Rubicon Owners Forum banner

Body lift / Transfer case linkage question

2409 Views 6 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  Red06LJ
So.. I installed my 1.25" JKS body lift a while back and didn't really read the instructions as thorough as I should have. When I lifted it, I was more concerned with the radiator shroud and the motor mount lift than the transfer case linkage.

So, I'm hearing this whiring sound (almost like a fan hitting something) underneath the jeep at low speeds (that stop when the vehicle rolls to a stop) and it slips out of 4wd sometimes. I'm assuming it's because the linkage isn't set right. Now, that it's after the fact, what is the correct way to set that linkage? I get that I should have loosened it prior to the lift and then tightened it to avoid this problem. Oops. I'm getting ready to hit the road with it and I'd like to do it before the trip just to make sure I'm not hurting anything.

Also, I have a 6-speed transmission that keeps popping out of reverse. I assume it's not related to the lift, but thought I'd throw it out there incase there was something I could adjust on that too while I'm under it tomorrow.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
Not sure what your whurring sound would be, but your kicking out of reverse is most likely from the BL addition. Mind did it too. You'll need to either clearance the center console or move it back slightly. About 1/4" is all it takes. I did it the hard way and trimmed both inside of the console along with the retainer ring around the leather boot too, then fit it all back together. Been great since.

Best of Luck,

Mike
Yeah, Mike is right.

your reverse gear is popping out due to the body lift. I did this just a couple weeks ago, but I took the black plastic boot retainer and filed/trimmed out a little to make the shifter go in more. Works like a charm. As far as your whirling sound.....no clue. You're linkage SHOULD be ok with both the MML and BL, but every Jeep is different and some guys had to adjust it. Dive under 'er and see if theres anything loose around the wheels and driveshafts.
There should have been a tcase linkage drop that was included with the kit. It is about 2.5"x3x1/8" and it removes the severe angle on the tcase tunion block that is located on the other side of the floor well
Better make sure you can shift into 4 Low also. When I did my BL I had to adjust that linkage and didn't figure it out until the first day on the trail. It's a PITA to do alone but just because it's hard to reach.
MTDIRK said:
Better make sure you can shift into 4 Low also. When I did my BL I had to adjust that linkage and didn't figure it out until the first day on the trail. It's a PITA to do alone but just because it's hard to reach.
This is a good point. I am looking at http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/kit_sk2xr.htm for a solution to t/c shifter problems. A tummy tuck will put the transmission shifter into a non-interference position and give you extra ground clearance.
I can shift into 4 wheel low. It tends to pop out of 4 wheel high into neutral. And I wondered if it was trying to pull out of 2 wheel high hence the occasional whirling sound.

I just got the tires put on there. Went to 33's - REAL happy. I have a 2" suspension lift on schedule for Monday.

I guess next i'll move on to the tummy tuck as soon as I can. Sounds like that will solve the problem. I wanted to do it anyway, but I plan to fabricate my own.

Later I'm going to post pictures of the 33's and 2" lift after it's done. I had a heck of a time finding pictures of an LJ in that configuration. Maybe it'll help others.

Thanks everyone!
1 - 7 of 7 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top