my 96 Disco 1 has gotten extremely slow to pick up speed and much noisier. The engine seems to be struggling to transfer power to the wheels. Transfer case is in high as it should be. . Also the shifter shaft seems to get extremely hot to the touch.

Any clues or tips?

 

First do you have codes ?

Is the check engine on?

Oil in motor, exhaust leak ?

If you have no codes then you need to start at the fuel pump
and see if it has pressure.

Look for vacuum leaks after the mass air flow sensor.

Plug wires that have come off, loose spark plugs.

Do you here a rattle from the cat's?, could be plugging up.

The shifter will get hot but if its to hot to much fuel burning, pluged
cat's.

Most things will set the MIL CEL if its not on it will be something
that the ECM does not regulate but if it goes on to long you
will have cascade effect,