Back in the day those second gear sticks were how it was engaged into 4x4 and one even had to get out of the vehicle and "lock in" the hubs. None of that now though, all buttons and electronics. I miss the old days.
Ahh I remember Dad doing that too, he just described it as he had to "lock the wheel". I think there's a button for the wheel lock now but his gearbox isn't as techy looking as yours.
He still likes his jungle hikes but I don't think he misses doing all the manual stuff with the cars much as he is pushing 70.
Yeah, some have buttons, mine is a knob, the one above the terrain selection one in the image.
I think I'll be the same as your dad as I get older, four wheel driving takes effort, not so much driving, but when one gets bogged it's a lot of work to extricate oneself and that's not an old man's game. (Not that I'm old yet, but you know what I mean.)