Hi everybody. I just bought an 87 Cherokee 4.0 with 5 speed manual. It's my first jeep and 4WD and I'm already in love. When test driving the Jeep about 10 days go, I tried out 4hi and 4lo--both worked fine. Just a couple of days ago I placed the selector into 4lo but instead of engaging 4lo, it was completey disengaged. After getting over the hill in 4hi instead, I put it back in 2wd, but it stayed in 4hi.

So: When I shift into 2wd, the Jeep stays in 4hi. When I shift into 4hi, the Jeep stays in 4hi. When I shift into 4lo, the Jeep goes into Nuetral.

I did put the transmission in neutral each time I shifted into 4 lo. I've tried triving backwards, toying with the gas pedal, etc etc to no avail.

Does this sound like it's the linkage for sure? I'm new to wrenching, so exaclty what should I look for under the Jeep and is there any way to more deeply troubleshoot the 4wd?

Thanks for your time!

 

Does sound like the linkage. Since it is going into neutral is doesn't sound like an issue of needing to back up to let it come out of 4WD (but try that anyway!)

First inspect your engine mounts, make sure it's where it belongs. My mounts are broken and my whole deal is about an inch forward of where it belongs. I wouldn't do a thing with my linkage until I knew that was right. Maybe then have somebody move it around while you look underneath. see what's up, look for play. (the shifter).

 

search its been handled a thousand times here

 

Try backing up at about 5 mph and try shifting from 4wd to 2wd

 

sounds like tc linkage is the issue,climb under see it its loose