88 4x4 troubles

S

SAC

New member
First off, I want to say hello. I just joined the 1st gen family. I picked up a 88 v6 auto with 148k. I had never seen one of these machines till a few months ago and the hunt was on. Looks like alot of good info here. I plan on hanging around if yous guys will allow.

Now for my problem. My 4x won't engage. Lock hubs, shift to 4 hi, nothing. Shift down to 4 low and I can feel the trans engage but the front just doesn't catch. When I test drove it, I kicked it in and could feel the tires grabbing when making a turn. Trailered it home, took it out to the deer lease and I got nothing. Don't even know where to start. Any direction is appreciated.

Thanks
SAC
 
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Does the 4wd light on the dash come on? If not, check the linkage on the transfer case. If the linkage is engaging correctly, put the front and rear up on jackstands, put it in gear, and see if the front driveshaft turns when you're in 4wd. If it is, check if the CV shafts are turning.

Welcome to the forum! It's tradition to post pics of your new rig - you don't have to, but we'll hunt you down and take it away if you don't. :)
 
When you lock the hubs, do you hear them click? I would try freeing them and locking them a few times. Look underneath and see if anything looks weird. Did you buy it when you test drove? PO could have removed the front driveline. Check the CV axles. Always check the easy things first, it is usually what is wrong.
 
Yes the light comes on. I test drove it and then loaded it up on the trailer. As far as anything looking weird, it all does. I feel like I can fix most stuff with a little help. I'm more of a "if I can take it apart, I can put it back" kind. But I don't even know where to start.

I'll post a pic later, the only one I have is of it on the trailer.
 
The 4WD light switch is on the t-case, so it will light whether the front end is locked or not.
Put the front end in the air, lock the hub, turn the tire and see if the CV axle shaft turns.
Check both sides.
 
fourwd1 said:
The 4WD light switch is on the t-case, so it will light whether the front end is locked or not.
Put the front end in the air, lock the hub, turn the tire and see if the CV axle shaft turns.
Check both sides.
Click to expand...

Ok. I finally had time to mess with this thing. I lifted up the front end, locked the hubs. When I spun the left wheel the CV axle shaft turns all the way across. When I spun the right nothing. Would 1 bad hub prevent it from engaging?

Thanks
SAC
 
SAC said:
Ok. I finally had time to mess with this thing. I lifted up the front end, locked the hubs. When I spun the left wheel the CV axle shaft turns all the way across. When I spun the right nothing. Would 1 bad hub prevent it from engaging?

Thanks
SAC
Click to expand...

You found it. It isn't preventing the 4wd from engaging, but the diff is doing what diffs do and and sending all the power down the path of least resistance - in this case, the CV with the unengaged hub. Since it worked before, it sounds like the hub is probably just dirty. Strip it down, clean it up, and regrease it, you should be golden.
 
 
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