Didn't realize this but tried to use 4WD in a muddy field today and no go. I haven't used 4WD for prob 6 months so dunno if anything has happened. I check for any possible fuses and all are good anyways. I checked the vacuum ports and elect connection on the actuator and they appear fine. Suppose the actuator went out? Any way to trouble shoot? If so would prob best to upgrade to a cable setup. Thanks.

 

posilock kit..

is your best solution, if you chose not to go that way, then i suggest you check all your vaccum lines, down by the actuator itslef there are two lines, one will push the collar into four wheel drive, and another will pull the collar away, i dont remembe which is which off the top of my head, but if there is oil in the actuator or anything, chances are it is ruined, you can remove it, and try and clean out the vaccum conections, and while you are there check the actual vaccum lines, usually it is the ones at the transfer case, one of those might have come loose, check those, if those arent it, check the ones at the top of the t case, a four connect deal, check it well, also check the steel lines for rusting or cracks, and you can also check out the rubber lines, make sure, and i stress this alot, make sure that all your lines are connected, if none of the above corrects your problem, your actuator is out,

here is what my posi lock install looked like when i finished... and I have a post i made a while back with installation and results.. Lemme find them for ya... here is the pic...

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...cat=500&page=1

and here is the post..

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...ight=Posi+lock


Best of luck!

Tx

 

Right on. I only checked the vacuums by the actuator. I'll check by the t-case. I kinda wanted to go posi loc for a while but haven't really had a reason too. I guess this could be it.... Thanks for the info.

 

Both lines will have vaccum, one will have vaccum during 2WD (I think it is the red one?) Leave it in 2WD, go underneath and pull a line off the actuator and use your finger to check for vaccum. Once you figure out which one it is, reconnect it and put it in 4wd. If you have vaccum at that line the problem is in your actuator. If there is no vaccum, follow the line back to the t case.

 

k, I will try that tomarrow. Thanks for the tips

 

I just re-read my post and it may be a little confusing Heading to college tomorrow and the ol' brain just ain't clickin'.

What I meant to say is, one line gets vaccum to pull to collar into 2WD, while the other is neutral. When you put it into 4WD, a switch is activated in the transfer case that releases the vaccum to the 2wd line and sends vaccum to the other line to pull the collar over to connect the two front axle shafts. You should have vaccum at one line during 2wd and vaccum to the other in 4wd.

 

thats kinda what I figured how it worked. Thanks for clarifying though

 

Good to see i was partially correct

Matt, thanks for clarifying how that switch works for me, and that at least i was able to point Mnorby to the switch on top of the Tcase.. here i thought they worked by one line pushing the collar to four wheel drive and one pullin it away from it... but the whole switch never occured to me, Thanks Matt..

MNOrby, trust me, u cannot go wrong with the Posi lock, its just as relaible as manual hubs and four wheel drive lever on the floor if you ask me.. NO PROBLEMS, all compliments to it!

Tx

 

I'll be posi-locking mine before too long. My 4x4 started sticking and taking a while to engage, now it won't go in at all. I know the problem is in the shift fork assembly, most likely the vacuum motor itself (pancake looking thing sticking out of the shift fork housing). For the aprox. $175 it costs JUST for the shift motor, I'd rather buy the posilock and have it fixed one and for all. I might even make up a custom posi-lock copy...many people have done it on Jeeps with the same system.

Jim

 

I had the same problem on a hill side with a trailer loaded, so i ordered the posi lok and when I stall it i tried to slide the coupler from one shaft to the other with my finger and it was wedged on the shaft, there was a bur inside the collar that wouldn't let it move to ingage the front axle. the collar was about 60bucks from dodge. Just one more thing to check,