I have a 1995 ford ranger 4.0 automatic transmission when I put my truck in 4 wheel drive and start moving forward my front tire makes a repeating loud thudding noise. Any help would be great!!!

 

I had the same problem. Same truck. I would take tires off make sure there is grease on the gears. Put in two wheel and go in reverse for at least 20 yards. Sometimes that puts in back in gear. Than put it in 4wd low, for a little ways than 4wd high. Make the gears work there way in. Its like the A/C you dont use it for a few months it gets rusty!

 

You may have a failing U-Joint on one of the front axles

Diagrams here: https://therangerstation.com/tech_li...8Rebuild.shtml

Each front axle has a u-joint so you can turn and each wheel can move up and down separately, independent front suspension


If you said there is a "clicking noise" then I would guess one of the hubs are not engaging/locking

But the "thud" or "cluck" would be a u-joint, same as if it happened on rear drive shaft u-joint
And could be front drive shaft u-joint, so check that first

You have to pull the hub to change axle u-joints so plan on doing ball joints at the same time