GunshowfoshoW

ok, my only problem left on the heep. i cant get 4 low to engage. it has the transfer case drop kit for when they did the 4.5 inch lift. 4 high engages but 4 low wont. its like the lever needs to go down farther, its just barely not there. if i hold the lever down all the way and try to engage it, it will make kinda like grinding noises like its trying to but the lever's not pulled back far enough. please help! thanks!

<XJ>THUNDERBAT<XJ>

http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/kit_sk2x.htm got this bad boy on my jeep and ive got no problems shifting-mine is dropped one inch, my shift pattern is reversed but who cares lol

GunshowfoshoW

but do i really need this? i just wanted to keep my original shifter and all that, but fix the problem so i can have 4 lo

<XJ>THUNDERBAT<XJ>

are you a fabricator that knows some good geometry? or possibly a ? if neither apply then i would get this kit lol, it costs as much and works better than having someone moddify yours to go into low and still shift like crap

GunshowfoshoW

lol yeah im neither, lol well, i thought it would be as simple as adjusting the linkage or replacing the linkage or something. how hard is it to put one of the novak kits in there? im a real newb. did it come with instructions or what?

GunshowfoshoW

and do i have to drp the xcase to do this? or can i just install from the interior?

Dan4governor

Have you checked your linkage on the t-case yet? I was having this same problem (but with the t-case in the stock location, not lowered) and I checked the linkage. turned out that one of the linkage bushings (the little green one) popped out and so the linkage wouldn't shift correctly. It was the same symptoms, could go into 4H, but seemed like it just barely wouldn't make it into 4L. Sometimes I could get it in, but it would pop out as soon as I shifted into second.

<XJ>THUNDERBAT<XJ>

you need to remove your center consol, the old shift linkages and shifter/housing, then you go under neith and set it up, they give you a bendable rod to mock up the shape you'll need for your new shift rod which you can heat and bend in a vice or have someone else do it for you.. it does have instructions, however i ended up having to use my oem shift plate, which was no big deal other than that not a half bad kit at all, really smooth shifts

GunshowfoshoW

whats the best way of doing this? i really havent looked at the linkage nor do i know where its at. is it under the center console? or right below the shifter itself? or underneath the car? got a picture? anything would be very helpfull

GunshowfoshoW

well, thats a great option if i end up having to do that. it doesnt hardly go offroad so im not too conserned about how easily it shifts into 4wd. thanks a lot though man!

Dan4governor

it is underneath the car on the driver side of the transmission connected to the t-case. the lowest picture of the new linkage that thunderbat is trying to sell you will give you an idea of what to look for (only yours will have a few more bells and whistles on it). Just make sure everything looks like its connected properly, and look at it with the shifter in all the different positions. When I checked mine one of the elbows of the linkage was clearly out of place and the whole linkage was moving a good inch when I shifted. the bushing (or grommit I think is what the dealership called it) that holds that elbow in the joint was missing and I had to buy a new one. do you know what tranny/t-case combo you have? did you install your t-case drop or have someone else to it? cause its possible that the linkage just wasn't reinstalled properly, or got messed up in the process.
I'd take pics for you but I'm out of town and won't be back till saturday.

<XJ>THUNDERBAT<XJ>

doesnt sound like your propperly taking care of your xj

Dan4governor

haha...nice.

GunshowfoshoW

yeah someone else did it. ill check it out tomorrow for sure, im hoping its a really simple fix

Dan4governor

hey I found this picture on the internet and the red arrow is pointing exactly where my linkage popped out (convenient). Hope this helps as a reference as to how your linkage should look