1980 CJ5 dual Transfer Shifter question

This place is a wealth of information for a total neophyte like myself. I have another question which I think you all can help me with. In reading through the threads, there has been some talk regarding dual shifters for the transfer case.

In my CJ I have the manual transmission shifter. In addition there are two shifters for the transfer case located toward the passenger seat side of the transmission hump.

The transfer case shifter nearest to the driver is marked "High Gear-Neutral-Low Gear". I don't remember whether the decal indicates "High Gear" as the forward position or rearward.

The second transfer case shifter is marked "4 High-2Wheel-4 Low".

An earlier thread referred to an upgrade to a "double stick shifter" having something to do with the front drive, including some cautions as to driveability if the front and rear were out of sync. Does this apply to me? Since I do not have the original vehicle manual I don't want to create an unsafe situation if the transfer case shifter combination is out-of-whack.

Can someone give me a quick description as to how these transfer case shifters work together? What is their purpose considering that my only exposure to a four wheel is my F-250 and it has a column mounted automatic and a floor mounted single shifter reading 4H-2-4L (maybe 4H-2H-2L-4L, can't remember right now)?

Also, it seems that if the left transfer case shifter is in neutral on the CJ there is no forward "go" if I am in gear with the transmission.

Feels like a family in here. Thanks for all your wonderful help.

 

The stick closest to the driver controls the rear axle and only the rear axle.
The positions indicate hi-neutral-low for the rear axle only.

The stick on the passenger side controls the front axle.
Again the positions indicate hi-neutral-low for the front axle only.

If the PO only replaced the shift mechanism then you should have detent pills that will keep you from putting one axle in high and one axle in low range. If these pills were removed then it is possible to put one axle in high and one in low range. This iwll bind up the drivetrain and could cause damage.

To test if these pills are in place.
With the engine off and tranny in neutral.
Put the stick closest to you in high range.
Try to put the passenger side stick into low range.

If the Passenger side engages then you need to be carefull when you are shifitng the transfer case. If it refuses to engage then the pills are inplace and you do not have any problems.

EDIT: This modification could allow you to run the jeep in front wheel drive.