Hi guys, first post here but long time lurker.

My 92 standard 4x4 has been "clanking" upon shifting. If I am extremely careful when I shift, and don't allow any load either up or down it wont clank (so I assume its somewhere on the drivetrain). The clank has gotten louder over the past few weeks, and yesterday It started rattling/tinking around 3rd gear. The noise gets worse when there is more load (like up a hill or accellerating decently). I'm not much of a mechanic but it sounds a hell of a lot like a drive shaft/U joints. There is absolutely no noise in neutral as I rev up, and the engine sounds and runs great. I got under there and wiggled the front drive shaft by hand. Theres some play as while as the same clanking noise. The sound seems to be coming from where the shaft connects to the transfer case. But whats confusing me is that its clanking in 2WD, and the rear shaft seems to be fine. 4WD works great. However, it feels strange when I shift into first, almost like there are two 'clicks' to get it into gear.

Any thoughts/help is greatly appreciated!

 

It might be you U joint. Go under your truck grab the shaft and shake back and forth it should not move much. If it does you should see where the play is exactly.

 

Turns out the rattle around 3rd is the throw bearings on the clutch, the shifting problem is because the flex plate is warped and master cylinder wont depress fully, and the clank is a loose U joint. Lol.