NEWBIE GRANDMA can't shift AT ALL from 2H to 4H!! What the...??

[Diggin']

Is it REALLY that hard to shift the lever from 2H to 4H??? I've pulled with every bit of strength I have..and no, I'm not a weakling! I have a slightly used 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. What the hell is the solution?? I've got snow and ice here I need to get through in and out my garage.

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[multicam]

If you have room, try it at about 3 mph. You may have to get as far into the back of the garage as possible and creep forward into the snow.

 

[mnjeeper]

As suggested, ensure it's in Neutral (the transmission) and it should go. If it doesn't, do not try to force it as my guess is there's something going on with the linkage. Unless you have a brand new Atlas transfer case (you don't) -- this shouldn't be an issue whatsoever.

Neutral is not needed for 4H.

 

[guarnibl]

Neutral is not needed for 4H.

Ah, didn't know that. I've always put it in Neutral. I will correct my posting.

 

[At Risk Ute]

Will loosen up the more you use it. Do you have anyone who can help you pull back on the transfer case shifter?

 

[guarnibl]

I still don't think you should have to pull back very hard. I've literally not had to do that on a single Jeep I've owned (more than 10) excluding my one with an Atlas tcase, which did loosen up over time. I'm not sure how hard the OP is pulling but yeah. Just strikes me as something's off.

 

[mnjeeper]

I still don't think you should have to pull back very hard. I've literally not had to do that on a single Jeep I own excluding my one with an Atlas tcase, which did loosen up over time.

4H isn't so bad...but it's pretty stiff at first. My first time pulling into 4LO I seriously thought my week old Jeep was defective. Way better now.

 

[guarnibl]

4H isn't so bad...but it's pretty stiff at first. My first time pulling into 4LO I seriously thought my week old Jeep was defective. Way better now.

Yeah I mean it requires more force than shifting the transmission but it still shouldn't be "as hard as I can pull it and it won't move" sort of thing. It's subjective though.

 

[GoldenKnight]

My wife couldn't do it the first time either. She was afraid something was going to break it needed such a good yank.

 

[mnjeeper]

Yeah I mean it requires more force than shifting the transmission but it still shouldn't be "as hard as I can pull it and it won't move" sort of thing. It's subjective though.

As you said, subjective. 4H is more force than transmission, and should be IMO. 4LO wasn't "as hard as I can pull", but it was certainly harder than I expected barring a mechanical issue. It does loosen up.

OP will have a little better luck with the 3mph thing if there is space. Even in 2WD snow and ice shouldn't stop all movement when starting from a garage...

 

[Deleted member 59498]

Mine was really stiff when new and would even pop back to 2h. I just had to work the shifter over and over to break it in a bit. Seems much easier now or I just got used to it.

 

[guarnibl]

As you said, subjective. 4H is more force than transmission, and should be IMO. 4LO wasn't "as hard as I can pull", but it was certainly harder than I expected barring a mechanical issue. It does loosen up.

OP will have a little better luck with the 3mph thing if there is space. Even in 2WD snow and ice shouldn't stop all movement when starting from a garage...

Yeah, wonder if it's a cold thing. I live in PHX.

 

[LuvHydro]

I had the exact same problem at first. I'm still surprised I didn't break it trying to shift it.

I learned how based on all the excellent feedback here. The key was to be rolling ever so slightly.

My suggestion is to go somewhere like a large parking lot where you can practice.

Soon it will be easy for you.

 

[BUSHRVN]

Mine is a HARD pull as well into 4H. I’m a 260lb guy with minimal fat, not weak, and I feel like I’m gonna break something as well when shifting. Not a comforting shift feel. This is both while moving very slowly and at almost hiway speeds. 4,000km’s on it and hasn’t changed yet and it gets shifted allot since it’s been winter here since we bought it. Every drive gets about 6 shifts.

 

[DavidArmen]

The t-case lever in the JL is very very stiff from the factory. I felt like I was going to break it the first time I shifted, along with pretty much everyone else who has commented about it on this forum.

It always loosens up over time with regular use. Practice shifting from time to time even if you’re not off-pavement. You can shift from 2H to 4H, and vice-versa, on the fly, at up to 45mph. It helps to take your foot off the accelerator pedal as you shift, but it isn’t necessary. Just ensure to keep the wheels straight the entire time of you do decide to practice on-pavement.

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