Hi all.

I just went to drive my 96 F150. It was in 4x4 Low from a previous snow threat. It never happened. FN weather men. Any way. I pushed down the shift *** to release and shift to 2wd. Shifter got real sloppy. So I grabbed my new diode flashlight and went under the truck at 8pm in 18 deg weather. I could not believe it. My manual shifter was broken at he 1.5" x 4" mount. It looks to be cast white metal? I have to go and manually move the shifter linkage on transfer case. This s()&ks. Has this happen to anyone?
Now I have to go to a bone yard in the winter up here in NH and pull one. Then install it.

Aaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hardtail60

 

Yes, unfortunately it happens when the shifter doesn't get used or maintained enough. It needs oil/grease per the maintenance schedule.

Good luck finding a useable one that matches yours. There are at least 3 styles of shifter & 3 index plates, and they're all getting scarce. Yours is like this:

 

Yes, But, it was in good working order. Ford OEM is $265. To weld $100. Bone yard, If I can find one, $75.
I will anti-sieze it and add a grease fitting this time.

Hardail

 

It is a 1356-78.

 

Happened to me once in a jeep......was in deep mud in 2wd when I got stuck. Went to shift into 4low and suddenly the shifter didn't work. 2.5 hours later cutting back and forth through the same ruts I finally got out