing. The transmission shifter assembly along with part of the transmission tunnel needs to come off to access this piece. Once that is out of the way, the transfer case shift lever is held in place with 4 bolts. Once the shift lever is out, you will find that the lever pivot point is seized from corrosion. Spend some quality time working it free with penetrating oil until it moves freely. Pack the housing with grease before putting it all back together.

A properly operating transfer case shifter should be able to move with minimal effort between H-N-L and back.

 

[Cruzerman]

When I bought my rig, it was hard / almost impossible to shift the transfer case. I assumed this was from lack of use. I unscrewed the shifter knob and put a piece of pipe on the shifter as a cheater so I could get more leverage. I was able to shift it with the longer arm / cheater. I shifted it many times like this. Took off the cheater and put the knob back on. Haven't had one issue since that. HTH.

 

[40thSagePearl]

The

When I bought my rig, it was hard / almost impossible to shift the transfer case. I assumed this was from lack of use. I unscrewed the shifter knob and put a piece of pipe on the shifter as a cheater so I could get more leverage. I was able to shift it with the longer arm / cheater. I shifted it many times like this. Took off the cheater and put the knob back on. Haven't had one issue since that. HTH.

Sounds like a good idea.. but damn i was afraid id break something or snap the arm ... will look into it sometime this week when the weather clears up

 

[Cruzerman]

Out here, we don't have all that much rust, so I wasn't concerned that it was rusted solid.

 

[40thSagePearl]

Out here, we don't have all that much rust, so I wasn't concerned that it was rusted solid.

My truck underneath is just as clean as the body itself .. 100% rust free so im pretty sure its not rusted, maybe corrosion from lack of use however

 

[40thSagePearl]

Update.. drove home tonight and said F-it .. put her into neutral, yanked on the damn thing with two hands and finally got it free ! Looks like the wd-40 and lubricating oil worked... thanks everyone !