vaccum and 4wd

[pucifer_01]

hi there, i have a 79' widetrack with locking hubs and the "emergency drive" vaccum system. 4wd doesn't engage when turning vaccum system on-although i hear the hiss :). i'm not really interested in fixing it just would like to lock it in 4wd permanently as i'm going to use it mostly as hunting/off road. can i do this easily some how? is there some way to lock the vaccum switch on the transfer case or some other trick?
thanks guys/gals

[Thomas792]

So I'm assuming that you have a Quadratrac transfer case. My 74 has that with the E-Drive in the glove box. I had a pull lever under the steering column that would switch it into low range but it was always in 4WD. The E-Drive was to lock in the transfer case so that the same amount of power was going to front and rear axle.

[pucifer_01]

I have the mile marker kit i believe. im wondering if there is a way to just lock the portion that the vaccum actuator would turn on?

[Thomas792]

If it is a vacuum operated then stick one of those hand pump vacuum bleeders onto one of the nipples (should be able to see them on a diskus shaped attachment similar to the EGR) and pump away. If it drives differently then you shifted it. If not then put it on the other nipple. If it is vacuum operated then it should stay in whatever position it is shifted to with that hand pump. As I'm thinking of this, I think a Turkey Baster may work as a substitute for the hand pump.

[pucifer_01]

funny i was just thinking about if i had some small tubing for just that reason:)
thanks i'll give that a shot
p.s.
do you know if the pin is forward it is in 4wd or pin is back (towards rear of vehicle)?