Trouble getting Jeep Wrangler back into 2H after towing

dsteinman wrote:
I find that starting the engine and then turning it off again is enough to be able to get back into 2H easily after towing.

David

we have the occasional problem w/ our (fully manual, 2012) Wrangler as described by the original poster.

I have found an easy resolution (the same as David)....with our (manual) trans in neutral I start the jeep and then turn it off....the transfer case range selector drops into 2H very easily after the quick start/shut down.

I follow the owners manual by turning ignition to ON position without starting engine and moving shift lever from park to neutral and then try to move transfer case to 2 WD. I've tried turning engine over, rolling back a few inches, rolling forward and even cursing. I guess it eventually goes but after a long day of towing it just gets,frustrating sometimes.

Re. Rolling back, should I be trying to move it into 2 H while moving?

On my 2015 Wrangler, I always have the motor running, foot on the brake, shift the transmission into neutral and the transfer case slides into 2H easily. JH

Our 07 wrangler has an inter lock and you can only shift the transfer case when the tranny is in neutral.

I find that starting the engine and then turning it off again is enough to be able to get back into 2H easily after towing.

David

Our old Wrangler transfer case would sometimes balk at going back into gear. I learned that the key was the angle of the pavement. I would let the Jeep roll until it found a neutral incline. The dip in front of a driveway was perfect. I would let the Jeep rock back and forth until it found itself with no stress on the drive train. Then it would slip right in. Heck, even our 2012 Rubicon gets a little cranky once in a while.

You don't want to put too much pressure persuading the transfer case to go into gear. The plastic clip previously mentioned can break. Then you have to crawl underneath with a screw driver to get it in gear. You can find extensive information on jeepforum.com.

Simple solution which I have to use in my 15 JKU.

While trying to return to 2 wheel drive on level ground, simply place your left
foot on the ground and push the Jeep backward a bit. While doing so, the Jeep
will easily return to 2WD.

With my old 2010 JK Wrangler, I found the transfer case shifter was somewhat fragile, it seems the cable was only held in place by a plastic clip that would break if forced. It just took a bit of wiggling to get it to the correct position.

I would suggest you need the engine running and transmission in neutral, not park.

Sorry, I should have mentioned it's an automatic tranny.

Haven't tried going into 4 wd, only back into 2 H. I guess I could try 4 wd next trip.