I replaced the transfer case motor in my 1996 xl ranger as it got stuck in 4wd, it had a connection for the plug but no connection for the lone wire that went to the transfer case which I believe is why it won't go into 4 low. I bought it at o'reilly and paid 100 bucks as I was stuck in 4 low, what's going on!?

 

Brown wire(lone wire to transfer case) is for the electric clutch, you need to cut it and splice it when doing repairs.

The Brown wire doesn't go to transfer case motor it goes to the 4WD module so pull that wire from the "truck side" connector and splice it directly to the transfer case brown wire

How to remove brown wire from connector here: Shift motor replacement - Removing/Replacing the Brown Wire | Ford Explorer and Ford Ranger Forums - Serious Explorations

And that shouldn't effect 4Low, electric clutch is only use for "Shift on the fly", i.e. shifting from 2WD to 4High while moving.
4Low requires you to be stopped and in Neutral(or clutch pedal down) with foot on the brake.

New shift motor may also need to be adjusted so it fully engages 4Low

Google: Ford ranger adjusting shift motor

 

Thank you for your input, I appreciate it.