J Shifter T case troubles

Hey everyone, I have a 5 speed trans with the J shifter T case I had bought a couple of years ago and swapped into my 95' recently. This is a non-electronic actuator J shifter, which should keep things simple.

I installed the shifter after swapping the trans and found that I could not get the truck into 2WD. I took the shifter out and have been trying to get it set perfectly but I am worried my Tcase is having some problems.

For some reason, the left-sided shift rod will not move forward. The right side slides up and down with ease, but the L will not slide up into the configuration that allows 2wd.

Here are some pictures of the shift rods, I can slide the R one up and down, but the L one does not slide all the way forward... and according to other threads about the Tcase, the L one needs to slide all the way forward for my shifter to install properly. Anyone have this problem before?


Thank you

 

Here is my truck, just to grab some attention. I just swapped in a 1jz... runs great in 4wd so far lol

 

bump

 

The right side rail is for 2wd/4wd (shift knob will be positioned to the upper left side of the rail to engage the 2wd/4wd).

The left side rail is for the high/low position. IIRC, the up position is high range and when the rail is pushed down, it’s low range.

Two of the most common error I seen is installing the shifter into the wrong position/slot or the shifter itself got flipped when the retaining C clip was removed and put back wrong.

In this case, the right shift rail should be positioned all the way down (2wd) and the left shift rail should be positioned all the way up (high range). This way, when you shift 2wd to 4wd, the right rail slot will move up and aligned to the high range and allow the shifter to transverse to 4 high. Then when you move the shifter upward (which moves the left rail down) you’re engaging 4wd low.

Hopefully you understand

 

Also, it looks like your transfer case is modified for twin stick prior. The overlap piece from the top left side rail is missing unless the picture isn’t clear. If it is missing, you will not be able to run a standard 1 shifter, you’ll need a twin stick. I’m petty sure the pill box also got pulled off that’s the case.

Attached and circle in red is the overlap on the left side rail to the right side rail.