Truck won't Move in 2wd

I test drove a 2004 V6 (automatic) this morning. Truck wouldn't move forward in 2wd. It would only go in 4wd-H. Didn't test 4wd-L. Thoughts on the cause/fix/price.

 

Curious to see if the rear prop shaft moves while attempting to drive in 2WD. If the prop shaft spins (which it should if the 4HI works) its likely a rear differential/axle failure. If the prop shaft doesn't spin then its a transfer case failure, but the design of the transfercase means the output of the transmission is directly linked to the rear prop shaft, making it unlikely.

 

Did it have a rear driveshaft in it? If it did was it spinning when trying to move in 2wd? 1st guess would be spider gears or rear axle broken. Did it make any noises when trying to move or while moving in 4wd? Need more info to make a better diagnosis. Most likely axle shaft if it doesn't make any noise.

 

I could feel the rear wheels gripping the asphalt lot when making a turn. Doesn't seem to be a broken axle. Was doing a test drive with owner and her elderly mother when I saw she had it in 4wd. I put it in 2wd at the light, bit no go. Tried again while sitting in the truck. no go. Truck has a rebuild title and carfax shows it as "total loss" some years ago, before her ownership. Was going to make an offer, but the 2wd issue was too much.

 

RUN AWAY!

Especially if you don't know the issue as well unless seller want 500 buck, haha

 

Are you sure it was in 2hi and not neutral? The transfer case has a neutral position.

 

Screen Shot 2018-12-02 at 8.51.24 AM[/url] by Larry Johnson, on Flickr[/IMG]

I told her I couldn't offer more than $2K. She replied that someone offered her $4K and would give him a call.
Holy cow!, I did put it in N from 4wd-H where she had it. Didn't see a 2wd marking on the shifter, only 4wd-L, N, 4wd-H.

 

Be afraid. be VERY Afraid!

 

That's what I was thinking too. Shift pattern is fairly close on those. Also, was the 4WD light on, on the dash? On mine for 2hi the shifter is on H without the electric 4WD button pushed.

 

That shifter doesn't have a 4h position. All the way down is high range, 2wd. Push the button and it's 4wd.

 

OK. Does the 4wd button stay in when in 4wd? Once in 4wd, how is it returned to 2wd? Toggle the button?

 

Push on, push off. There will probably be a light on the dash when the front is engaged.

4hi and 2 hi are the exact same thing in a tcase, as far as the rear is concerned. Nothing moves, nothing changes. If the rear is working in 4, it is working in 2. Shifting to low, still the same, as far as the rear output. The ratio changes, but if the rear is working in 4, it has to work in 2.

My vehicles have always had the standard shifter which shows a 2 hi. Moving it to 4 only shifts the gearing that engages the front output. It doesn't do anything to the rear. The electric shifter does the same thing except you don't have to move the shifter.

If you have a vehicle that legitimately only moves with the front axle engaged there is a physical problem between the transmission and rear tires. In your original post I'd label the problem as just not knowing how that system worked.

 

Thanks. I've walked away from this one. Test drove a '97 and made an offer. Deal pending. Creating new thread.

 

My 1st was a 96, picked up an 02 shortly after and sold the 96. Then moved and sold the 02.