'88 RRC diff lock question

[ThorH]

Looking at possibly picking up a '88 RRC.

97K miles

One issue it has is that I think the diff lock is constantly engaged. The lever inside moves to all 4 positions: H and L, and diff lock H and L.

Regardless of the position of the lever, when making sharp turns you can tell the diff lock is engaged.

Is this typically just a linkage problem? Or is it an internal t-case issue? Not real familiar with how the diff lock operates. Just curious as to how big an issue I might be getting into.

Thanks!

Thor

[Les Parker]

Have you jacked a wheel up (any corner) and noticed that the wheel spins for half a turn or so? This would indicate that the diff. lock is engaged and jacking the wheel up releases the stored up torque
Generally, it is a linkage issue, primarily on the selector mounted on top of the gearbox being seized up.

A good cleaning and using some synthetic grease mostly cures the issue.
(I have found all sorts of goop in the mechanism, spilled soda/coffee, leaking sunroof etc.)

Hope this helps.

[ThorH]

Thanks Les, I just want to know what I'm getting into.