Shifting into 4L: Whats your experience w/ 3rd Gen manuals

I have the 2.7L with 5 spd man. w/ apx 600 miles on the new truck and haven't taken it off road yet. I am planning a trip to Utah and will be using the 4x4 4L at that time.

I have read the owners manual and I have tested that the truck shifts into 4H (no need to use the clutch) and 4L (the manual indicates using the clutch to go into 4L) when going up a sharp gravel driveway to prevent wheel spin.

The truck seems to shift into 4H easily, but as I stop. put the clutch in and try to go into 4L I get the beep-beep and blinking light and don't hear the mechanism engaging. I often have to roll/drive a short distance and try again often several times before it definitively goes into 4L. The manual indicates if you get the beep/blink to try again.

Is this a normal experience? How do others experience shifting to 4L?

 

After I turn the switch to 4L, I give it a just a little roll and it usually engages. Make sure you are at a rest when turning the switch.

 

Do you roll with or without the clutch engaged? I guess gears have to mesh correctly?

 

Without. Exactly.