Impossible to go into 4lo, 6 speed, trick not in manual -- PROTIP: try doing it with foot firmly on the brake

[bjm00se]

(Long story follows, skip to the end for the actual lesson learned)

So I picked up my new 6 speed Rubicon at the dealer on Tuesday. Naturally, one of the things the salesman shows you on your new jeep is how to shift into 4 lo.

Went into 4H just fine. Wouldn't go into 4lo.

Now, I've read the threads on this forum in the past, and I've read the section from the manual, excerpted below:

With the vehicle rolling at 1 to 3 mph (2 to 5 km/h), ... press the clutch pedal on a manual transmission. While the vehicle is coasting at 1 to 3 mph (2 to 5 km/h), shift the transfer case lever firmly to the desired position. Do not pause with the transfer case in N (Neutral). Once the shift is completed, ... release the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
NOTE:
Shifting into or out of 4L is possible with the vehicle completely stopped; however, difficulty may occur due to the mating teeth not being properly aligned. Several attempts may be required for clutch teeth alignment and shift completion to occur. The preferred method is with the vehicle rolling at 1 to 3 mph (2 to 5 km/h)....

And, this is similar to the procedure I've always used on my Tacoma, which has an electrically activated transfer case switch, instead of a lever. The vehicle wants to be ever-so-slightly rolling, or at least free on its wheels in order to facilitate alignment of the unsynchronized transfer case gears.

So, anyhow, tried this. Clutch in, 6sp in neutral, grab transfer case handle, move it "with authority" over and back. Would. Not. Budge. Kept trying. So I got it to go once, and it pretty much immediately popped back into transfer case Neutral. Rest of the time, it wouldn't budge. Sales rep got it to go once.

"Maybe something's wrong, let's get a service tech to take a look. Maybe the linkage needs an adjustment."

Chap comes out from the service department, plops down in the driver's seat. Kerthunk. No problems. Kerthunk, back in 2h. Kerthunk. Kerthunk.

You know that smiling, condescending, "look" that expert techs give you when they're convinced that you're a complete incompetent noob?

Back in the driver's seat. That tech looks pretty strong. Maybe I'm just not using enough force. Brute force always works, right?

Grrrrughth! Nope.

Sales rep brings out another sales rep to check it out; long time jeeper and Rubicon owner. He sits in the driver's seat. Kerthunk.

OK, Obviously I'm doing something wrong here. What is it? Rep sits in the passenger seat. I sit in the driver seat. Clutch. Neutral. Lever. Noooooooothing.

"Hey, you don't have your foot on the brake. Nothing will happen if you don't have your foot on the brake."

What? Manual doesn't say anything about that. In fact, it says you ought to be rolling 1 - 3 mph!

"Try putting your foot on the brake."

OK, Clutch, BRAKE, Neutral, lever "with authority." Kerthunk. Back and forth. Kerthunk, Kerthunk.

What the hell? Manual doesn't say anything about this requirement.

tl;dr ?

If you're having trouble engaging 4lo on a new jeep, try doing it with foot firmly on the brake. I know that's not in the manual. But I have two witnesses that it was the difference between "go" and "no go" on my new Jeep.

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[Traveller128]

It was that way with ours when new. I'm happy to report that with consistent use, it's gotten from where it took some serious finagling, to where my wife can operate it. It really needs to break in before it's anything but notchy. It will improve, but you will need to actually use it a fair bit.

 

[DiscoLemonade]

This is good info. First time I used 4L it popped right back out. Mine still pretty notchy

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