Getting a rattle noise from my 4x4 shifter. If I move the shifter forward or backward the noise goes away however comes back. Any ideas ?

 

Mine does the same every now and then, just slap it and it'll stop.

 

The bushings underneath are probably shot. Replace them.

 

Defniitely shot bushings. This was driving me mad when I first got my XJ. Rattles like heck when I'm sitting at a red light. I crawled underneath to find the body mount portion of the shifter linkage was the culprit. Whoever designed this setup should be smacked across the head. My bushings are all shot and the linkage overall is rusty.

For now I'm just going to pull up on the lever to stop it, but I plan on either building a custom linkage or installing Novak's shifter kit. It's been very difficult to find people that have installed the Novak kit so I plan on many pictures and details to help others out with this common issue that isn't given enough attention that it deserves!