working on a 2000 4runner 3.4 V6 and Manual R150 Transmission...

i swapped the clutch and am almost done, but i hastily pulled the TCase shift lever out with the vehicle in 4LOW after driving it up some homemade ramp...

didn't think it would be an issue, but i can't seem to get it back in... occassionally i think i have it all the way in but the snapring won't engage, so i know its not... can't get it out of 4low... clutch working great, just can't get the final lever back in... or out of low... doh!!

the lever fork leg that goes inside the tcase should go on the right(passenger) side of the spring in there... passenger side of the straight section... and for 4 low the lever handle is way forward and right... the fork leg kinda straight down towards the back...

don't want to force or break anything... any suggestions??