I know it hard to diagnose things over the internet, but starting last week a bad wining noise started in 5th gear, then in 4th. Then all the gears up to freeway speeds. Driving home last night it was real bad, then it was screaming and the whole truck started vibrating. Got it towed home. Was able to drive it around my driveway and get it in the garage. It will go forward and back and shifts through all the gears(obviously standing still with the clutch in). When I drove it into my garage it it just felt like there was a TON of resistance and the truck felt like it was driving with Square wheels.(lol sorry thats the best way I can describe it...just think if I was driving along real slow and it going flop flop flop flop. externally everything looks fine. If this helps, when the tow truck put the ramp up trying to unload it and reversing the winch line, it wouldn't coast down. It was out of gear and e brake off. Something popped and it slid off a couple feet. Same thing, it siezed up, the tow truck driver played the winch line, it popped and was off. Possible seized diff maybe? It was hard to figure out were the wining sounds are coming from when you're driving it. Also how could I tell if it is maybe the transfercase? I would hate to put in a new tranny and it be a seized up bearing or gear in the transfer case. Any tips, ideas, advice? Im going to start saving now for a new trans. I would love a marlin crawler, but it might be to pricey. thanks for any help

 

Because the noises started in only in certain gears, I doubt it's the T case.
Have you tried putting it in 4WD and seeing how it does? What about 4 Lo?
Remove the driveshaft, put the truck in 4WD and drive it. It will be a little weird [your truck is now FWD ]. If you have the same symptoms, it's the trans/T case.
If you don't, raise up the rear of the truck and spin the prop shaft. You should feel any problems if it's in the diff.

 

driveshaft.

 

i mean u-joint. on the driveshaft. when you said driving on square wheels, sounds like a hellashisly seized u-joint. locate, replace, and grease every once in a while

edit: which could in turn, f*** up pinion and transfer output bearings, if not more

 

^
That definitely makes sense.
Pull the drive shaft off and check the joints.
They should each move smoothly.

 

thanks guys. i will definitely try all of the above. the only things is I remember replacing them about a year ago and have greased about twice since then. thank you

also, i work for napa auto parts. we sell reman transmissions, but when I look one up for my 87 4runner, it only gives the option, a G52 transmission. which accoring to Marlin crawler isnt the one i have. does any one know if it compatible?

 

thanks guys. I ended up removing the driveshaft. The u joints were fine, popped it in four wheel drive, and at low speeds the tranny sounded fine, but there was a bump bump bump sound coming from the rear end. probably blow 3rd member. Off to junkyard I shall go. Im not going to buy a new R&P set and set up kit when I plan on being at 33's this year. thanks for that advice.