Help On Towing Jeep

On my older models, I just reach in an slap the transfer case handle forward. Tranny still in park and it goes in without fuss. Wont work very well if the engine is running though.

For those of us who 4 wheel year round I can guarantee that that grinding is of little consequence. As far back as I can remember (1970s) all transfer cases with the manual lever will grind some. While in park, start the Jeep, put it in neutral and grab the transfer case handle and shove it forward. Then with the brake pressed, put it in drive and reverse to make sure it is in gear. If you don't start the engine you may not get the T-case into 2wd as the gears may not be lined up. When it is running the gears turn slowly but will go in. The Jeep transfer case is built to withstand a lot more than you putting into 4 high and back to 2wd.

On a side not, when putting the t-case in neutral make dang sure that it actually out of gear by putting your Jeep in drive and reverse and then back to neutral. I have had a few times it wasn't in neutral. This would be bad if you towed it and it was in gear. Just make sure you turn the engine off while tranny is in neutral before you put it in park. Easy, right?

On a side, side note....my manual is still using pre-2012 instructions that say I need to leave the key in the ignition. Wranglers haven't had a locking wheel since 09.

Most of the time ours will not go into gear either. I assume they are straight gears and sometimes are not aligned so you can shift into High.

But starting the engine and then shutting it off seems to work. You aren't supposed to leave the engine running while shifting out of neutral.

David

From the manual for my 2013

Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for normal usage.?
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it connected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.?
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK/OFF position.?
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but do not start the engine.
5. Press and hold the brake pedal.?
6. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.?
7. Shift the transfer case lever to the desired position.

With all that said, my transfer case is a bear to get from neutral to 2H. Sometimes, I'll drop it into 4L and continue with the disconnect. Then, I'll drive it a few feet, put the transmission in Neural and then shift to 2H. It seems to work more smoothly this way.

We have a a 2013 Wrangler with the auto trans. I have never had it grind but there are times that it just won't go into 2WD from neutral. After a few tries it will finally go. I have never had it slip right into 2WD on the first try like you think it should.

Turn key on, but don't start. Put transmission in neutral, then start engine. Put transfer case in 2 wheel drive and you're ready to go. Works for us.

The jeep is automatic, follow manual. I know that the gears are not lined up sometimes and it will not go into high.

You didn't say if it is an auto or 6 speed. Sometimes my manual slips right in sometimes it grinds a bit. I just put the emergency brake on, depress clutch, start the engine and put tranny in neutral. I've towed three different Jeeps all acted basically the same when going from neutral to 2 high. Nothing to worry about.

No reason to have the engine running. Just wait for the nuetral light and shift to park. Engine should be off. Never had a problem with my liberty.

On mine, I shift the transmission to neutral, pull up emergency brake, turn ignition key to off, and push transfer case handle forward