What Did I Break? Lo Range TC Problem

My equip:
Buick V6
T98 Trans
Dana 20 TC
Dana 30 ft
AMC 20 rear

I finally got to take the Willys on an outing (of sorts) to the Ocean. Actually, I pulled it behind the Motor Home, and yes I did unbolt the rear drive line. I was going to use it to launch my buddy's aluminum boat in and out of the water (beach launching, need 4x4) I've used the 4x4 in high range before but this was the first time I needed to use lo range and presto, it didn't work. It would go into low and rear wheels would spin but nothing on the front. I've never encountered this problem before in any 4x4 I've owned. If it didn't work in high range too, I would suspect bad hub or even TC but this wasn't the case. Just spun the rear wheels in the sand. What do I start off with? TC problem? There isn't any gear thrashing noises and all else seems to work well. The only thing I might add (don't know if it's important or not) is that it lakes a bit of muscle to slam the shift lever down into low range and haven't looked real close but lever may be touching floor pan at the rear. But it does go into low gear. Any help is appreciated
Thanks
Jack

 

can you turn the front driveshaft by hand? that will tell you if the hubs are in or not

 

Single stick? 90% chance it is the linkage. Does it still have the interlock pill?

 

a 20 case will develop 2 low with wear,(use 2 lo in mine often) the shifter most likely isnt getting all the way to 4 lo

 

This is most likely. Either due to linkage issues or the shifter binding on the boot, hitting the tub, etc.


Sent from my iPhone

 

Have someone move the shifter back and forth while you are underneath looking up at the shift rails. That way you can see if it is linkage or something internal.

 

Will try the shifter solutions next chance I get. Thanks, sound logical.

 

If you pull the center floor pan out you can get a really good look at the t-case linkages.

If the hubs weren't locked in the front driveshaft would turn if the t-case is working.

 

Work has me bogged down so I haven't worked on it yet but I have a feeling it's a linkage problem as stated since 4x4 works fine in Hi range.

 

Looking at the Linkage is more than likely the problem..........sheet metal, rubber boot, carpet, body flex or anything else getting in the way..........or just a worn out shifting system...pretty common on the single stick.