Alright so when I bought my xj I was told it had 4wd but this was my first xj so I didn't know how to check it out and make sure it worked. So some time went by before testing it and I tried it the other day and nothing happened, turns out the engagement connectors had been disconnected/fell out. I talked to the previous owner and he said it worked when he used it last but I found it hard to believe because I could not get the connector back into the transfer case. I was hoping I could get someone else's opinion on what I should do, I'm very tempted to just hook it back up and hope for the best, but its my daily so if there's a problem with the front axle I don't really want that causing me more problems. Any thoughts would be awesome, thanks!

 

You talking about the shift linkage? If it's popping out, I'd have a good look at the transmission mount. If that's letting the tranny move too much, it will cause that linkage to pop out of the sockets. The real fix is an aftermarket shiftlinkage.

 

Yeah that's exactly what I'm talking, I hadn't been able to find the correct name. I'll give that a test tomorrow, thanks

 

free download the 94-96 Parts Manual from cruiser54 or elsewhere may be of assistance

 

The stock setup isn't that great to begin with. If the bushings are totally shot or missing, you might consider going aftermarket with something like http://www.boostwerksengineering.com...-V20_p_29.html. A few people have made their own version too.

 

Alright thanks man

 

Aright i might actually try that because trying to get the stock one back in has been a pain in the ***!

 

The kit to replace the bushing parts parts is $16

Also saw this for $60. Don't know much about this one, but others here have used the BoostWerks one I linked above.

 

Do I need to replace the bushings parts if I get an aftermarket linkage kit.

 

No. The aftermarket setup replaces that whole linkage with a different setup.

 

You can also shift the little lever on the side of the T case (where the linkage attaches) by hand or with vice grips to verify that your t case works

 

Here's how the factory suggests you shift the transfer case and I've been doing this since these things were new and I worked at the dealership. Quoted from the owner's manual. The suggestions in CAPS are mine.

"To engage, shift the transfer case lever from 2H to 4H while the vehicle is moving at any legal speed". I LET OFF THE GAS, THROW THE LEVER, TAP THE GAS AND LET OFF.

4L position: " To engage, slow the vehicle to 2-3 MPH , shift the transmission to Neutral, then shift the transfer lever to the right and pull firmly rearward to 4L".

TO SHIFT OUT OF 4L, SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED, SHIFT THE TRANSFER CASE LEVER TO 2H, THEN THE TRANS TO D IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATIC, OR INTO FIRST GEAR WITH A MANUAL, AND CONTINUE ON.