Hey guys, recently I've been having an issue with all 4wd gears in reverse. I have the NP242 transfer case, and always shift to neutral before shifting into 4wd. Recently though the front tires get no power when in reverse, but performs fine in drive. I recently filled the transfer case, so I will check fluid level again but I'm pretty confident it's full. Any ideas?

 

Here's how the factory suggests you shift the transfer case...

"To engage, shift the transfer case lever from 2H to 4H while the vehicle is moving at any legal speed". I LET OFF THE GAS, THROW THE LEVER, TAP THE GAS AND LET OFF.

4L position: " To engage, slow the vehicle to 2-3 MPH , shift the transmission to Neutral, then shift the transfer lever to the right and pull firmly rearward to 4L".

TO SHIFT OUT OF 4L, SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED, SHIFT THE TRANSFER CASE LEVER TO 2H, THEN THE TRANS TO D IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATIC, OR INTO FIRST GEAR WITH A MANUAL, AND CONTINUE ON.

 

On my 242 I have to put it in reverse and back up a few feet to get 4x4 to engage or disengage, or if I am moving it takes about 30 yards or so before it engages. It isn't instant like the np231 is.

 

On my 2000.. I shift on the fly all the time,. Even at 70mph once for science.
My 95 has the 231, It is the same, Ive shifted it at 55 mph.
To get the 242 into 4x4 from a standstill, go for 4L first, get unstuck, then engage to fulltime or parttime.

Here is a vid on how to engage the np242 from a standstill.

 

I shift my 242 on the fly also but it you have to move further for it to engage than with a 231. One time I was in 2wd coming up on a deep mud hole and I was going about 10 mph and I shifted into 4x4 a few yards before I got to the mud hole then I ended up getting stuck because the 4x4 hadn't engaged yet. I had to shift into 4 low to get out. Now when I am going slow I just shift into 4x4 then back up a few feet then put it into drive and it engages fine. A np231 doesn't have this problem, if your rear wheels start to spin you just let of the gas pull the 231 in 4x4 and it is engaged.