so the background: 01 Ram 1500 5.9 auto - 130k miles - i had the tranny rebuilt about 5 months ago and have maybe put 1000 miles on the truck since then.

this afternoon head out to lunch and truck starts making a ticking noise once i get into the top end of first gear. as speed increases so does the ticking. when coming to stop, the ticking stops at low speed before coming to a dead stop

here is the kicker that is making me think it's the transfer case. i pulled into a parking spot, and the 4H light came on by itself with the shifter still in 2H. i shifted the truck into 4H and then back into 2H and that was that, but really not sure what's going on

i have checked the transmission fluid, and the it is above the max mark but the fluid is still red and no burnt smell. i don't have any tools with me to check the fluid in the transfer case

any thoughts?

i am still debating if I am going to try and limp the truck the 20 miles home, or catch a ride and bring the wrench/star key for the upper transfer case bolt in with me tomorrow

 

Sounds like one or both of the front axle ujoints is bad. As far as the 4wd indicator lite going on, I'd say you need to check the vacuum system for the CAD, Central Axle Disconnect. Start by checking the 2 hoses going to the shift motor on the backside of the passenger side of the front axle.

http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/..._engagment.htm

 

+1 on the u-joints going bad...my front driveshaft u-joints are going bad and i can hear them clicking all the time. i've been meaning to get them fixed...

 

thanks for the responses guys