4 by 4 problem
 

08 ranger sometimes won`t shift out of 4 high it sometimes takes up to a mile to shift out, could it be the transfer case shift motor? 4 low works just fine,should I unplug the battery and reset it first?:

Put your truck in reverse and drive it for a little bit.. I had mine get stuck once, called the dealership and they told me to do that. Have no clue why it worked.

It relieves the tension on the drivetrain. I would keep an eye on that motor tho. Afaik the last generation of rangers (99 or y2k and newer) shouldn't need to have this done tho. The front axle is a live axle and constantly turning. The transfer case is what prevents any power being distributed to it.
Previous trucks had those vacumn hubs that would require you to back up.
I've never needed to put my 08 in reverse to disengage the 4wd system.

My 85 bronk with locking hubs required me to back up 20 feet to release tension.

wondering if I could unbolt the motor and have my wife turn the switch off and on to see if the motor is not going off as it engages just fine but won`t disengage for a mile or so

well I tapped on the transfer case motor and in a parking lot at low speeds it goes in and out of 4 high like it should but when driving at speed it still takes about a 1/4 mile to come out of 4 high, got me baffled

transmission in neutral , foot on brake pedal

it should shift fine

How fast are you travelling when this is occurring? I know my 07 wasn't supposed to be shifted in or out of 4hi above 100km/h

100kmph?!?!? The manual says 80 max.

100kph WOAH???????

the maximum speed that can safely be attained in 4x4 HI is no more than 52 kph , this from a master ford technician

maybe 30 kph

Lol speed and 4x4 is fine. Although at those speeds you shouldn't need it at all.

As for the shifting issues, yes you can in bolt the shift motor. 3 bolts, real easy. Pull it off and have someone shift to 4hi and back, see if the motor hesitates.

That's where I'd start looking.

thank you the answer I was waiting for