I just picked up an '87 K5 blazer and i was wondering how to shift into 4wd. Its and automatic transmission. I couldn't find an owners manual anywhere. I assumed that i put it into neutral and then move the 4wd stick into 4 hi or 4 lo. The problem is that when i do this the 4wd won't engage as far as i know. It grinds like its trying to shift into gear. Am i doing something wrong? Do i put it into neutral, move the 4 wheel shifter and then shift back into drive? I know that this is a very basic question, but i've never owned a 4wd vehicle before. I'm a die hard subie owner and picked up this blazer as a project vehicle. Thanks for the help!!! BTW aside from some minor rust the blazer in in fantastic shape!! I can't wait to clean it up and show some preliminary pics before i start the restoration and build.

 

should be able to put it in in park or drive i believe to get out of 4lo you need to put in into neutral first

if you have manual hubs make sure they are engaged

 

the hubs are auto. so, i shift into 4wd while in park, and then shift into drive?

 

try neutral. if the K5 is like my S10, you should be able to shift int 4hi on the fly, but 4lo and tcase neutral require you shifting the transmission into neutral, not park.

 

I had a simular problem with my 84 K5, when i bought it it was stuck in 4wd low and when I tried to put it in 4wd hi or 2wd hi it would grind and wouldnt go, i pulled the transfer case and disassembled it and found that the range selecter fork was worn and wouldnt push the shaft far enough to switch out of 4wd lo. new fork cost me sixty bucks and have never had a problem since. also, anytime i shift the transfer case i put the tranny in nuetral and shift transfer case, then put the tranny back in drive and it works every time. hope this helps! K5 or die!!!!!!

 

On my cobbled up mess of different years of a 83 K5 I can shift to 4hi on the fly but i have to be in N to get in and out of 4low. I also have to shift from D to R a few times to make the 4wd start pulling.(auto hubs)

 

thanks for the info guys. I'll have to try this stuff out. The blazer is still in PA at my cousins house and i can't pick it up for about another month. Can't wait to get it home and start restoring/building it up.

 

At lula...how do you know when it's in 4wd?....