Cant seem to shift into 4wd?

[SS66]

I know this is a dumb question but this is my first 4x4... ( 1988 K5 ) How do I put it in 4wd? I just drove it for the first time this year and was stuck in my own parking spot.. it looks like only one rear tire was spinning? Anyhoo, I put it in park and moved the floor shifter to 4H,.. didnt feel or hear the transfer case kick in. So I tried moving to 4 low but the floor shifter wouldnt move there.. just between 4 and 2 hi.

Can someone please tell me or point me to a website that details the proper way to go into 4wd and how I should have my hubs set?

THANKS!

After almost 2 years of my baby being stuck in the same spot due to gas tank issues and a complete brake rehaul tonight I finally got to drive her... after 5 inches of snow and some ice. I felt like king of the world in my $300 clunker

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Only one tire was spinning because you have an open differential (rather than a limited slip or locker).

If you have selectable hubs, your hubs need to be in the "lock" position or the front axle won't be engaged.

I think with an auto its easiest to shift the t-case with the trans in neutral (rather than park).

 

[SS66]

Thanks, I dont know why i didnt try it in neutral...

So if I want all 4 wheels spinning I put it in 4WD via the floor shifter and turn all my hubs to lock and it should be good to go?

THANK YOU!

 

[Randy92782]

Well i'd say if you lock in the front (cause those are the only ones you can lock in) you'd have to pull your shifter into 4hi (while in neutral) and then your drivers side front will pull and your passenger side rear will. you don't have lockers i'd imagine (which locks the axles together) so you'll only actually have 2 spinning

 

[4X4HIGH]

Yes, but unless you have a locker in both axles you'll only have one wheel on each axle that have "power". Kind of ironic that they're called 4 wheel drive when in reality it is really 2 wheel drive and a "2 wheel drive" is really a 1 wheel drive.