New to 4wd...1999 ranger..4wd high seems to engage..light on when I select w/switch..climbs 1/2 mile dirt/gravel well...steers like 4wd is engaged...but if I select 4wd low no light on dash...if I put it in lowest gear and drive what should I feel...how do I tell if it is working properly...may sound like a dumb question, but I have no frame of reference.

 

Low range in 4wd should give you much lower gears. You should be able to take out in third gear in 4wd low similar to taking out in first gear in 4wd high.

 

to engage 4 low ou have to have the truck in nuetral. do you do this when selecting 4 low?

 

^ + foot on the brake

 

really? i never need to depress the brake. just as long as its in neutral.

 

No, I've been trying while in park...thnx

 

Thnx...I think I need to check out shift motor too...it is an automatic as well...

 

In neutral w/brake....I have 4x4 low...thnx guys...

 

That's what we're here for.

 

With a manual I don't have to push the brake. Just in neutral but I keep my foot on the clutch to shift right away

 

It's different for autos. You have to have your foot on the brake and be in neutral for 4 low to engage.

 

Must be different on my 06 because I'm auto and don't gotta push in the brake lol. Unless something's wrong with mine lol.

 

I'm a 2000 so maybe ford changed something?

 

Tried it tonight, I have to push the clutch otherwise it won't shift into low

 

Something might be wrong then - your owners manual says the same thing as all the others.

I've never heard anything different. In fact, the idea of depressing the brake has been tripping new Ranger owners up for years.

The following was 'borrowed' from page #148 & 149 of this PDF: 2006 Ford Ranger Owners Manual

Shifting to/from 4X4 LOW (4WD Low):
Note: Some noise may be heard as the 4WD system shifts or engages.
This is normal and should be no reason for concern.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop
2. Depress the brake
3. On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, place the
transmission in N (Neutral); on vehicles equipped with a manual
transmission, depress the clutch.
4. Move the 4WD control to the desired position.
• If shifting into 4WD LOW (4WD Low), wait for the 4WD LOW light in
the instrument cluster to turn on indicating the shift is complete.
• If shifting out of 4WD LOW (4WD Low), wait for the 4WD LOW light
in the instrument cluster to turn off indicating the shift is complete.

EDIT: Actually, how do you even get it into neutral without depressing the brake? I would assume we have the standard 'shift lock' that requires the brake to be depressed before shifting out of park anyway...unless I've been up too many hours in a row. lol

 

obviously i use the brake to get it into nuetral lol. but i dont have to hold the brake down after already in nuetral to get into 4 low. at least i dont think i do, its been a while since ive needed 4 low. but im almost sure i didnt have to hold the brake

 

No going to lie, the brake gets me too time to time...

 

If I remember to get from park into neutral we have to push the brake but to go from drive to neutral it should just slide into it.

My old bronco with an auto didnt have a e-lock. It was just able to shift into a selected gear.

On a side note. My 91 golf didn't need to push the clutch to start it. I could just turn the key. This tripped me up when I bough my ranger. I'd get in and try and start it then remember I had to push the clutch.

 

I've tried doing that.. It won't go in no matter what unless I'm on the brakes haha

 

my 98, 99, and 04 required the brake to be on while in neutral to go into low. as far as i know, they should all be like that