i think they are actuated by vacume

 

The front is always locked in. When you engage the Transfer Case you engage the front axle drive shafts which locks it up to the rear. This is the reason that they are all Open Gearing.


Now sometimes they don't like to come out. This happens on the NV242HD case a lot! If you have axle bind you can't come out of lock as the torque keeps you locked in.

Try to reverse about 100 feet. Turn all the way to the right then all the way to the left while slowly reversing to get it completly out. But this is more on the 242?

 

Ok, if the front is always locked in, I should not be able to turn the front drive shaft when the tires are on the ground, right? I can and there is a clicking sound coming from the front pumpken, so is there something wrong with the front end?

 

Here> https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...ight=axle+bind

 

Sounds to me like you broke a pinion gear. You need to pull it apart!

 

As Hydra mentioned, your front end is shot... I wouldnt recomend driving it at all as it might grenade the casing if it already has not. That would be costly and def a junkyard run.