No change with direction change would rule out CV joints.

A couple inches is pretty significant rotation. If it is really that much then it may be worth dropping the inspection plate off the Tcase and see if you can see anything wrong internally.

 

Alex,
What would I be "looking" for specifically? I've never been in a LR Tcase so this will be all new to me. Are there any telltale signs (?) of problems (outside of obvious broken stuff or loose components? Is there any procedure while I'm in there such as operating the shift lever or such? Just wanting to be better versed while in there. I assume it's a drain and refill obviously (wish I hadnt just done all that a couple days ago) If I see anything out of the ordinary I'll do my best to take photos and/or video. Thanks for all the help and advice. I was ready to give up on LRD's altogether but she may just stay around forever now! (we have been together almost ten years, so ...)

 

This is starting to sound like transfer case.

 

Some of the information is contradictory, so let me explain the reasoning for the questions:

1. If the noise changes tempo with engine speed as the truck shifts gears (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) then the problem is between the engine and transfer case.
2. If the noise does not change tempo with engine speed but does increase with vehicle speed then the problem is between tc and wheels.
3. If the noise is not present in neutral revving the engine, than it is not torque converter forward i.e. engine to torque converter.
4. If it does not make the noise with truck coasting in neutral then likely not driveshaft/wheels related.
5. If it does it in one range of tc and not the other, the issue is in tcase.
6. If it does it throttle on, but not throttle off, or vice versa I would look at driveshafts, tcase, or axles as those are the most likely places for load affects.
7. If you do the jacked up test, only one set of wheels and driveshafts will spin, helping to isolate to front or rear.

Help your consulting team by posting a summary every 2nd or third post so we can refresh our memories of all the symptoms.

 

SO... I'm still stumped. I jacked the front end up and played with every possible scenario and to no avail. Nothing. No noise. I then did the same thing for the rear end. Same results, nothing.However as soon as i pulled it out of the garage and put it in drive, there it is. Its loud. I am next going to open the tcase inspection door and see whats there to see? Not sure what I'm looking for exactly except for the possability of obvious carnage.

 

Provide an answer to each question above, let's see if we can narrow the focus.