My 82 4x4 trans makes bearing type noise while pulling or backing off in any gear but is almost quite when cruising. It shifts smoothly in and out of any gear so I'm wondering if this might just be the input shaft front bearing that could be easily changed?

 

Did the noise just start? If so, was it after lifting the truck? Any metal on the drain plug? It could be the input gear but it can be other things as well.

I pulled my trans because it sounded horrible only when decelerating. Opened it up and found NOTHING wrong. Long story short, it was my drive shaft. I lifted my truck and even though the angles were good, it made this horrible noise when coasting. A double Carden shaft fixed it. So check for metal in your oil before you do something like I did. An input bearing just starting to fail may not generate much metal YET, so might be smart to swap one in if it's easy just as a preventive measure. Especially if it has a lot of miles on it. Make sure to get a Koyo, Nachi or a quality bearing like Timken. Chinese stuff is usually not so good.

Good luck with it and be sure to follow up on your post for other's in the future. Dead end threads suck.

Also, you should have posted this in the Pre 84 truck section. You might get more help there.

 

This noise was present as soon as I got this truck running. I don't know the mileage on the trans because I got it with a bad engine then did a body swap and used the 22re engine from the newer truck but the older 82 truck had been a mud truck so likely high mileage and run hard.I'll have to pull the engine or the trans to change the front bearing so I may just sell it instead.