TrekJeff

Just picked up a ZJ 5.9 and being my first jeep I have to ask...how much pressure is needed to pull down on the lever when droping from 4H to 4 L? THe ZJ I picked up takes little to no effort when pulling down the shift lever. The old F150 I had required you to damn near strong arm the lever when going from 2wd to 4wd. Also when dropping to 4L, should I see any indicator on the dash? I'm sure all these questions would be answered with an owners manual, but the seller did not have one. Any help would be appreciated. Other than a new transmision, this 98 is stock.

czettlera

Hi on mine it needs a defined force to shift to 4L. I don't have any indicator, but mine is 96 and 4.0 L6. Anyway does the low gear engages on yours? Welcome on CF!

dave1123

On my '97 with the 242 Selectrac, you had to press down on the lever to shift it from 4hi to neutral and then 4lo. I don't remember, but I think the light just said "partime". The transmission shift lever has to be in neutral or drive for the light to come on.

I just when out and checked my WJ and that's what it says. the other thing is my WJ is cable shifted. The ZJ has a rod linkage that needs to be lubricated occasionally. It gets real stiff if not used a lot.

Lifelong Jeeper

Shift into 4L from the stopped position and the transmission in Nuetral. The lever, if in proper working order shouldn't require much muscle at all. Pull it through the Z Block positions until fully back (up). Shift trans into drive and see if there is more torque. If so, you've succeeded. If not, make sure the linkages are hooked up on the drivers side of the transfer case just to the side of the front output shaft. If linkages are properly hooked up and functioning, you may need to adjust the levers on the linkage to gain a bit more throw to engage 4L. If that still doesn't work, inspect the transfer case for proper function internally.

Your Ford was harder to shift likely because it was an all gear driven transfer case an the one in the Jeep is chain driven. They shift easier.

dave1123

On the owner's manual. Just rummage thru the glove boxes of the ZJs in the junk yard. I found one for my '97 that way. I just got lucky. The one I got with my '00 WJ was from a '01, probably from the dealer's stock when it was purchased.

There is one other thing you can check. The shift linkage torque shaft has bushings in brackets on the t/case and frame. Check them for being worn out.