No go into 4 high :-((

[Dave's1971]

This may be an old topic but I need some help. Owned my '71 for about a year and just recently tried to enter 4 high. Shifts pretty easily into 4low, neutral and 2 high but I cannot get into 4 high. Tried at a stop and while rolling with no success. There's not even the hint that it is going in. I've heard these old Broncos shift a bit-less-easy compared to other 4wd's. That could all be crap tho. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[sanndmann3]

Could possibly be the shift mechanism is just wore out. Mine was and very vague feeling...
Went twin stick and never looked back.

 

[SHX669]

Shift linkage could be worn and out of adjustment , shift lever could be contacting the body or something on the mounting bracket , the "lock out/in " thumb release/spring/rod/detent could be stuck or buggered up.
I assume you still have the T shifter and shift indicator mechanism. Those are adjustable forward and backward so you can't go by what the indicator arrow says. It's not uncommon to have to find 4 hi and then adjust the indicator to match that .

 

[WILDHORSES]

Shift linkage could be worn and out of adjustment , shift lever could be contacting the body or something on the mounting bracket , the "lock out/in " thumb release/spring/rod/detent could be stuck or buggered up.
I assume you still have the T shifter and shift indicator mechanism. Those are adjustable forward and backward so you can't go by what the indicator arrow says. It's not uncommon to have to find 4 hi and then adjust the indicator to match that .

Agreed, so the first question is what kind of shifter do you have? Stock 71 would be a T-shift with the push button. An after market shifter could be just a stick and linkage. Shifts straight up and down no adjustments.

Does the Bronco have a body lift? This can interfere with t-case shifting. As was said stick could be hitting the body no allowing it to shift back into 4H.

Twin sticks always make shifting easier. Upgrade is recommended.

Jim

 

[Bronco4x4]

Is the Dana20 warm or cold (cold weather?; warm up if so)? Try to shift with tranny in neutral.

 

[DirtDonk]

When I first got my '71 the shift pivot was loose and the quadrant out of adjustment. Both are easy to fix. Maybe as mentioned you just need to adjust the quadrant/lock-plate (https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Tshifter_Lock_Plate_used/Bronco_Dana20_Transfer_Case) a little bit to allow that extra small movement into 4-high.

Good luck.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

Oh, and it's neither crap, or vicious rumor either. Some of them just don't shift worth a crap!
My '71 has always one of the best I've ever shifted. The '68 takes a LOT more patience.
The '79 is a study in frustration!

Paul

 

[Skytrooper15]

This may be an old topic but I need some help. Owned my '71 for about a year and just recently tried to enter 4 high. Shifts pretty easily into 4low, neutral and 2 high but I cannot get into 4 high. Tried at a stop and while rolling with no success. There's not even the hint that it is going in. I've heard these old Broncos shift a bit-less-easy compared to other 4wd's. That could all be crap tho. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Dave

About half way into the model year in 71 Ford went to the J type shifter.If you have the T shifter there are a couple of things you can check without too much trouble.Remove the T handle and see if you have any adjustment on the black plastic part that lifts up so it will go from one detent or another.Whoops! I didn't see Paul's post with pictures and he described the procedure better than I can.

 

[Dave's1971]

Thanks to you all on this 4high issue. I did add a AX15 tranny recently and the related adapter kit which had a new shift lever. Maybe there is a lock-out or something on the lever that is blocking movement. I'll let you know after I dig a bit further.

DaveM

 

[SHX669]

Thanks to you all on this 4high issue. I did add a AX15 tranny recently and the related adapter kit which had a new shift lever. Maybe there is a lock-out or something on the lever that is blocking movement. I'll let you know after I dig a bit further.

DaveM

When I installed my nv3550 on a T Shift TC i had to mess with the shift linkage to get 4 hi .