So you've had temps of -20 where you are and it has never done this?  

Oh, my 4-door may be a little STIFF at -20 (she's the daily driver), but no, no problem like you described.  My 2-door has problems sometimes, in 80º weather - her problem is completely different.

OK, well I guess I need to get the shift boot etc off...and see what I can see... Is the picture that heather posted earlier what I am looking for???

Also, what do you run 75W 90?  What brand? (just curious)


Bryan

Yeah, pretty much that's what you'll be looking for..

it should be pretty plain to you when you get the shifter out and look at it.

I run just plain old valvoline 80/90 in the tranny and 85/140 in the tcases.. but that's just me..

Also, the shifter handle spins off (counter clockwise).

Cool,
So spin the shift knob off.
Take out all screws/clips in trin piece.
Pull boot up and off.

what about the t-case shifter, that's in teh same trim piece so do I take that knob/boot off too?

Then I assume I'll be left with a shift rod sticking up out of a hole. Right?  Is that where I'm looking for water or is this where I push down and twist something out ?  Then look for water?

I feel like the biggest d*mba$$.  I'm very mechanically inclined, I've been working on cars for years. But my dad doesn't have a computer that works worth a dern so I want' to make sure I know what to do when I get there...

Thanks again guys, I owe you guys!
Bryan

Once you get the boots off - there are TWO boots, and a rubber cap over the tranny opening - you do the push and turn 1/4 turn counter-clockwise (or if you're in the UK, anti-clockwise, or if you're an "old school pagan", widdershins), and the thing that holds the stick in, pops out - lift the stick out, and inspect for nastiness.

So there are 2 boots and a cap?  Interesting.  Well I'm getting off in a few minutes so I guess I'll head to dad's and see what I can find out...

Thanks so much for the help everyone!

Bryan

OK, I got the shifter out and it doesn't look as bad as Heather's pic, but there is definitely some trail grime in there  .  

How do I go about cleaning/relubing everything?
Do I clean teh shifter rod with carb cleaner?
What do I grease it back up with? 75W 90 Gear oil?

Also, when I look down in the hole that's open now (no shifter rod) I can see fluid.  It's like a cloudy brown color.  When I drained the fluid last night, did this fluid drain out too? If not that stuff got really cloudy/dirty really quickly cause when I put it in it was like a clear golden brown.  So does this drain out too?  If not, how can I change that oil?  Need something to suck it out maybe?

I really need to get this fixed... :-/

Thanks guys!
Bryan

The hole left by the shifter has no passages that go the the tranny.

One way to clean it is to just use a towl and wipe it out the best you can.

You could also try to fill up the hole with mineral spirets, and then wipe it out.  Then jack up the front so that it all runs back to the hole to be cleaned out.

I would then lub up everything with gear oil.  Even pour a LITTLE into the hole and button up the whole thing.

The only other way would be to take the shifter adapter off the trany.  It's only held on by 4 bolts, and with the 3" body lift it's easy to get to the bolts.

Look at Heathers pictures.  You can see most of it there.

Once the adapter is off, you can disassemble it and clean it.

Of course this takes more time and skill.

Your call

Good luck.

MAKE SURE!!!

If you look close at the picture you will see a small rubber boot in the bottom on the hole.  It's sitting sideways.  Make sure you get this back on the bottom of the shifter.  I can slide up and get lost in the adapter.  Happen to me.

Also the black ring comes out for better cleaning.

So there's not supposed to be ANYTHING (liquid-wise) in that hole?  Cause it has quite a bit of milky oil in it so it seems...

Bryan

Also, since that doesn't have passages to the tranny itself, should i use thicker gear oil to lube it up so it stays better, or some sort of grease instead of oil that would be thicker?

Not a lot.  Just anof to keep things moving back and forth.
And from rusting.

When you pull on the shifter all your doing is moving some rods back and forth.  They go the the front and go into the trany.

I think I greased mine up.  Some bearing grease.  That tends to be more water resistant.