Decided to try out the 4x4 on my 88 today. With hubs locked the front driveshaft has a lot of play. Rotation play not back and forth. U joints are fine. I can hear noises coming from the differential, which is a Dana 44. So I'm guessing either the driveshaft or something in the differential will have to be replaced? Or maybe even something in the transfer case?

 

Bump

 

if your drive shafts u-joints are good, either your ring and pinion has play or your transfer case chain is stretched out.

pull the shaft then check each one separately.

 

I had a problem with my 4x4. The sound was something similar to what I would imagine a missing a tooth on the ring gear would make and it ended up being the locking hubs