Pop's out of 2nd - tough shifting

[Stubbs]

I've recently installed a 2 inch body lift on the TJ, and since that time, I have experienced a tough time getting it to go into 2nd gear, grinding and stuff, and this morning it popped out of gear while driving.


I know that you may need to do some "minor renovations" to solve this problem, but when I put the truck in 2nd and crawled underneath, (without it running of course) it looked like there was enough room in the hole in the floor for the shifter. Could it simply be the shift boot itself??

:confused:

BTW, reverse is kind of tough also...

[Jerry Bransford]

First, it's likely related to decreased clearance under the boot. The first thing to do is to lift the boot up and you'll find a neopreme tube at the base of the shift lever. Cut that tube off and that will give the lever a bit more clearance. I'm not sure what it does other than maybe hold the outside boot up a little. At any rate, I removed mine three years ago for this problem though with my 1" body lift, the problem wasn't as bad as yours is. You might have to enlarge the opening in the console or floor the shft lever protrudes through if removing the neopreme tube doesn't help enough. Problems like this are why I always recommend 1" body lifts since even with 2" lifts, minor problems like this begin to crop up.

[JasonS]

I'd agree with Jerry. I'd check the boot, and work my way down.
If it looks as though there is enough room underneath, it may be that tube covering the gear shift under the boot.

[Steelheader]

Stubbs, ditto on the above answers. I have also read that you may have to trim away some of the metal where the shifter hit the tub. You also gotta remember that when sitting without any torque applied to the tranny, it may appear that there is room, but when you release the clutch it causes the tryanny to move. This could cause the shifter to hit the tub and get knocked out of gear. HTH and Happy Jeepin' Bro! :)

[97whitesport]

stubbs,
in addition to mine rattling, it is hard to get into reverse, and it has popped out in second. if you try cutting the tubing and enlarging the hole,let me know. you will probably get to yours before me. im just an illiterate college student trying to "get by". good luck.

[Stubbs]

97whitesport, I don't know if I will get to mine before you. I have no garage and well, let me just say that the weather here in Toronto is not conducive to wrenching!! :D

[97whitesport]

i hear you stubbs.
well, i am working on getting some info on the rattling, so i will keep you informed. peace

[YelloTJ]

Stubbs,
I also bent my shifter for more clearance after my 2" BL. It gives me more clearance when engaging 2,4,and reverse.

Kirby

[jkozub]

Stubbs,

Jerry has the right idea, try removing the rubber tube around the shifter, just that little bit of add clearence allowed me to shift freely once again.

[Stubbs]

Now, I got under the jeep last night and I see the rubber tube you guys are talking about. How did you guys remove it? It was so cold out last night that I couldn't tell that it was made out of rubber!!

[jkozub]

:eek:
I used a razor blade, carefully slit down the middle and just peeled it off.

[JasonS]

Correct me if I'm wrong, I thought we were talking about the rubber piece underneath the shift boot. You know the one you don't have to crawl under the jeep to get at?
You just pull up on the boot to expose?
The 'sleeve' underneath the jeep was metal I thought?

[jkozub]

JasonS,

Your thinking of the same one I was, just pop up the boot, and theres a rubber sleeve around the shift handle, slit that and remove, and that should give you the added clearence!

[JasonS]

Yeah. Stubbs said he 'got under the Jeep last night'

[Stubbs]

I just assumed that I would need to access the bottom of the shifter from under the jeep. If I don't, then thats all the better for me!

Thanks for the help guys, I'll try it tonight! :)

:beer:

[Stubbs]

OK Guys, I did it, and guess what!?

IT WORKED!!!!


:D

Thanks for the help. BTW, I just removed the shifter knob adn slipped the rubber tube right up over the shifter. 5 minute job at most.

Again thanks for the help..

[JasonS]

Glad to hear it was that easy and worked for ya!!
Can't beat the help on these BB's.

JasonS

[jkozub]

Glad we could help Stubbs. Now you just have to buy the :beer:

[Stubbs]

MMMMmmmmmmmmmm :beer:

[JasonS]

I second that!!!!!!

[jkozub]

As Homer Simpson says:

Emmmmm Beer !!! :beer: :beer: