Does it do it in dirt?

 

yeah it does it on dirt too... 4x4 still engages and gets me out, I am just worried about the noise.

 

So with 4x4 engaged do you get this noise when driving straight or when turning? Do you get this noise from turning the wheel, but are at a complete stop?

 

you may want to check your front axles ,they have constant velocity joints and not the typical universal joint and when they start to go out or just go out they make a horrid clanking popping sound when you turn while in 4WD .
check the dust covers and make sure they are all covering the CV joint and if 1 is not then check this 1 first becasue most likely this is the culprit ,if niether is cut or popped off then just listen for which side makes the noise while in a turn and investigate

 

The noise only comes once the 4x4 is engaged and i turn the wheel If I'm driving straight, she's fine. I'll take a look at the CV joints and the fluid levels, maybe I'm missin something.

 

i have a week driverside front axle and it doesnt make a sound in 2wd but if it is locked in 4wd then it is starting to make a loud clicking noise when i turn but not near as loud as i have heard from front wheel drive cars with bad cv's

 

Right now it is winter and I have been driving around all day in 4wd and yes my truck makes the same noises up front when I am turning. You will be hard pressed to find a vehicle that is 4wd selectable and not have the front pinging while turning or at least lurching. I also drive a 1 ton f-350 (uhg) sander truck for the company I work for and it does the very same thing. In my opinion it is just the nature of the beast.

 

yeah, just wanted to make sure I wasn't f#$king something up. I'll check the CV's this weekend when I'm doing an oil change. How about those magnetic oil pan heaters, any one used one of those?

 

Sounds like you have 1 or both CVs blown....

 

Sounds to me like one of your cv joints may be shot. be aware that any cv or u joint will make noise if it is bound due to severe angles. If you go to a new car dealer and jump in a 0 mile 4x4 and trun the steering lear to the locks, it will make noise. Is your truck lifted? That could also cause severe binding of the cv joints.

My Dakota has 167000 miles on the original drivetrain and I run it in 4 high up to 65 mph in the snow. Old timers used to recommend running 4x4 in 4wd once a month or so(off road or low speed) to keep seals and bearings limbered up. I'm not sure if that is applicable with ifs or not.