That song was a favorite in my youth!
Turns out that I'm an uninformed idiot. After some interwebs research and adding 2+2, I hypothesized that this case may have the TeraLow 2LO shifter installed too. Shift pattern = 2HI, 4HI, N, 4LO, 2LO. In operating the TJ shifter in normal fashion by pulling back to the stop, I was firmly putting the case into 2LO. Local field test confirmed my ignorance and I am breathing a huge sigh of relief that I don't have to pull the case! Thank you, God!