Life was good until last week when strange grinding sounds from under the jeep started. This week sounds turned into bad vibrations.

No alignment changes so don't think it's pinion angle vibe - worried it may be transmission or transfer case?

Anyone had this before?

 

Sounds more like Driveshaft issues. Have you taken a look at 'em?

 

yep - have JE Reel's. nothing is loose, wondering if the U-Joints are binding.

 

maybe you could try takeing out a driveshaft and roadtesting to try and narrow down the noise that way

 

yeh, planning to unhook the front, weekend can't get here fast enough

 

forgot to check cardan joint at transfer case on front driveshaft - the ball was trashed. now have a 2WD while parts are ordered.

thought i would get better gas milage with a 2WD but no difference.

 

You would still be spinning the diff etc, the driveshaft wouldnt really add any loss, but people with manual hubs even say they dont save much fuel unlocking the front hubs, you just save wear and tear on your front axle and driveshaft.