Tranny or Transfer case issue... Need Help!

[J-Adix]

So I just picked up a 1983 K5 Blazer with a 5.7L 350, 10 bolt front & rear, np208 t-case, 700r4 4-speed trans, 3" body, 4" suspension, 35'' tires. It's been doing this thing where it acts like it's in neutral after stopping at a red light. If I put it into Park while it's acting up it makes a pretty horrible sound. What I end up having to do is turn the truck off, shift through all of the 2wd-4wd options, start the truck back up, and then it drives fine again. It doesn't do it every time, in fact it's only done it 3 times since I got it a couple of weeks ago. Here's how it goes though; I'm driving along just fine on the freeway, it shifts through all of the gears smoothly. I exit onto surface roads and it drives along just fine. Stop and go at a few red lights, no problem still driving fine. Stop at another red light and when it turns green I hit the gas and it acts like it's in neutral. I turn the truck off, shift through all of the 2wd-4wd options, turn the truck back on and drive away. It doesn't do it consistently, just at random. Somebody told me that when the last guy who owned it lifted it he probably didn't adjust the cable to the transfer case. Is it really just that simple? If anyone out there has been through this, or knows what this is, please help me out. Thanks, Josh

 

[tRustyK5]

Yup, sounds like the T-case is popping into nuetral. You'll probably have to lengthen the linkage and re-adjust it.

Rene

 

[DeviousK5]

X2. if you don't anticipate using 4wd for a few days, pop the linkage off at the t-case shifter and cruise it around to see if it happens again. If it doesn't happen again follow our favorite moderators instructions

 

[J-Adix]

So do I just have to move the transfer case linkage down the shifter rod a little bit. How do I know how much to lengthen it?

 

[tRustyK5]

You need to have a look at the linkage from underneath. Should be a couple of rods and stuff. Adding a 3" body lift usually means having to add a 3" chunk somewhere in the linkage to correct for the BL. This may have been done...and it could just be poorly adjusted.

Rene

 

[chulisohombre]

im guessing a linkage problem also.maybe its just loose.with a 3 inch body lift you should be able to get to it pretty easy to see whats goin on.block the wheels and put it in neutral.see how far it goes in either direction to lock into gear.if its sloppy,you may need to modify the linkage or replace the cable system.i believe there are solid linkage kits to eliminate the cable shift if it is so equipped and it is too bad to adjust.someone else has probably done the conversion before.

 

[J-Adix]

I've been looking around this forum for similar problems, and it seems like a few people had similar problems. They adjusted their shift linkage, which I'll try first, and they replaced their range fork. Could that be my issue as well?

 

[DeviousK5]

Yeah range fork could be the culprit. Thing is you want to start simple and on the exterior before diving into the t-case. Do a good check of motor and trans mounts as well.