I've got a 1992 Cherokee with the AX15; relevant mods include f/r lockers, 4.56 gears 4" lift on 33's. All forward gears seem to work fine the Jeep drives strong. The Jeep will drive in reverse on flat road OK but if you give it gas or go up an incline it screeches (some tapping) pretty loud, last week on a trail I needed to reverse up an embankment to get turned around. Had to be in 4Lo, the thing screeched (as typical) but lost all power and it stalled the motor (even though I depressed the clutch as soon as the screeching started) and there was a little puft of white smoke. I tried it several times with the same result. Once I got turned around (50pt turn) it drove as it usually does - fine in forward gears, squeeling in reverse. What is going on?? Is it my tranny? My Transfer case? Clutch? I'm not seeing anything like this online...

 

Sound is coming from front of tranny / rear of engine area...