Anybody else with the manual transfer case able to clear this up for me. I have an 07 and I've noticed the transfer case stick has a few inches of play in it, I was curious if others have the same and its normal. I took it to the dealer thinking it was an issue and they said its normal.

Wanted to see what others manual 4x shifters are like, will probably hit a dealership to check out other manual transfer case trucks to compare.

Also anybody know if its a linkage or cable shifter?

 

It's normal.

 

Thanks for the reply, this is the first 4x vehicle I've owned so was curious.

 

I take it you've never driven a standard shift vehicle too?

 

Thats about all I've driven, which is why I thought this xfer case shifter had excessive play. Even some of the old POS cars I've had in the past didn't have the play in the tranny shifter that this xfer case shifter has.

Aslong as its normal I'm not worried though

 

Ok...

It's normal for it to have a little bit more play than a usual truck standard shift.

A car is usually cable controlled, (unless it is a RWD car), so you don't get any vibration or minimal vibration in the stick... on a RWD vehicle, since it is a direct link to the tranny, it will vibrate and move a little bit as the chassis goes over the terrain. Again, completely normal.

 

Hmm...my '06 transfer case lever (goes straight into the transfer case, no cables) has very little play, or slop. Moves front to back, engages positively, and has no side to side play. 39k miles.

 

Some are like that... I think it has to do with the bushings... but it's not going to hurt anything.

 

Since the lever connects directly to the xfer case I'd expect some movement while taking bumps on the road. Parked the shifter moves a couple inches side to side, I might have to go give another one a try just to ease my mind. It does find gears fine though.

Sucks to hear its a direct connect to the xfer case though...will have to see how a body lift works with that setup.

 

it shouldnt have that much play, mine is tight with 56k on it, no movement at all

 

My 06 is the same way as yours. It is actually one of the smoothest manual shifts I have ever used. I would say there may be at the most 1 inch of travel between 2 HI and 4Hi and I have not noticed any side to side movement. I really like the way it feels and operates and I use it daily to go up the driveway.

 

well poop, now I'm really gonna have to go check another truck out on the lot and see what the shifter is like.

Main reason I'm concerned is I'm putting my lift on next month and trying to get any nagging warranty issues outta the way before I do, just to be on the safe side.

 

I agree.

My 2006 is firm, and controlled with no noticeable play. Shifts are clean, and engagement is positive at road speeds up to 40mph or so (never needed to engage going faster than that).

 

My 04 is snug as as someone else said, I move it about an inch from 2H to 4H.

 

Does your truck have this much slop?

F150 With Sloppy Transmission