Difficult to reach low range...

[landmannnn]

I hear what you are saying but I can't understand why?

It might be that the torque converter is still applying some torque to the gearbox output when in neutral. (Or the gears are locked when in P)

 

[Eric]

It might be that the torque converter is still applying some torque to the gearbox output when in neutral. (Or the gears are locked when in P)

Both those 2 seem logical, but more likely the first N option, I usually use P with the engine running.
I also think operator apprehension play a part. When I am not in a hurry, and parked on my drive and feeling quite laid back, it goes in easy.
If I am rushing and in a strange place with a trailer in tow and tense about putting low/diff lock in, or worrying about the lever pin falling out then it is sometimes difficult.

 

[Jean Mercier]

I hear what you are saying but I can't understand why?

Well, I had the same experience as @landmannnn , and I don't understand why either.

 

[Tom D]

As there is no synchro in the transfer box the gears do have to line up. If you happen to have stopped with the teeth facing each other then it won't engage. Rolling forward or back a short distance will fix this. I have also noticed that allowing the lever to move slightly side to side helps. It's tempting to push it hard away from you (RHD) to keep it diff locked as you change ratios, don't do this, it doesn't help. Just allow it to feel its own path forward or back.

 

[Barrett1]

I have used low box a lot recently, it is definitely easier to get in and out of gear than it was at the start. Whether that is due to the car loosening up or just me getting a feel for it I can’t say. Just like the old defenders it’s easier to get into gear if the car is rolling slightly, so on a hill allowing a slight roll forwards of backwards makes a difference. If you’re on the flat it can be trickier.
Choosing when to engage low box is the key, do it before you need it not once you’re stuck.

Out of curiosity to see if rolling slowly in neutral made it easier to shift into low range I tried it today. What I found was that when I went very slowly in drive and then shifted into neutral to keep rolling slowly while I then attempted to shift the transfer case, the car stopped. In other words, it seems like shifting from drive or reverse to neutral actually stops the car, whether by auto-braking or putting it into a type of park I am not sure. Can anyone who has recommended a very slow roll in neutral to help the transfer gears mesh up when shifting the transfer case clarify how they accomplish this?

Thanks,

Sean