Engaging the 4wd

[The Captain]

Hey gang.

Just got myself a nice 72 F100 Ranger 4x4, 390. Already has a 5" lift put on, overall a decent truck. Swapped it straight across for my 92 saturn sedan!

My question: What is the proper procedure for engaging/disengaging the 4wd? The previous owner told me, but I want to make sure it's correct before I do it so nothing is damaged. It has the locking front hubs, 4 speed manual tranny.

I'm sure I'll find lots more use out of this incredible site and these forums.

Thanks in advance.

The Captain.

[fordman]

i've never had one but i think you lock the hubs and shift the lever inside and then put it in gear and go.

[ToughOldFord]

Yep, that's all I've ever done. '62 F-100 4X4

[1970F250]

yup

[heep70]

Sometimes the front will bind and will not let you turn the selectors. Its easier to shift the t-case lever first then unlock the selector when disengaging. engaging you need to lock the hubs and then shift the t-case. Its also a good habit after unlocking to reverse the truck a few feet to make sure the hubs disengage.

You can shift the t-case on the fly from 2H to 4H or from 4L to 4H. Never from 2H or 4H to 4L!

[Jake11]

Everyone I ever drove, you had to shut the engine off, put the trans
in neutral, try to get the transfer case lever to move as you rolled the
truck forward and backward. Same thing with the older " C " trucks.

[heep70]

Everyone I ever drove, you had to shut the engine off, put the trans
in neutral, try to get the transfer case lever to move as you rolled the
truck forward and backward. Same thing with the older " C " trucks.

WOW I thought mine was a pain in the tail end when it binds up and won't let me turn the selectors.

[hardtailjohn]

You might try to back the rig up, as Greg suggested... steering from side to side sometimes helps. Mine seems to disengage easiest when driving forward, and also getting on and off the throttle slightly while applying steady pressure to the t-case lever. Engaging is always right there and ready... can't imagine what you have wrong if you have to shut it off and go through all that!! :O
JH

[Jake11]

These were all ones towed in that the owners never took out of 2Hi.
Usually off the fwy. Somehow the kicked the transfer case out of gear,
and they had no clue how to get it back in. My opinion is, the truck was
never driven any other way, so the transfer case never even got broke
in. I have also driven 205's that worked pretty good. But some of them,
thats the drill you have to go thru.

[heep70]

Good ol gear driven iron cases. You can't beat em

[19674x4]

i always turn the hubs in, then shift the transmission into neutral the shift the transfer case into gear then take off. When i disengage i just put into 2 hi and leave my hubs in unless i am going to drive a long way on pavement. congrats on getting a good piece of american muscle. happy fourwheelin.