2001 Nissan Xterra 4Wd transer hard to engage.

[JohnWhitfield]

I bought a 2001 Nisan Xterra , and well it is so hard to get a 4WD in nothern Colorado. She ran wel every thing worked. But I never tried 4wd low. Jesus.
I have to jam her in. I think I have vacuum problems. PCV valve is bad. Back rear RT brake wheel cylinder..slow leak. I think the brake switch on the brake pedel
needs adjusting. she "JUMPS" when I change gears. I have to push really hard on the brakes to get her to change gears. Sorry..2001 Nissan Terra SE V6 Auto... Please help. was hoping to go camping this summer!
I is so hard to get her into 4WD low. easy to get into 2WD and 4WD hi

[Java]

Congrats! Those are fantastic rigs with a small trick to the shifter. To shift to 4low in the first gen you have to push down on the transfercase shift knob; for 4hi and 2wd you do not. It will fight you if you don't. You also have to be in neutral / stopped, it's not shift-on-the-fly like Jeeps and toyotas. When you disengage it you may also have to reverse for a few feet to get it to disengage properly.

[JohnWhitfield]

Congrats! Those are fantastic rigs with a small trick to the shifter. To shift to 4low in the first gen you have to push down on the transfercase shift knob; for 4hi and 2wd you do not. It will fight you if you don't. You also have to be in neutral / stopped, it's not shift-on-the-fly like Jeeps and toyotas. When you disengage it you may also have to reverse for a few feet to get it to disengage properly.

YES my friend had a Pathfinder. Showed me how to put it in neutral and push down on transfer shift lever. she works. But I'm still learning how to get her out of 4WD low into 4WD high. I keep grinding gears. I have to shut of engine the put it into 4WD high. 4wd high to 2WD is easy. I guess I need practice. I have 240,00 miles. Do I put synthetic fluid in the transfer or dino fluid? Thanks

[Jim]

Do I put synthetic fluid in the transfer or dino fluid?

What does the owner's manual state to use? (not that this is the last word on it - it just looks like nobody has replied to the question)

[Java]

I use this in my Xterra's transmission and transfercase. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008QDV2JG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Jim]

While I have not touched / worked on a Nissan, as we are in Fort Collins, if you'd like a second set of eyes at the situation, I'd be happy to help.