step-by-step instructions on engaging 4WD

OK.....dumb question of the day....can someone give me a lesson on the procedure of engaging 4WD? All is mechanically sound and when in 2WD, xfer case is set in 4WD High so when I do engage, this is where I drive. I push the button, light comes on and off I go. My issue is engaging into 4WD Low. I know the truck needs to be stopped but do I put the truck in park? neutral? I have gotten into 4WD Low before but for the life of me, I can't repeat the action. The instructions on the back of the visor have long since faded.....Thanks for the schoolin'....

 

I have had my truck for over a year and for the life of me. I have yet to be successful in putting in to low. All I hear is grinding noises. I just leave it in Hi 4x4. I have yet to be in a situation needing 4lo.....be interested how to use it thou.

 

OP, you need to stop and put the tranny into neutral, then shift into 4 lo, shift back into drive and push on the masher to go.

 

Do I do this before I push the activation button on the shifter or after?

 

I've never gone to 4lo from 2hi so that's an interesting question. All my 4lo situations have been on a 4wd trail where I am cruising in 4hi then come to a rough or steep rough spot that asks for 4lo.

 

I dont even understand why they even made the push button activation. There was nothing wrong with just the simple ole j shift setup. Either with add or manual hubs. There really is no convenience or effort saved by having that push button. Infact its more of a bitch in the long run when the damn electronics decide to give you fits!

Three different designs of shifting into 4x4 in the same line of truck seems ridiculous....j shift with manual hubs....j shift with add....push button with add.

Does anyone have push button with manual hubs? Did that ever exist?

 

Stop, neutral, swiftly put into 4-lo. This will automatically engage 4x4 without pushing button.

 

So here's what I figured out.......Keep 4WD selector in 4High when not using....push button to engage 4WD....from 4High, stop truck and put in Park. I tried Neutral but gears started grinding....shift from 4High to 4Low, put tranny into Drive and off you go.....I realized you can't go straight from 2WD to 4Low, at least mine can't....

 

This is my experience as well.

This wasn't helpful to the OP but do you feel better now that you got it off your chest?

 

Lol yes, had to rant.

 

I had to do the same with my old dc 2001. Trying to go into 4lo in N was grinding something. P was just fine though.

My current truck does it fine in N

 

Neutral, hit the traction control button (the one with the vehicle swerving) then 4Lo.