Basic Transfer Case Shifter Questions

[Jason72Bronco]

My 72 project is mostly stock, but PO's made some mods. I'm a newbie at working on 4x4.

My question involves the T-case shifter.  The **** is "hand-painted" with top-to-bottom 4L-N-2H-4H.  See picture attached.  I've read that the originals were either a "T shifter" or "J shifter", but this seems like neither.   My manual states that there should be a button to depress when shifting, but there is not a button.

Truck is not moving yet, as I'm still inspecting/replacing tons of things from sitting for 10 years.  However, I can, with effort, move the T-case shifter up and down, but I'm just guessing where it is landing.

So, is this the correct shift pattern?  Should I replace with a shifter with a button?  If so, how?

Also, I understand H and L, but when the case is in "N", are the driveshafts literally disengaged and don't move?

I know these may be basic questions, but any thoughts and help is appreciated.

Jason

 

[Bully Bob]

You do have a "T" shift.  The push button lock came out in later years.

---(In addition, that's when it received the name "T" shift. Even the original round ***

    shifter was taged with that name)---

That shift pattern is correct.

"...but when the case is in "N", are the driveshafts literally disengaged and don't move?"

This is correct.

It's a "feel" thing.  When you get it runn'n..., put trannie in 1st gear & the T-case in neutral.

Push clutch pedal down. Pull the T-case shifter back one notch..., that's 2 wheel high.

Then just experiment..., you'll find/feel the other gear settings.

However.., I'm curious if 4WD LOW can be engaged with that A/C unit in the way.

Also, it shifts better when warmed up & running.., but you can still feel the indents while shifting at rest.

Sometimes you need someone to rock you back-n-forth (for testing) to ease the T-case shifting when cold.

Side note: ALL the way forward is 4WD low but just slightly back from there is a notch that's 2WD low.

Ford didn't advertise this but it's there.  Some folks think they're in 4WD low but are actually in 2WD low.

 

[Jason72Bronco]

Thanks again Bully Bob.   

It will move all the way forward without hitting the A/C unit.

FYI, I do have the original Ford owners manual, which mentions a button to push in.

(As an aside, I got a giggle out of the fact that the owner's manual is about 30 pages......compared to about 300 pages on a new car!)

 

[Bully Bob]

Ya.., the change to the T-handle button year/model escapes me but not really important.

Soooo., beings many parts get swapped out over the years...,  trannies, transfers, front/rear differentals/axles, etc.

you may have an earlier trannie, transfer, or both.

Again, no biggie.  OR it could just be someone swapped out the shifter parts.

In either case.., it will work just fine.

 

[genthree]

My 73 has the push button...  All it is a gate with indents in it that sits right at the bottom of the shift column.  When you push the button it drives a shaft in the center of the shift column down and there is a "tab" riding in the gate gets pushed down out of the indents and you are free to move the shifter forward or backwards.  The guys at Tom's said if the gate gets warn out you can remove it and forget about the button.  You can bump the shifter out of gear without the gate in place, so you got to be a little careful if you are getting really abusive off-roading....

 

[Bully Bob]

Yep..,

The MAJOR change to the T-case was the switch from the "T" shift to the "J" shift.

The early "T" shift was a bit lower geared.

'66 thru '72 had the "T"    '73 thru '77 had the "J" shift.   Big mistake in a sense.

The "J" shifters became wobblie & hard to shift.   Easy fix but most all had problems.

The best improvement is the switch to "Twin-sticks" offered by most EB stores.

My '66 still works fine but if it ever failed.., I'd go for the "Twin" set-up.