Won't shift into 4 wheel high!

[69CST4x4SWB]

So my transfer case will not go into 4wheel high! Everything looks okay on the linkage from what I can see and it shifts into 2wheel high, 4wheel low and neutral with no problems. 4wheel high is all the way back, then 2wheel high, neutral and 4wheel low all the way up. This is on my 1969 Chevy K10 and has been this way since I got it 9 months ago. Now that winter is coming I need to get it fixed. Any ideas???

[69CST4x4SWB]

You mean to tell me that NO ONE else has encountered this problem!?

[Stocker]

You'd think someone would have encountered that, but I haven't. My K20 has a NP205 t-case and I guess your truck does too, b/c the shift pattern is the same. Maybe someone will jump on here....

[76k10]

Spray the shifter down with WD-40? The shifter on mine gets gummed up every once in a while.

[1969K10]

are the connections just old and sloppy, and you run out of shifter travel before you get in 4 HI?

[69CST4x4SWB]

Originally Posted by 1969K10

are the connections just old and sloppy, and you run out of shifter travel before you get in 4 HI?

All good thoughts and advice... Thanks! The linkage is not sloppy. I will try spraying down all the linkage with WD40 and see if that helps.

Thanks again guys! And any other thoughts/ideas would be appreciated!!!

[72longbed]

You may have already tried this ... but here goes again.

1. Shift your trucks transmission into neutral ... not the transfer case, the transmission. Hold your foot on the brake.
2. Shut off the ignition.
3. Pull transfer case shifter all the way back, do not stop at each range.
4. Let you foot off the brake if it still won't go, and apply pressure back on shifter again. This may give enough movement in the driveline to allow it to engage.

Let us know if this works.

72

[Zane M]

How is your fluid level in the tcase? I've seen low fluid cause this problem before.

[fijijason]

Did you resolve this? Im having the same issue excpet 4H is in between 2H and neutral. On my 68 K10 on the picture it shows 2H is all the way back and 4Lo is all the way forward. It could be operator error on my part but I cannot find it or 4H is broken somehow. I can get 2H and 4L no problem.

[fijijason]

Just played with the shifter again and it only feels like there is the three, no 4h found.

[Redcap]

Take a picture of the back of the transfer case and post it. Need to know what we are working with. I'm pretty experienced with a few different cases.

[fijijason]

I looked at pics of the np203 and 205 and this doesnt look like either. I think on top you can make out DANA.

[RLONG]

some times the shifter is bumping the hole in the hump i have loosened up the hump cover and moved forward and to see if the shifter was not able to go far enough ahead to engage.

[Redcap]

Originally Posted by fijijason

I looked at pics of the np203 and 205 and this doesnt look like either. I think on top you can make out DANA.

I'd say someone swapped in a Dana 20. Not a good transfer case for a heavy fullsize pickup...might want to go trans/transfer case shopping real soon.

[fijijason]

I guess I should figure out what kind of 4sp transmission I have .......

[Redcap]

Originally Posted by fijijason

I guess I should figure out what kind of 4sp transmission I have .......

Might be a good idea.

[fijijason]

found that there is a gm pattern for this tcase. Had to look a while to find it, no wonder I was having problems. Its a u shape pattern..
2H is on the left and up toward the dash
4H is down toward the seat
N is to the right and up toward the dash
4L is to the right and way up toward the dash

[fijijason]

and thanks redcap for the identification!!!

[kwmech]

Do you have a body lift on the truck? Make sure the shifter is not hitting the floor pan when you pull it all the way back

[68panelman]

My '70 Blazer also has the Dana 20. Your 4spd should be a SM465. Here is your shift pattern.

[Yerboogieman]

The only problem I had was shifting it OUT of 4high. I usually have to go real slow and push gently on the shifter and it will just slide out. But sometimes it'll just come out of gear.

[benbloom]

had the exact problem with having only 3 positions on the transfer case, from forward to back, 2high, N, 2low...anyone have this problem? help!

[69CST4x4SWB]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. Even though I first posted this question several years ago and since I rarely drive this rig and even more rare I go 4 wheeling I still have not got back to figuring it out. I have however a renewed interest in fixing it and driving it more often so if you have other suggestions not listed please post them!
Thanks.

['63GENIII]

Welcome back. I have no idea what your t case is but I would start by finding out what kind of oil it uses and change that first. Note the condition of oil that you drain out. I had a T221 that was a stubborn shifter. Linkage looked good but for some reason would not be able to shift unless I got under the truck and used a small pry bar. The shift shafts would move very easily from underneath. If it has detent balls and springs that can be easily removed like on a 205, Id pull them out and see if it shifts easier with the detents pulled. If it does, clean and grease the detents. Thats all I can think of for now without pulling the case out.

Ive since swapped in a 205 and plan on cable shifting it. Got tired of messing with the Rockwell.

[RedRoad]

I had a similar issue in my 72 K20, ended up being a combination is issues. Wasted front cab mounts, engine mounts, trans mounts and sloppy linkage. After changing the mounts I had to make sure the engine and trans were as far forward as possible which couldnt be held in place with the wasted mounts.

Now that the mounts are all replaced, the doors close and tc shifts like new.