1978 ford f150 4x4 problems

[bsalem77]

hello... i understand that this site pertains to only early seventies models however i was hoping someone could be of some help to me

i have a 1978 ford f150 and i cant seem to engage the 4x4 can someone help me understand the process in which the 4x4 works step by step



also my dome light just started to not work i changed the bulb still nothing


thank you for any help
ben
bsalem77@gmail.com

[fordman]

the dome light could be a fuse it could be a bad door switch it could be the rheostat in the headlight switch. the basic operations of a 4wd shifter is to move a rod which engauges the internals of the transfer case to lock in to position so that it will send power out to the front axle.

there are different transfer case. some are bolted to or (married to the transmission. others are seperate from the transmission or (divorced).
inside of soem of the transfer cases i have seen is a chain that hooks up one set of gears or clutches. to the other set of gears or possible clutches i have never seen clutches in a transfer case. but there may be i don't know.

now not knowing what your truck has in it just by knowing the year i cant help much more with any photos or diagrams. but i know others can tell you because they have more experience with that year of trucks.

[Eric L]

can someone help me understand the process in which the 4x4 works step by step


ben

do you want to know how it works, as in your original question? or do you really want to know "what do I have to do to make my 4wd work?"?

Edit:
here's some reading for you.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-wheel_drive

If the question is the latter.. push or pull lever on floor, lock front hubs, enjoy.. assuming all parts are installed and functional. if its not working maybe tell us what you did and what the result was or what happened. do the front axles spin? does the front driveline spin.. does it have a front driveline?

[cep62]

[quote="Eric L"] push or pull lever on floor, lock front hubs, enjoy.. assuming all parts are installed and functional.

That's pretty much it.
I've had the front hubs not engage because they were sticky and also the T case lever can require some muscle to move .
If that's not enough info ,give some more details.