2007 Tundra 4HI Blinking, Can't push 4hi rod back into transfer case

Hi folks! I'm troubleshooting my 4wd. Keeps blinking 4hi when i try to go from 2wd to 4wd. Followed the steps in this thread and confirmed that my motor rusted from the vacuum line that was damaged.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/2007-2020-transfer-case-actuator.61182/

I have it ready to get it all back in...problem i'm running into is i can't push the 4hi rod back all the way in. I have about 14-15 teeth worth of rod sticking out and I can't get it push all the way in so i can install the motor and get the gear timing right. Tried putting it in neutral with engine off and the 4wd knob selector is on 2wd. Tried with the engine running, and in nuetral with the 4wd knob selector on 2wd. nothing. rod moves in and out about 2-3 teeth worth. Also tried unplugging the battery, no dice. Any ideas how i can get it the 4hi rod to move all the way in? Thanks!

 

Just to put this out there incase someone run into the same issue. Appears the TC on the 4.7L is different then the 5.7L trucks. The rod on my 4hi only goes in about 4-5 teeth. So only 14/15 teeth showing when the truck is in neutral. The knob is in 2wd. I timed it according to the video noted in my original post. It took a long time to realize that the rod doesn't go all the way in like others have mentioned.

 

Also, anyone know the interworking of the microswitch. Based on a mega thread about 4wd, in my photo attached of my 4hi actuator on my TC I have it set for 2wd. So does it spin counter clockwise until the other arm at the top (12 o'clock) hit the switch to say hey, you're in 4wd? or does it spin clockwise and the arm on the right around 5 oclock hit the switch to say HEY you're in 4hi? What's the 2 metal tab at the top right corner of the actuator? What do they do?

 

Welp, took some time but was finally able to figure it out. I created a video, mostly for myself to remember what i did, but also hope this help the next person dealing with their 4WD TC Actuator issues. First video is what I learned about 4Hi, second is about 4Lo.

4Hi:
https://youtu.be/j_lbPJp8xTk

4Lo:
https://youtu.be/TiNIhgKKoRU