This weekend I needed to move a trailer that was on grass. 2 wheel drive was a little slow, so I stuck it into 4. Nothing doing. The light on the dash came on, but no 4X4.

I have been having banging in the front end which the mechanics couldn't find. They said the actuator was working perfectly. I have been thinking about a newer truck, but with the price of fuel... I'm considering keeping the truck and getting a fuel efficient beater instead... this means I may keep the truck instead of getting rid of it...

I had been thinking of getting one of the front axle kits (a-la dynatrack etc.), but... didn't want to do this if I wasn't keeping the truck. Is there any simple things I could check/fix, or should I just sit on it with 2wd only for a while till the truck decision is made?

My suspicion is the collar/splines that the actuator hits... Yes/no???

 

The CAD axle, which you no doubt have, is notorious for not working alot. It is possible to lock the collar in permanently and then put some manual hubs on it.

 

Thank you.

Rod

 

Check the vaccum lines in front of the skidplate.They are red and black,mine come off alot when I go through alot of mud or snow

 

put one of these on it:

http://www.drivetrain.com/4x4PosiLock.html

I have the dynatrac setup on my '04, and I love it, but the posi-lock is considerably less expensive!

 

posilock it.

At least until you can afford the lockouts.

I like my posilock.

 

you guys are missing the clue- the dash light comes on.... The dash light is on the switch at the CAD- if the dash light comes on the actuator is working- a posilok (which I have- it's not all it's cracked up to be- I would not do it again and am planning on swapping back!) will not solve the problem, neither will vacuum lines.....

If the light comes on the actuator moved, which means the problem is in the axle- either the shift fork is bad/bent, the shift fork has wear pads that crack and wear with age ($0.50 ea @ the dealer), the axle splines could be shot in the CAD or the slide collar is shot.
Of course, the actuator working means the transfer case shifted, but that does not mean the t-case is transmitting power to the front axle- it could be the problem too.

 

Had a posi lock in er... Broke in the first week. Returned it, no probs with posi on the return... Was the tension holding part of the cable. Hopefully they have fixed that...

 

I got a ? for ya. my truck goes into low range but the low range light does not cme on. Any ideas

 

Worst case possible is the front axle housing is bent. They are not that strong and the weight of the engine puts a lot of stress on them. If the truck has seen severe 4wd work or has been jumped, could be a cause.
If you need or want a new actuator and collar, PM me, I have one.

 

I stripped my posi-loc in the 2nd week. Mechanics installed it for me while doing other work- said it was a PITA to install- cable would not function when installed according to instructions so they routed it the best they could. WAY too much friction in the cable.

 

well i put a posi lok on my truck because i had the same problem.... the actuator does not have to move very far for the light to come on..... easy way to check if you are getting vaccuum to the actuator is to crawl under the beast and un hook the lines, have someone inside move the 4wd lever in and out of 4wd a couple times with the truck running. you should feel the vaccuum switch between the two if you put your fingers over the ends. my problem was the CAD it self so i replaced it with the posi lok system. the only problem i have with it is that the wife cant figure it out.... if you go the posi lok way them just make sure to plug the vaccuum lines for the CAD when you are done.