hey guys,
noticed this today, what is it?

If you can still shift and it goes into gear. It will more then likely your overdrive shift rod.

its a 97XJ sport, automatic.
seems to shift fine

Looks like the 4x4 shifter linkage

You probably need to buy plastic plug for that rod

plastic plug?

i see that its a rod and its not attached to what its supposed to be attached to...

what rod is it?
what should it be attached to?
how bad is it that its not connected to what its supposed to be connected to?

its part of the linkage that shifts the transfer case to different modes of operation, you can stay in 2wd hi , but you got nothing else until this gets reattached.

any advice on how to reattach it? is it a simple fix?

anyone?

it pops into a rubber bushing on a shift lever if bushing done auto parts stores will sell then i know adavanced auto parts does...

can i push it back in by hand?

i can't seem to see where it goes back in and if the bushing is shot or not?
what should i be looking for?

and is anyone for sure what this is?

I can try and take a pic of where it goes in after I shower and head out If the bushing it pops into is gone should be a real cheap fix. If it's there u should be able to get it back in no prob. Give me like 15-20min I'll try my vest to get a pic

Sry forgot the pic. When I get to our meet place I'll get one