NP208 stuck in 2wd

[8point1]

Have a NP208 that the shifter gets stuck in 2wd and don't want to come out. It feels like it is locked in 2wd and the shifter won't move over to the right and down like it is supposed to when shifting to 4wd. One time got it to come out by really yanking on it, and the 4wd worked fine. But shifted back to 2wd and shifter feels like it is locked in again and don't want to come out. I hate to get yanking on it so hard and don't know what we did to make it come out of 2wd the first time, any ideas? I've had many NP208's over years, never had this problem. Thanks

 

[paratrooper307]

Most likely a linkage problem. Since you said it worked fine in 4x4 I'd doubt any serious mechanical problem. It should pull easily back into 4 Hi (straight back), but don't try to shift into 4 Lo unless you're in neutral. Even then it might be cranky when the engine is running. Does it make a difference if the engine is off or on?

 

[8point1]

No difference if on or off. The problem is that the shifter feels like it is "locked" where it is in 2wd. It does not want to move over to the right like it is supposed to before going strait back to 4 hi. If I can get lever to move over to the right, it will then pull back into 4 hi normally. The shifter just does not want to move in any direction when it is in 2wd.

 

[paratrooper307]

Maybe I'm not understanding your problem, but to engage 4HI, you just pull the shifter straight back (at least on every square body I've seen), it doesn't move to the right, other than a minute amount perhaps due to wear or linkage slop. Basically, the pattern is straight back for 4HI, then right and back to engage neutral or 4LO. You have to be in 4HI in order to move the shifter right and back to engage the other positions. This is likely set up this way to allow you to shift into 4HI on the fly, yet prevent you from going into neutral or 4LO with the transmission engaged/vehicle moving, which is a no-no. The pattern should be marked on the plastic cover that surrounds the TC shifter boot.

Just give the shifter a good pull back and it should drop into 4HI. If it's still stuck, crawl under and take a look to see if the linkage is bent or binding. I know of a few people that have done exhaust work or TC lowering kits that have run into similar issues. Good luck!

 

[8point1]

Ended up being a 241 instead of a 208, it's working fine now. The truck sat for years, 4wd was hardly ever used, the shifter was stuck in all directions, felt like it was in a bind. Just now getting around to checking the 4wd. After working with it, its freed up now and works as it should. It will move back and forth and has the side to side play all my other 208s have had. Thanks again.