Manual 4x4 to pushbutton 4x4 swap.

[GT80]

Your switch is probably just going bad. Is it still the original one? They do make replacement 4x4 switches, seen them on Amazon for $30 or so.

That's pretty much the only component I haven't replaced or tested in the whole system. Worth a shot for $30 I guess.

 

[Hobie]

You'd be better off with the manual. I think it's pretty F'n stupid to have a button to shift into 4wd, it's just one more electrical thing to go wrong. And it will. Switches go bad, motors go bad, wiring, need I go on?

Sounds like you dont understand how the OBS 4x4 system works... yes the shifter on the floor allows you to shift the Tcase without issues, but you also have to remember the front axle still has all of those stupid electronics that fail far more often than the pushbutton electronics.
But what the hell do I know???

 

[Hipster]

Sounds like you dont understand how the OBS 4x4 system works... yes the shifter on the floor allows you to shift the Tcase without issues, but you also have to remember the front axle still has all of those stupid electronics that fail far more often than the pushbutton electronics.
But what the hell do I know???

Electronics? yeah it's a solenoid/actuator , and they crap out too so what's your point?

 

[Hobie]

Electronics? yeah it's a solenoid/actuator , and they crap out too so what's your point?

My point is, that push button 4x4 isnt the problem. The problem is still the actuators.

 

[Hobie]

Electronics? yeah it's a solenoid/actuator , and they crap out too so what's your point?

My point is, that push button 4x4 isnt the problem. The problem is still the actuators.

 

[Hipster]

My point is, that push button 4x4 isnt the problem. The problem is still the actuators.

Exactly, so lets put an extra one on the T-case and have more problems. It is you that doesn't understand that pushbutton 4x4 runs off an additional actuator.

 

[Hobie]

Exactly, so lets put an extra one on the T-case and have more problems. It is you that doesn't understand that pushbutton 4x4 runs off an additional actuator.

Again, 90% of the time, the tcase actuator never fails, but the front axle actuator is the problem child. I dont think the justification of 'because it's an extra actuator' justifies the cost of swapping to a manual tcase. Not only will you end up cutting up your floor, hole in the dash, and a new set of useless wires, all for a possible problem that hardly shows itself, while the real issue shows itself every time 4x4 is used. The Thermo actuators on these trucks are horrendous, and I've even had issues with the updated electric actuator, the only thing I can think of is the permanent locked in diff bolt sold by LMC, but they have been sold out for as long as I can think.

 

[CRF450R]

Again, 90% of the time, the tcase actuator never fails, but the front axle actuator is the problem child. I dont think the justification of 'because it's an extra actuator' justifies the cost of swapping to a manual tcase. Not only will you end up cutting up your floor, hole in the dash, and a new set of useless wires, all for a possible problem that hardly shows itself, while the real issue shows itself every time 4x4 is used. The Thermo actuators on these trucks are horrendous, and I've even had issues with the updated electric actuator, the only thing I can think of is the permanent locked in diff bolt sold by LMC, but they have been sold out for as long as I can think.

And yet me and other of my buddy's that ran and thrashed on these pushbutton 4x4s never once onc had a problem with that pushbutton 4x4 and I'm starting to notice there eyeing up 97-98 Z71 extended cab pushbutton 4x4s so they can replicate there high-school truck and soon as they find a truck they like and they see it's manual shift 4x4 they say I've seen enough not interested. Push button 4x4 and IFS front suspension desrvesd more respect then it gets. If you want a carbureted piece of junk with a crap 3 spd junk th350 or junk th400 3spd with a stupid solid junk solid front axle go buy a redneck pos old junk 87 or older chev truck and enjoy having to get out to lock your Frozen hubs at -50C enjoy your Frozen linkages for your manual shift junk 4x4 enjoy your 5 miles per gallon thanks to your crappy th400 3spd . I HATE CARBURETORS I HATE SOLID FRONT AXLES I HATE TH 350 AND TH 400 3PD TRANSMISSIONS I HATE MANUAL SHIFT 4X4 TRUCK'S ASWELL ! I LIKE MY PUSHBUTTON 4X4 THAT HAS NEVER EVER GIVEM ME ANY PROBLEMS EVER I LIKE MY OVERDRIVE 4L60E WITH 350 000 ON IT LIKE MY FUEL INJECTION I LIKE MY IFS FRONT SUSPENSION AND IF I WANT TOO BUY A ****** 94 CHEVY AND TOSS THE JUNK MANUAL JUNK SHIFT TRANSFER CASE IN THE TRASH FOR A PUSHBUTTON 4X4 I HAVE THE DAM RIGHT TO DO SO !

 

[Hobie]

I dont see what you're getting at @CRF450R, I'm defending the pushbutton 4x4 units, and you're bashing me for 'liking carbureted 3 speed auto gas guzzlers?' I just dont understand the rant there bud.

If you want to replicate your glory days with a pushbutton 4x4 then I personally would wait for a pushbutton 4x4 to come on the market. The labor, cost, and headache it would be to make a manual to electric swap would be a nightmare, and I personally wouldnt deal with it. Now, this is my opinion, and if you want to perform the swap, that's more power to you, and if needed, I will even provide what information I have/know from my 96' pushbutton system.

That being said, you did post to ask for advice and opinions on performing the swap, in which I did give both my advice and opinion.

 

[Hipster]

I would appear someone has pushed CRF's button. lol