High Low Shifter Stuck (1 Viewer)

[arena993]

Hello all this is my 1st post. I just bought a new to me 1997 FJ80. It has 140K on the clock and I will be spending the next few weeks tweeking it to my tastes. The 1st issue I want to tackle is the High Low shifter. It is stuck in the high position. I have tried to use a significant amount of force to put it in low, but no joy as of yet. I didn't want to pull too hard in the fear of breaking something. My 1998 FJ100 shifts effortlessly. I am sure the previous owner never put it in low and is stuck from lack of use. Also, though may not be related, the FJ80 has the center diff lock. When I turn the knob to lock the diffs the lights just blink on the dash. Does the high/low shifter need to be in low for this to work? Sorry for the newbie questions but i would like to hear a resolution from the pros. My FJ100 has all these options as well, but it is a grocery getter and never been off road. The FJ80 will see off road action. Thanks in advance for any help and look forward to posting pics of my progress

Mike

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Do you have the transmission in N when you're trying to shirt from high range to low?

Yes, the t-case has to be in low for the front and rear diff locks to engage.

 

[arena993]

Yes I tried in Park as well as in Neutral. I was on level ground with the engine at idle speed.

Mike

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Does the t-case shfiter even wiggle a little or is it totally frozen?

And your 98 is a UZJ100.

 

[arena993]

The shifter is totally frozen and won't budge. Also thanks for the clarification on the 98. Like I said newbie here

 

[jonheld]

BTDT. The shifter bushings have siezed to the shaft. You'll need to remove the center console, the shift lever cover, and the 6 or 8 small bolts that hold the shifter mechanism in place. These small bolts need a bit of penetrating oil sprayed from under the tranny hump to keep them from snapping (on my truck anyway).

Once removed or lifted out of the way, you'll see the 4 bolts that mount the transfer case shift lever to the tranny housing. You will need to disconnect the linkage from under the truck (1 cotter pin, some washers, little bits). The transfer shift lever will lift right out.

I needed to completely pull mine apart, but before I was able to do that I needed to get some motion back. Penetrating oil and a pipe fitted over the lever worked well. Once it was loose and clean, I packed the whole thing with moly grease. Put it all back and has been smooth shifting for over a year.

 

[Brian894X4]

I've had trouble getting mine in and out of hi/low too sometimes.

Try driving it forward, then backwards and forward again, with the wheels straight. Then put in neutral (don't bother with park), foot on the brake and give it a try. You shouldn't have to force it. Either it will work, or something is binding up, wether it's the shifter or gears inside.

 

[AndrewInf]

+1 on the changing the transfer case in neutral on the transmission, not park. The drivetrain can be all bound up when you're in park and it can make it impossible to get the transfer case engaged. This is in the owner's manual, I think, but I didn't know it when it happened to me the first time. Imagine the condition of my shorts when I thought I'd blown my transmission or transfer case 25 miles off-pavement with no cell service...