Hearing a ticking, grating sound from the front diff or tranny. Only under load and very low MPH. Also a bit more whine around 40 - 50 MPH

Don't know where to even begin...

 

For now I'd suggest you consider the noise at low speed as possibly an independent issue from the whine at higher speed. It's possible the noise at low speed has you more sensitive to other noises that maybe have been there awhile.

When you mention you only hear the noise when under load, what type of load are you referring to? Going up hill, hauling things, accelerating lightly, etc.?

Does the noise immediately go away if you let off the accelerator or apply the brakes?

Have you checked the fluid level of the transfer case and front differential?

Does the noise change if you go around a turn while still accelerating or doing whatever it requires to load the system?

If you happen to know someone with a Steelman ChassisEar, that will help you pinpoint the source of the noise.

-Rod