truck wont stay in 4-high

[BigHemi353]

i just bought a 86 3/4 ton silverado and it wont say in 4-high and sometimes 4 low. what can i do to fix this problem?

[Irish_Alley]

what you mean. does it jump out or slip. what case do you have thats a 208 right?

[BigHemi353]

it jumps out. doesnt grind. im not sure what it has to be honest with you. i just got it yesterday from a guy that knew jack squat about it and i have crawled underneath to look at the tag just yet.

[Irish_Alley]

from what i was told about manual tranys when they do that, i know were talking bout t case, but that means there going bad not sure but i know there will be more post about it in 24 hrs they will give you more info on your ordeal but i guess its only 4 and not 4x2

[BigHemi353]

well, this is my first 4x4 so transfer cases are new to me. ive put them in trucks before but never messed with em. if its going bad, its not a big deal. its coming out to anyways when i restore the truck.

[dunedigger]

In my experience with these trucks, almost every time it's the linkage.  Especially when a body lift or cab rot get involved.  Under the truck near where the linkage hooks to the t case you will see that it's threaded and locked with nuts.  You can move the nuts and will alow the handle to stay in the proper location on the floor shifter plate under the boot so it will stay put.  I just did this on one of my trucks last year.  Try that first.

[VileZambonie]

Agreed, check the linkage and shifter 1st.

[Igosplut]

I've replaced the shift forks in 208s because they can bend.

[BigHemi353]

i'll be sure to check the linkage first then. i looked up at it and saw it had an aluminum case so it is a 208. i'd prefer to go with something a little more durable if i so have to replace this so what would you recommend. a 203 or 205?

[Igosplut]

205 (gear driven). 203s a chain. try to get the 205 that has the slip-yoke in the transfer case instead of on the driveshaft (unless it's lifted more than 6").

[CruzinHigh]

205 with a twin stick conversion!! 

Arrrhh arrrrahh  (that's the best Tim Allen impression I can do here!)  lol

[dixieoffroad86]

i had this problem with my 86 with a 208 it would jump out of 4 hi then i was going down the road and the truck quit pulling. the bearings locked up,  the guy who rebuilt it said they jump out of gear when the bearings start to go had it rebuilt and it never jumped out of gear again

[hilton850]

I realize the last post was over a month ago...that being said, I have a 208 transfer case in my truck...a 3/4 ton doing farm duty for 14 years before I got it and I only ever had two problems with it.  One was a chain that got stretched after about 10 years of relatively hard use and the other was the linkage needed adjustment when the OEM body mounts had gone bad.  I've used this thing for plowing snow since I was old enough to reach the pedals and for competing in local truck pulls for a few years as well as some heavy duty towing and I've had absolutely no issues with strength or reliability with the 208.  Just my experience....If you're building a truck for off road and are going to have a crazy engine and huge tires then I would agree with others the 205 is the way to go, I just think the 208 works better in a truck that will be used every day.  I have a 205 in an off road buggy and they are rugged, but mine is hard to shift in and out of 4 wheel drive.  If it were my truck I'd personally take the 208.  The 208 shifts much easier and makes less noise in 4 wheel drive (the 205 makes some gear noise since it's gear drive instead of chain) and the 208 may not be the strongest of the cases but it's strong enough for most anything a normal person would do with their truck.  Just my $.02