Hello everyone! I’ve used this forum for a couple years since I’ve bought my truck to fix little things that have occurred along the way. This is my first time being on this forum as a member. I apologize if I’m posting in the wrong area.

I have a 2002 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4. Auto with the 4.0. Recently my truck started making a noise in the front end, and I had my buddies shop do a test drive, and the mechanic is almost certain the truck is stuck in 4H.

I’ve tested the motor on the back of the t case, and it’s fine. When I try to operate the switch from 2wd-4H-4L, it shows me all the correct lights it’s supposed to, and I can hear it switching through each gear. When taking it out of 4L there is a loud clunk.

Ive used 4H and 4L in the last couple months and it worked fine, each time I had it back in 2wd, I backed up a good amount to ensure it was out of 4wd. The thing that’s weird to me is that I just installed new extended shocks last weekend, and the truck wasn’t making any noise before. Now out of nowhere it’s making noise. I’ve checked the shocks to make sure the cv axles aren’t hitting them, and they aren’t. I’m super stuck on this. What could I test to find my issue, or does someone know the resolution to my problem?

Thank you tons in advance, 02stranger

 

Welcome to the forum, well first Post in the forum

2001 and up Ranger 4x4s have have Live Axles up front, so always locked, maybe that threw the mechanic a curve ball

When you drive in 4WD you should feel that its in 4WD in the way it steers when you are driving slow and turning, the front wheels are pulling you thru the turn, and that goes away in 2WD
So try that to see if you are in 2WD and 4WD
The dash lights are also a good indicator since they are activated by the Position Contact wheel in the shift motor, they are NOT connected to the dash switch, so not a switch position indicator, light only comes on when transfer case's shift rod has been moved by the shift motor into 4H or 4L position
(just a heads up, if 4WD lights ever Flash when you are selecting a new position that means shift motor is not moving, so blown fuse or bad shift motor)

You can also jack up the front wheels in 2WD, trans in Park, and try turning the drive shaft, if its stuck in 4WD then it will not turn, if it turns then its truly in 2WD
And at this time you can also check for the noise
Common issue on 1998 and up Ranger 4x4s was the new propeller joint used on the transfer case for the front drive shaft, these often failed, and made what was described as a "clicking" noise when driving
Also there are 4 CV joints, 2 on each wheel's axles, look at the boots for tears

Wheel hubs can also wear out and cause a noise

 

Thank you for the information! As soon as I am home from work I will try jacking the front up and moving the front driveline. I also should note that it is making a noise inside the truck when being driven, sounds like someone beating the bottom of the floorboard with a hammer or something, and can feel it in the steering wheel. I got under the truck and took the shift motor out so I could visually watch it, and had my grandpa flip the switch inside. The motor moved, and when I had took it off the transfer case the little key inside was pointed towards 2H.

Once again thank you tons for the information. I’m hoping I can get this resolved soon, I’ll check back tonight and give an update on my progress.

 

I think I may have found the noise. Truck is indeed not in 4wd. I have a video of where the noise is coming from and what it sounds like, hopefully I attached it correctly.