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Old 05-22-2017, 10:27 AM
MisterFixit MisterFixit is offline
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Join Date: May 2017
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Default '94 4x4 issue

Feel free to delete this, I realize I have posted this in the wrong section. Moving it now! Sorry.


So, first a little info (If TL : DR, skip to the bottom part) - 1994. 5 Speed manual transmission. 4.0L V6. It's considered a "1st generation" Ranger. It was the (if I'm not mistaken) first year they used this bullshit push-button 4x4 system.

Second, a little background. I've NEVER bothered fixing the 4x4 system - it has never worked. I've owned this same truck for 8 years... I've checked a few of the components, but decided against fixing the 4x4 as it sits, as I hate this push-button bullshit.. I was just going to swap it out for a manual lever-based 4x4 system (and switch the auto locking hubs for some WARN jeep manuals). I haven't bothered to do so yet, as 4x4 isn't necessary where I live, and I've finally (almost) gotten the truck how I want it. I still have a couple little kinks to work out, but... My truck is how I need her to be, finally.

Okay, NOW FOR MY ISSUE.

About 2 weeks ago I drove to work (about a 4 minute drive), backed into my parking spot, shut it off, put it in reverse, and slammed the parking brake lever down. A few hours later, I hop in to go eat on break, and I'm pretty sure I'm now stuck in 4x4 Low. Again, my buttons do nothing, not that anyone has even touched them lately. I'm not even sure if my auto locking hubs work, but if necessary, I can find out - tho I don't know why you'd care. My truck is geared extremely low since this happened - going about 45 mph in 5th (overdrive) sits me running at about 3500 RPMs or higher. I have to use second gear to start rolling as first is so low it's ridiculous.

My question is, without fixing my 4 wheel drive, how can I get OUT of 4 wheel drive and back to rear wheel? I'd rather not swap out transmissions (for the non 4x4 style), I'd rather not have to get new parts at all.. I just want to lock her back into 2 wheel drive and then disable my 4x4 (that part I can handle) - but how can I get my truck back into 2 wheel drive?

An old mechanic I know, a Ford man himself, told me I should be able to take the 4wd MOTOR off of the transfer case and jump some wires.. But whoever wired my motor in really did a bang-up job! To take just the motor off the transfer case, I'd have to cut 1-3 wires, as they're routed a very moronic way. I could pull the entire transfer case, but here's my issue with that ... There are multiple wires. I wouldn't know where to begin! Which wires would I even jump? If I DO jump the correct wires, and find myself in 4x4 HIGH, would reversing the polarity get me into 2 wheel drive or ... burn something up?

I really don't want to just "try it and see," as the vehicle DOES at least drive... I may be in 4 wheel, and limited to about 35-45 miles per hour, but I'm not stuck. I just can't use the interstate lol.

What are my options?

Thanks so much for your time!

TL : DR stuck in 4 wheel low. Refuse to fix 4 wheel, how can I force it back into 2 wheel drive? I'd rather not switch transmission or transfer case at the moment. I'd like to just rig the truck back into 2 wheel drive, then disable my transfercase from swapping (that part is easy).
. But how can I get into 2 wheel?

Last edited by MisterFixit; 05-22-2017 at 11:33 AM.
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