Shifting from 4H to 4L Automatic... seems stuck

[Wade87]

I was in on the weekend to test drive and ultimately order my FJC (Black Pearl - Bpkg). The dealer was nice enough to give me the demo FJ for the weekend (I'm currently waiting for mine - 2 weeks to go).

While I was parked I tried shifting from 4H to 4L (putting in neutral and shifting, etc.) It went into 4L no problem, but when I tried taking it back to 4H there was some grinding then it slipped back to 4H.

I tried the same thing the next day, and got a similar result. When going into 4L does one have to drive forward before shifting back to 4H?

Just interested before I get mine.

[highbeams]

I have found over the years, that transfer cases seem to be way tight when you first get them, especially chain drive ones
try it again after a trail run
then once mpore later and all will be fine

[1983FJ60]

transfer cases aren't like automatic transmissions.

they're finicky and irritable.

[yoda]

If you where just sitting still on any kind of incline and where trying to shift from 4h to 4lo and only moved say a couple of feet then it can cause the gears to grind or get stuck . Sometimes it can just have a mind of it's own. It was propaply just they way you where trying to do it.

[Wade87]

Thanks for the quick responses. I guess I'll have to wait until I get mine and see what if I get a similar result.

Now... what to do for the next two weeks? Any suggested topics to read up on?

[Roll]

Grinding here too.

I found I can switch from 2H to 4H without much trouble even moving (but have not tried this at speeds over 30MPH).

What I was unable to do was shift into 4L. Tried various combos including neutral and park finally got it done by shutting down the engine, shifting into 4L and restarting the FJ.

From above, I read transfer cases may be tight when new but I just don't think I want to hear those gears grind again.

Roll

[Fixxer]

I had the same problem. I could shift from 2H to 4H pretty well, too. However, going into 4L was another story. Per the manual, it says to place the trans in neutral prior to shifting the transfer case. Also, I found it's easier to do after driving around a bit. It don't co-operate when its cold.

[bartt]

I had the same trouble shifting out of 4L into 4H, but it was cold. I just shut it down in neutral and shifted, then started it back up. Worked fine.

BTW, I've had my FJ since early last spring, so it's been in the snow a couple of times. I've had no trouble shifting into 4H from 2H at about 60. I just went neutral on the throttle and pulled, no sweat. It works real nice in the snow!

[benmonnin]

I know they say you don't need to, but I always put in N, shift to 4H, and back up about 20 feet. I used to do that on my Taco that had locking hubs, and just do it out of habit. But I've never experienced and clings or bangs when I do.

[MichEE]

I would be interested technically why this does this if any of the xfer case gurus know why. I remember my old '68 Chevy did this but thought things may have progressed since then... thoughts and comments experts??