Topic: Front T-case is sloppy shifting...

[sidewall2000]

  I just bought this 85 4Runner and the shifter for the front case is very sloppy. While shifting from low to high, I do not feel any detent action at all. Is it something with the shift housing? I seem to recall back in the early days of Marlin that there was a spring that he was replacing to stop them from popping out of gear. Mine happens to be doing that also.... coincidence??? Is it normal for the front shifter to change location when you shift the rear (twin stick) Surely someone out there must know what is up. Any knowledge you can give me would be great. 

[WHITE_TRASH]

Sloppy as in it moves side to side a couple inches or as in it moves very easily? 

[sidewall2000 [OP]]

Sloppy as in it moves side to side a couple inches or as in it moves very easily?

It moves forwards and backwards without ever really stopping in a spot (H N or L). Just very mushy overall. And it pops out of gear....

[WHITE_TRASH]

So  a new heavy duty detent spring is in order to fix your problem.  From the sounds of it the spring is toast or someone forgot to put the ball back in when they assembled the crawl box.

[sidewall2000 [OP]]

Well that's good news. It's the first quick and easy mod since I bought the darn thing. Thanks.

[79coyotefrg]

yep  new spring and/or detent ball,   6mm allen wrench and a magnet

[uzaho]

speaking of t-case problems.

Im still only runnin one case in my 86 p/u and the last 2 times Ive put it in 4low for any period of time, I had alot of trouble gettin it back into two wheel. Used to be I could switch it with equal pressure on to off to 4low to 4high to 2w etc. Last two time I had to push pretty hard and Im a pretty big guy. Didnt hear any funny noises just hard to get the shifter to move.

Any ideas?  VERY Laymans. Im still learning yotas and Im a shitty mechanic.

[WHITE_TRASH]

Uzaho Ill bet if you unlock your hubs and drive about 20 feet before trying to shiftt he t-case it'd come out easily.  Im betting on a bit of drivetrain bindage is to blame.

[uzaho]

Ill try it. I gotta get used to these freakin manual hubs!  Got spoiled with the jeeps

[79coyotefrg]

another thing,  make sure your front and rear tires are the same hieght ground to center,  if aired down or not,  this will cause front to rear binding which is what you are discribing

you can also try backing up 20-30 feet,  or drive on some loose rocks