Transfer case stuck

[FrazerJames]

Just an update on my newly acquired 83 Bronco. It’s in front of the house now, but I can’t get it to start. I think the battery needs a charge since it has been started a bunch over the last few days without driving far enough to get charged. That‘s easy enough...

My real issue is that I was messing around with my new toy and dropped it into 4WD. It was a bit hard to shift into it, but not ridiculous. But now I can’t get it out. I don’t want to force it of course so I resisted that temptation. I figure since it sat for so long it may just be gunky under there, but then I thought - what if I’m just doing this wrong and have no idea.

So there. Am I doing this wrong? I’ve searched all over youtube and the forums and all I keep seeing is later models with stuck transfer cases. I can’ find anything for a Bullnose except a guy taking one apart. Any thoughts?

[Gary Lewis]

Sometimes you have to roll it a bit to get it to come out.  Usually if you have the engine running and in neutral that will do it.  But if you can't get it started, and you are on The Hill, roll it.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Why would the engine running and the transmission/gearbox in neutral do anything?

There's no relative motion of the transfer case input shaft.  🙅

If you mean the transfer case is in neutral, that I understand...

[FrazerJames]

I would imagine putting it in neutral takes some pressure off the forward pull?

Either way - thanks!! I’ll try that!

[Gary Lewis]

Jim - My assumption has been that there's enough drag in the transmission to cause the output shaft of the tranny to want to spin, gently.  And that it is just enough to take the bind out of the t-case gears.

But I've had more than one t-case not want to shift if the engine was off.

[FrazerJames]

Took a little bit of finagling after getting it started, but it’s back in 2wd now. Thanks Gary!

[Gary Lewis]

Excellent!