2011 Jeep Wrangler transfer case

[Barmats]

I don't usually read the manual, but I did for my 2015 Wrangler just to be sure I didn't miss anything. I don't know if it's different from the OP's 2011, but this is how page 555 of the manual instructs you on shifting into Neutral:

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or depress the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
4. Turn the engine OFF.
5. Shift the transfer case lever into NEUTRAL (N).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
8. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions) for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
9. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 with automatic transmission in DRIVE or manual transmission in first gear.
10. Turn the engine OFF.
11. Firmly apply the parking brake.
12. Shift the transmission into PARK or place manual transmission in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL).
13. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.
14. Release the parking brake.

Shifting out of Neutral:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it connected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but do not start the engine.
5. Press and hold the brake pedal.
6. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
7. Shift the transfer case lever to the desired position. NOTE: When shifting the transfer case out of NEUTRAL (N), the engine should remain OFF to avoid gear clash.
8. Shift the automatic transmission into PARK, or place manual transmission in NEUTRAL.
9. Release the brake pedal.
10. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
11. Start the engine.
12. Press and hold the brake pedal.
13. Release the parking brake.
14. Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions), and check that the vehicle operates normally.

I have yet to tow the Jeep but must admit this is a rather complicated procedure. Had I not read the manual, I would have just pulled the transfer case lever into neutral while stopped with the engine running. I have screen shots of the above procedures on my phone so I don't screw it up.

OP - is your transfer case procedure the same as this? If not, do you think it would make any difference?

[zmotorsports]

I have had many Jeeps over the years but our 2011 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is our first cable operated transfer case. I had helped multiple people at campgrounds when the JK/JKU's first came out due to the little plastic cable clip breaking. I even carried a spare before I owned JK.

When I finally was able to purchase our 2011 used and was starting to build it, the Advance Adapters cable upgrade was one of the very first mods I did to it.

Once the cable upgrade was done, the shifts felt completely different as they didn't have that "spongy" feeling when going detent to detent through the transfer case. I did find on a couple of rare occassions that it would not go back into high range without rocking the Jeep a little, moreso than any of my previous Jeeps. Transfer cases don't use synchro's so the gears have a much smaller margin of mis-alignment to have to deal with so this is why many times they have to be rocked in order to get the teeth to align.

One thing that I have found when shifting my transfer case it to always be on a slight incline when shifting. This way I have the option of merely letting my foot off of the brake and rolling just enough for the teeth to engage. So far our Jeep has 56k miles on the odometer, many of those miles in 4-low and an additional approximately 15k towed over the past 4+ years with no issues.

Mike.

[swberry]

Originally Posted by Barmats

I don't usually read the manual, but I did for my 2015 Wrangler just to be sure I didn't miss anything. I don't know if it's different from the OP's 2011, but this is how page 555 of the manual instructs you on shifting into Neutral:

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or depress the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
4. Turn the engine OFF.
5. Shift the transfer case lever into NEUTRAL (N).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
8. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions) for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
9. Repeat Steps 7 and 8 with automatic transmission in DRIVE or manual transmission in first gear.
10. Turn the engine OFF.
11. Firmly apply the parking brake.
12. Shift the transmission into PARK or place manual transmission in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL).
13. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.
14. Release the parking brake.

Shifting out of Neutral:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it connected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position, but do not start the engine.
5. Press and hold the brake pedal.
6. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
7. Shift the transfer case lever to the desired position. NOTE: When shifting the transfer case out of NEUTRAL (N), the engine should remain OFF to avoid gear clash.
8. Shift the automatic transmission into PARK, or place manual transmission in NEUTRAL.
9. Release the brake pedal.
10. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
11. Start the engine.
12. Press and hold the brake pedal.
13. Release the parking brake.
14. Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions), and check that the vehicle operates normally.

I have yet to tow the Jeep but must admit this is a rather complicated procedure. Had I not read the manual, I would have just pulled the transfer case lever into neutral while stopped with the engine running. I have screen shots of the above procedures on my phone so I don't screw it up.

OP - is your transfer case procedure the same as this? If not, do you think it would make any difference?

This is the procedure I use except when I am moving from neutral to 4H like I would after I tow I do that with the engine running instead of off. Seems to work better that way. When the binding happens it does not feel like it's a problem with the gears meshing, but it feels like the cable is binding somehow.

The last couple of times have worked better. We will see what happens, but it seemed to do ok if I let the engine run for a few minutes without touching it. Think I will try that again next time and see if it works again. And for the record I do have the advanced adapters cable installed. It's my second one.

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

Mine gave me trouble a couple of times. What I do now is pretty much like the manual says to do.
After we stop.
I apply the e-brake on the Jeep. Turn the key to on, (not started). Put the Jeep in neutral.
I remove the tow bar from the brackets.
I get in the Jeep, release the e-brake and while I'm pushing the stick out of neutral into 4 low, I give the jeep a little push with my left leg. It seems to help mesh the gears again.