I have a 2000 Cherokee XJ. This winter when shifting into 4WD there is a fairly loud humming noise when getting up to 20-30mph (don't hear it in 2WD) and occasionally it doesn't want to shift out of 4WD (have to drive awhile or stop put it in reverse and then D again). I took it to a shop and while on the lift they told me there was very little power to the front wheels when in 4WD and I need a new transfer case.

I've watched some videos and swapping a TC doesn't look too bad (concerned about getting all the bolts loose though). I've found some fairly cheap TCs from parts vehicles locally and debating about trying the swap myself. While searching TCs, I noticed the linkage can be adjusted and/or replaced with aftermarket, like from Boostwerks Engineering. I'm not sure if I should start with checking the linkage? If I'm tearing it apart, I might as well swap the linkage, as an aftermarket seems like a better setup.

Any thoughts would be appreciated on what to try; what to look for, just go for the TC swap, etc. I just want my daily driver to be able to handle the snowy conditions in Minnesota. It only has 115K so want it to keep going for quite awhile.