'86 Cherokee won't engage
 

Against my better judgment I picked up an '86 Cherokee last week and the 4 wheel drive wont engage. Trying to determine if it's the crappy vacuum actuator, the valve on the transfer case or the transfer case itself. It has the 4 popper 2.5 w/ NP207 transfer case and 5 speed tranny.

How do you know which one? I crawled under and the vacuum actuator on the front axle is really loose and swings around (is that normal), and the vacuum lines pull off easily. When you try putting it in 4 wheel drive, the handle wont even budge.

New to this, I've searched the tech posts from previous and still haven't found the answer. IS a front axle swap the best answer here?:confused1:

Anyone?? I'm sure this topic has been beaten like a dead horse, but I need some help to determine which one to replace.

'86 Cherokee won't enfafe
 

Hey there, did you ever sort this out? What did you do, I have much the same issue now with my '86, but the lever works fine and the transfer case linkage underneath is good. Looks like I have no vacuum.
Help Mr Wizard!

OK, which transfer case do you have? Full time with console switch or the NP207 part time with lever only?

Thanks for your interest. Must be the level model; it has one next to the manual gear shift.

Oops I meant LEVER

Then do this:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/fr...ss-91-a-38629/

Well that's a swell idea. What I want though, is to sell the Jeep not modify it. Any other ideas?

Yep. Fix all that NLA vacuum crap, spending weeks doing it and figuring it out......

It's obvious you don't understand the benefits of it. carry on.

You will have to verify you have vacuum to the front axle when you shift in 4WD. If so, verify the diaphragm does not leak. Usually means a new vacuum motor is needed

And in less time than that process takes, you could do the CAD delete and have it listed for sale.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...7a5e0489c9.jpg
I have vacuum under the hood where this plugs in, it is a new transfer vacuum switch. But when I move the lever nothing happens here. I'm stumped...

Because there's a rat nest of vacuum hoses that are likely cracked, rotted, severed, oil covered, and otherwise mutilated. They run between the switch you have in your hand and the shifter on the front axle. All of it is totally unnecessary if you just do as I suggested right out of the chute.

Cruiser54 I can only guess what your Cherokee looks like but the tubing you describe on mine is none of those things you mentioned. I don't mean to be ungrateful for your advise; I'm not. And I may need to follow your suggestion after all, but so far as I can tell I have some other issue with the front axle. I can actually feel the vacuum where this plug plugs in. Is it en=
ough? I'm not sure...

Hugs, kisses

Pull that cover off the axle. Does it move with vacuum? Is the fork bent/stuck?

Oh, and while you're there, do the CAD delete........