Just bought myself a '99 F150 4x4. Everything seems to work Ok, except the 4LO. I am unable to get it to engage. When I shift the lever, it makes a horrible grinding noise. Yes, I know you need to be in neutral with the brake pressed. BTW, when I try 4HI, I do not get any grinding, and the 4HI lights up in the dash. But without getting it on a lift, I'm not sure how one can be sure it is actually in 4HI.

Before I take this into a mechanic, any clues what may be going on with the 4LO? Is this a common problem? The previous owner not once put it into 4LO in 10 years, so I'm wondering if it is just something in the linkeage.

 

does it have a body lift. my four wheel drive worked fine until i put the body lift on now it grinds when i attempt to put it in four low. i did have to weld a three inch extension in the shaft of the lever and add another bracket at the fork of the shaft i have not got into it and looked at it. i think i might have tighten the bracket to much or the weld is not real straight. good luck and let me no