Okay, so I've got a bit of a problem. The other day I was driving out to the middle of nowhere to do some fishing. Everything was going smoothly until I turned down the gravel road toward the pond I was headed to. As soon as all four tires hit the gravel, I head what sounds like a grinding noise. At the time it sounded like it was coming from my front end. I parked the truck and got out to see if anything was out of place. Nothing looked wrong, so I got back in to see if it kept happening. I drove it down to the pond with no extra noise. I fished for a few hours, got back in my truck and went to drive off. As I pulled out onto the highway, it started doing it after about a mile. This time I was certain I wasn't crazy. I got under my truck. Looked to see if anything was out of place. Nothing looked inherently wrong. I shut the truck off, started it back up and started moving again. It didn't make the noise at first, but then after about half a mile it started back up. It sounded like my transfer case grinding. (My transfer case isn't in great shape, and if you done finesse it just right it'll let ya know.) I figured maybe it was left in four wheel drive because I let my dad use it to move a truck around in the backyard. I stopped again, cycled through 2h, 4h, N, 4l and then stuck it back in two high. Backed up and made sure my hubs were unlocked. They weren't locked to begin with. I started driving again and the noise quit. I drove it back home with no further noise. Then this morning as I'm going to work, it was completely silent under there until I got off the interstate. When I took off from the first red light, it started doing it again. It did it for another two miles or so before I made it to work. I lifted up my "boot" on my transfer case shifter, and it definitely sounds like it's coming from there or my driveshaft or somethin in that area. What do you guys think I should look at? It's not the original transmission or transfer case. I have an 89 f150 with a 351w, and it has a 1984 c6 transmission and I'm not sure exactly what type of transfer case. I just need to know if any of you have any sort of input on it because I'm completely stumped.

 

Sounds like transfer case isn't staying in gear. Manual shift ? or electric ?

 

It's a manual shift.

 

Okay, quick little input. I'm almost positive that you're right about it not staying in gear. This morning I put the transfer case in what SHOULD have been neutral, then put the truck in gear and I could still move.

 

Borg Warner 13-56 case? Most likely shift fork failure, not unlikely that the oil pump failed already. It's quite likely it will soon get stuck in neutral, and you won't be going anywhere. They're not difficult to rebuild, but running around without a functional oil pump can make it not worth rebuilding. At that point, a good used case is a good option. Just crack it open to replace the oil pump & both shift forks, & do an oil pump retainer mod. Be good to go then for a couple hundred bucks. Likely no need to replace the chain, they're pretty stout for a half ton.

 

I'm not at all sure what case it is. I didn't put the transmission in it, my dad did. It used to be his truck. We found a used t case for $350, and I should be getting it tomorrow.

 

Well after looking at your case, and a little Google work on you can figure it out pretty quickly. The t-case is different from the transmission too.

 

$350!? Ouch. You're in Mississippi and that's what t-cases go for? Round here (FL) they are $130 all day long at the yard. You sure you can't find a better deal?

Either way, you would be wise to crack open your new used t-case and do the oil pump retainer mod. That will make sure it lives a long happy life.

 

Yeah, I've been told $350 is pretty steep. I can't really afford to have my truck down for any longer than like a day though. I work Monday through Friday, and I've got no other vehicle available. I'd love to get one for cheaper, but right now this is the best option. According to the guy we're getting it from, it's apparently a damn good case. I'm hoping he isn't pulling my leg on this either.

 

Oh, and also another little update. We came to the conclusion that it sounds as if the chain in it is coming apart. It's an NP208. It's also over 30 years old, so it was only a matter of time before that happened to it.

 

Did t case fix your issue ?

 

Transfer case did indeed fix my issue. That thing nearly came apart under my truck. Bolted the new one on, and all problems have been solved.

 

Good deal. Did you tear into the old case to see the problem? I'm curious what specifically failed with it.

 

I did not tear into, but I definitely still have the opportunity to do so. It has just been riding around in the back of my truck since last week when I swapped it out. Could be time to tear it open.