I went to our hunting lease this evening to see if I could bag a deer, didnt see a damn thing.
Anyway, while there was still a little light left, I figured I would make a few runs through some mud holes. I locked the hubs, put the transmission in N, then tried to shift from 2H to 4H but it wouldnt go into 4w. I tried unlocking the hubs then shifting the Tcase to 4H but still no go. This has always worked before but not this time, I cut the engine off with the transmission still in N and it finally let me shift into 2H(I thought I ****ed somethin up so I gave up on 4wd).
My '78 hasnt been in 4wd for god knows how long because the mud holes around here dont really require 4wd. Can someone tell me what I was doing wrong?

I am in Nashville,Tennessee.I own 3 FORD four wheel drives.A 1974 F-350 converted to 4wd (460 Built),a 1978 Bronco XLT (460-C-6-205-D44&D60 w/6 inch suspenion & 3 inch body lifts), and a 1978 Bronco Custom Built Pick-Up (351-4speed-205-D44&D60 8 lug axles w/4 inch suspenion & 3 inch lifts). If i rembember right, the owner's manual said to put in park, lock front hubs, then shift the transfer shifter into 4wd then 4wlow after starting your engine and putting your transmission into drive. NEVER SHIFT IN NEUTRAL, because the transmission is still turning the internal gears. Since you are in Tennessee, you can call me at 615-256-4894 days or 615-256-1988 nights and leave a message on the answering machine. I have friends with 1978 Broncos, F-150's, and F-250's. I also have spare parts, and I am looking for F-700 truck doors,NP 542 5 speed truck transmission,etc. I know of another person wanting to sell a 1978 F-150 Super Cab 4X4 needing a engine and transmission,if you know someone interested? Good luck with your Bronco!

I tried unlocking the hubs then shifting the Tcase to 4H but still no go

With or without the hubs locked would have no bearing on getting the T-case into 4WD. It would go into 4WD in the T-case either way.

I locked the hubs, put the transmission in N, then tried to shift from 2H to 4H but it wouldnt go into 4w

Why did you put the trans in N? When you put the T-case in N with the truck running you will not be able to get it back into 2 or 4WD without grinding some gears, shutting the truck off is the only way you will get it back into 2HI.

More than likely you just have got some corrosion or rust built up on the shift rod of the case not allowing it to go into 4WD. Pull a little harder on that handle next time, it should go.