I have a 99 landcrusier is there any thing in the transfer case that will make the front diffrentual lock up ? it dose it ouick then is back to normal i have checked the front diffrentual after breaking the front axle could not finr anything wrong with it .it did it agin just after iinstalling anew axle was nothing to do with axle can not drive it because i never know when it will lock up

Someone will have to go under and check the linkage is working when the 4 wheel drive is fully engaged and not just moved to a neutral position.

Ford quit making the Ranger in 2011. The code refers to the transfer case and the motor that engages the front drive shaft may be stuck or it may be the transfer case control module. You can try tapping on the motor on the transfer case to see if the contact plate is the problem.

I need a bit more information I take it this a 4x4 cause when you talk about transfer case it means 4x4 and am I to understand you replaced the transmission and transfer case and tail shaft?

Are the front hubs still locked in?

If you have manually locking front hubs, you probably have a bit of binding in the drive train due to the front wheels being locked to the drive system

After unlocking the hubs, back up about 20 feet, then back forward about 20 feet.....see then if the transfer case can then be disengaged. You MAY need to just yank on the transfer case shifter while the vehicle is moving (slowly of course).....

I had an older ford pickup which did the same thing.....disengaging the hubs and just yanking the shifter had disengaged the 4 wheel drive then I was able to put it back into 2wh high.

Ihave the manuals for up to 99 but i don't think chevy changed the system ot 2000 . The unit is vacuum opperated and when the drive gear inside the transaxle is engaged the wheels will spin there is no locking hub involved in the system witch means the problem is coming from behind that system . Ineed to read somethings in the manual but the games are coming on so i will get back to you later to day with an answer And what else dose it or dosen't do reguard the 4 wheel what dose the shift indicator light indiacte and are you getting any codes there is a lot of wireing to do with the transfer case and how it interacts with the transmission

Your brake an CV joint issue can't an won't cause your 4X4 problem . The 4x4 system has a control module which supply's B+ voltage to the switch . Checking for codes in the 4X4 control module should have been the first step . Your best bet , take it to a qualified repair shop . You don't have the knowledge or test equipment to fix this.
SERVICE indicator (4WD/AWD) Lamp
The SERVICE indicator (4WD/AWD) lamp is an integral part of the cluster and cannot be serviced separately. This lamp is used to inform the driver of the vehicle of malfunctions within the automatic transfer case (ATC) system. The SERVICE indicator (4WD/AWD) lamp is controlled by the transfer case shift control module via CKT 1567.

Transfer Case Shift Control Module
The transfer case shift control module uses the VIN information for calculations that are required for the different calibrations used based on axle ratio, transmission, tire size, and engine. The system does not know which calibration to use without this information.
The direct battery supply line (CKT 1640) provides the power to the module and motor circuitry.
Transfer Case Encoder Motor
The transfer case encoder motor consists of a permanent magnet (PM) DC motor and gear reduction assembly. It is located on the left hand side (drivers side) of the transfer case. When activated it turns the sector shaft of the transfer case (clockwise or counter clockwise) to shift the transfer case. The encoder motor is controlled with a pulse width modulated (PWM) circuit within the transfer case shift control module. This circuit consists of a driver on both the Motor A and Motor B circuits. The encoder motor is bi-directional to allow the motor to shift the transfer case from 2HI or 4HI to NEUTRAL and 4LO positions.
Do you know what DTC'S are ?
DTC B2725 ATC Mode Switch Circuit Malfunction
DTC C0300 Rear Speed Sensor Malfunction
DTC C0305 Front Speed Sensor Malfunction
DTC C0308 Motor A/B Circuit Low
DTC C0309 Motor A/B Circuit High
DTC C0310 Motor A/B Circuit Open
DTC C0315 Motor Ground Circuit Open
DTC C0323 T-Case Lock Circuit Low
DTC C0324 T-Case Lock Circuit High
DTC C0327 Encoder Circuit Malfunction
DTC C0367 Front Axle Control Circuit High
DTC C0374 General System Malfunction
DTC C0376 Front/Rear Shaft Speed Mismatch
DTC C0387 Unable to Perform Shift
DTC C0550 ECU Malfunction
DTC C0611 VIN Information Error

There is a solenoid plunger that is screwed into front axle. Unscrew the plunger turn key on put into 4 wheel dive and verify that plunger is moving. If no movement you have to find out why. If moving, then front axle has a issue. Hope this helps.

This could be defective 4X4 actuator motor or jammed transfer case. Has the fluid ever been changed in the transfer case? if not that can cause the case to jam and not engage.

Depending if it is an ESOF ( electronic Shift on the Fly ) or MSOF ( Mechanical Shift on the fly ) :
Checking the fuses is always a good thing, but I have seen a few cases where the vacuum solenoid on ( by ? ) the front pumpkin is the cause of this. Usually this is cracked and causing the truck not to lock into 4 hi or 4 lo.

The 4x4 indicator on the cluster will not illuminate until the motor has turned in the transfer case, and the front shaft locks in place.

Could be a few other things, but start with the fuses and the vacuum solenoid on the front.

Sory to tell you but it sounds like the transfer case needs to be repaired or replaced. When they start making that noise they only get worse.