How to put a 86 K20 into 4WD?
 

oke,

this summer we bought our K20 from '86.

drives great and we love it. I am now wondering how you put it into 4WD?

We have a big selector on the floor in the middle of the cabin.

But how do you put it into 4WD?

does you car have to be in D? or in P? or in N?
do you have to be driving slowly? or stand completely still?

some advice would be welcome.

Re: How to put a 86 K20 into 4WD?
 

If I am pretty sure I will need it I will go ahead and lock my hubs before heading out. You can put it into 4WD High in gear but I always come to a complete stop first. To put it in 4WD Low you have to put your tranny in Nuetral.

Re: How to put a 86 K20 into 4WD?
 

I pretty much agree with the previous post. First step is to verify what type of front hubs you have, if they need to be locked manually or whatever.

The floor selector should move from 2wd to 4hi at any time. Shouldn't require that you stop the vehicle to change between the two.

If you want 4-lo, pretty sure that the transmission needs to be in neutral before you try to move the floor lever to 4-lo.

I always disengage 4-lo the same way. I often engage and disengage 4-hi while moving, and have not had any problems.

Re: How to put a 86 K20 into 4WD?
 

thanks guys!

I think I have automatic front hubs. Because there is nothing I can do on those hubs.

So I think I can only use the selector inside the cabin.

here's a pic of my front wheels, just to make sure
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_i4YwYZutwgk/TA...%20%283%29.JPG

Re: How to put a 86 K20 into 4WD?
 

To be absolutely sure it's done correctly, first try being in neutral at a dead stop first slide the selector back to the desired 4wd hi/low place vehicle in gear.

if you move the selector and you feel absolutely no resistance then it is not connected to the transfer case.

if you feel resistance btween each selection and it does not go into 4wd or move at all when in gear you need your t case checked out .

Re: How to put a 86 K20 into 4WD?
 

Those are "automatic" lockout hubs on your front suspension. Like others said, switch from 2 High to 4 high rolling or stopped. Caveat! Some trucks like to be rolling if there is excessive wear on the parts in the transfer case, and if you try to move it with it stopped it may just grind and grind and the lever won't go into position. If this is the case with yours, try taking off and coasting at idle and moving it. If it still grinds and doesn't want to move, try accelerating and moving it at the same time. Different trucks with different wear will like you to do it different ways. It will take some experimenting to find the way your truck wants it done to it. Enjoy, and happy 4 wheeling. :)

Re: How to put a 86 K20 into 4WD?
 

Very true! Seems like every truck likes it a little different.

Re: How to put a 86 K20 into 4WD?
 

can anyone tell me what position is 4hi 2hi and 4low i dont have the stock boot and this is my first chevy 4x4

Re: How to put a 86 K20 into 4WD?
 

Looking at it and dash in front of you its as follows:

4Lo
N
2WD
4High

Its a NP208 transfer case.

Re: How to put a 86 K20 into 4WD?
 

If your truck has the original sun visors, you should flip the driver's side one down. There's usually a "4 wheel drive instructions" decal on the side that faces the headliner when it is in the up position. Sometimes, the decal has deteriorated and hard to read though.

Re: How to put a 86 K20 into 4WD?
 

no sun visors this truck is practically been striped on the inside only has what you need no carpet no shift boot no headliner no sun visors no ash tray and the seat is falling apart