4wd not engaging

Hey everybody. My 4wd hasn't been working for some time now. After getting misdiagnosed at a toyota dealer, I took it to a mechanic i know in town. He tells me he's "not getting anything out of the 4wd actuator". After doing a bunch of research on these forums, I decided to look at the actuator myself, but I am having a tough time actually being able to get to the actuator. Ive read that some have loosened the front diff and moved it in order to remove actuator, some have taken down diff completely....Any ideas? Thanks

 

u have the button on the shifter or j shifter?

 

Button is on the shifter

 

Mine went out a couple of months after buying her. It was the A.D.D. (actuator). Toyota also told me I had to replace the 4x4 switch. Turns out I didn't have to replace the switch, just the ADD... I took it to a buddy of mine and he was able to get to it by just removing the skid plate. Good luck man. If you do need the 4x4 switch, let me know. Brand New. Toyota wanted about 1500 parts and labor. I went to the junkyard and found the ADD for 450. Then had it installed for 150. You will need new diff fluid

 

does the button do anything? can u hear the actuator move?

 

I used to be able to hear the actuator make a "zap" noise if thats the right way to describe it, but now I hear nothing...