Cant get the transfer case shifter to shift

[xuno_gil]

Ok so this truck is a 76 and I can't say the last time it was ever on 4x4 if ever, so today I wanted to see if it worked.
Well, I can't seam to get it to engage onto anything. My truck is a 3 speed manual so it doesn't have the QT.
I have the truck in neutral and start to work the transfer case shifter but it feels as if there is a tennis ball in the way, it won’t lock onto anything. And even when it goes back to 2H it doesn't seam to lock onto it. It feels really lose as if it's not all the way seated.
On my 83 with the QT I just stick it on neutral and pull the lever and there it goes onto 4H I have yet to get that one onto 4L it doesn't seam to want to pull all the way onto it.
But back to the 76, I do not hear any grinding or any noises what so ever just a very rubbery feel and like I said it does not want to engage on anything, any ideas?

[Tornado230]

Have you ever greased the shifter box?
There is a grease fitting on the bottom.
If you want a real treat, take the cover off and look at the innards.
Probably a little gummed up from years and years of use and no maintenance.
The TSM covers the shifter, the parts book shows what's in there or should be there.
A disassembly and cleaning is probably all that is necessary, unless the torsion spring is broken.

[xuno_gil]

Originally Posted by Tornado230

Probably a little gummed up from years and years of use and no maintenance.
The TSM covers the shifter, the parts book shows what's in there or should be there.
A disassembly and cleaning is probably all that is necessary, unless the torsion spring is broken.

I guess this is what I will have to do, since I have a manual for just about every Jeep vehicle except this one, would someone be able to provide a picture or diagram for me. Like you mentioned I want to verifly what it should look like and what it looks like.
Can a break cleaner work as a cleaner?
Is there anything I should watch for when taking the cover of and starting the work down there?

[Tornado230]

Try the site Tom Ol Jeeps Collins (believe it's right)
The site lists the parts books and the TSM's, just a matter of downloading the proper one.
Brake cleaner will work to clean it out.
When you remove the cover, make sure nothing falls out that shouldn't.
As I said, the TSM covers the thing well, and you should not have problems if you follow the instructions.
If anything is broken, you will have to go up top and remove the shifter.
In that case, it's probably just as easy to remove the shifter box and work on it at the bench.
I don't know whether or not the innards are still available, should you need something. You will probably have to hunt down a good used one.

[xuno_gil]

In case I need a new one...
I just saw locally on craiglist someone selling a BW1339 transfer case for $75. I guess I'm not sure what transfer case I have, but would this case maybe work for a 76 with the 360 and manual 3 speed T-15A I believe?

[xuno_gil]

If I'm not mistaken this is the QT transfer case, should I try to stick with my original model, is one better?

[Tornado230]

You have a Dana 20 transfer case.
There is probably nothing wrong with the transfer case.
Any shifter box will work as long as it was on a Dana 20, Jeepster, older Wagoneers, and J-trucks with manual transmission.

[joe]

Originally Posted by xuno_gil

In case I need a new one...
I just saw locally on craiglist someone selling a BW1339 transfer case for $75. I guess I'm not sure what transfer case I have, but would this case maybe work for a 76 with the 360 and manual 3 speed T-15A I believe?

That's a BW QT w/optional low range full time case. Yours is a D20 part time case. As Tornado said your shift box is prolly just gunked up. No reason for a tcase swap. If you can't find the pic you need on Ol Toms site PM me with your email address and I'll send the pic you need.
That's assuming the PM function here is working today?

[FallonJeeper]

Try disconnecting your shift linkages, just remember how they were connected, and work them by hand.

Once/if they free up, reconnect you linkages.