Ok, I have 1996 ranger 4.0, 4x4, 5 speed. I don't know if this has anything to do with the problem, but it's what was going on when all this happened, so I'm throwing it in. I was driving on the interstate messing around with my ac, turning the **** from hot to cool, because the blend door hangs up from time to time and I can sometimes get it to unstick. Well I could hear it clicking as usual, but this time I hit the dash right around the glove compartment with the palm of my hand. Then I pressed the gas pedal and the truck felt like it was neutral. It was still running, but no matter what gear I put it in it wouldn't grab, just felt like neutral. I came to a stop beside the road, and turned it off. I started it back and still nothing. I decided to try 4 wheel drive. Mine has the automatic transfer case, so I turned the **** on the radio bezel to 4 wheel. It then would pull out and would drive fine shifting through all the gears with no problem. So I went to take it out of four wheel, and I heard the usual clicking from the transfer case when it shifts, but it still drove like it was 4 wheel low. No matter how far I backed up and did all the usual tricks to get it out of four wheel, it still drove like it was in low. I got a tow truck ride home and messed around with it in the driveway and it still drives like it's in four wheel low. I jacked the rear wheels off the ground and they are the only ones moving. I left the front hubs unlocked and had a buddy watch the front driveshaft start turning when I turned the 4 wheel drive **** on, and then stop turning when I turn it back to 2wheel. I then checked the ATF level in the transfer case and it was completely empty. I filled it up and the truck is still doing this. Sorry this is so long, I didn't want to leave anything out, because this is my daily driver, and I could really use some help. I'll answer and all questions anybody has.