Rear wont shift to lo

[jeremywatco]

Just finally got my '73 back running again.. crate 302, rebuilt C4, rebuilt dana 20. Runs great so far... BUT.... I can't get the dana 20 to shift the rear into low. The front shifts fine between high/neutral/low, the rear shifts like butter between high/neutral but for the life of me cant get the rear into low... before I drive it back to the shop that rebuilt the transfer case, I wanted to see if there is something simple I am just missing. Its a twin shifter, I've tried shifting between drive/neutral... rocking it back and forth.. can't figure it out. Its like the level just wont budge in that directiion (forward)

 

[Viperwolf1]

If even one of the bolts attaching the rear output housing are too long it can prevent the rear sliding gear from moving back. Also make sure the shifter isn't contacting the floor or anything else that may be limiting it's movement.

 

[jeremywatco]

If even one of the bolts attaching the rear output housing are too long it can prevent the rear sliding gear from moving back. Also make sure the shifter isn't contacting the floor or anything else that may be limiting it's movement.

Pulled the twin shifters off to make sure there wasn’t any binding. Same. Hmmm. I’ll look at those bolts. M

 

[JB Fab]

Did you get it figured out?

 

[jeremywatco]

No, the shop that did that work wanted me to bring it to them after I got it all running to tune the shift points on the transmission.. so figured i'd make them deal with it. Keep you posted.

 

[Chiclassics]

Two things you can do
1) get underneath the vehicle and make sure the Dana 20 plates attaching to shifter are not binding ehen you are trying to shift rear into low
2) put your transmission in neutral and then start car and with front in neutral try rear to low . Also make sure you are on flat ground .

If both above don’t work you have a faulty low gear in the dana20

 

[JB Fab]

start with the basics

In a loose grave/dirt parking lot.....

Are your hubs engaged, are you moving (slowly) while attempting to to shift the front into low (rear already in low).
Are all your tires the same rolling diameter (air pressure, tire size, etc.).
Are your front/rear gears the same ratio

I'm happy to help. Feel free to send me pictures of the shifter/linkage.
jonb@jbfab.net

 

[Chiclassics]

You might be able to try this, put front in low (hubs locked) and rear in neutral...try to move a feet or so to loosen up drivetrain come to a stop. pull front to neutral and then try rear to low.