it's in the motor. and if you're replacing it, you replace all of your rod bearings and main bearings, and consider a new oil pump.

that technically doesn't require dropping the trans..but if it's a bearing issue, you're better off removing the motor and inspecting it and doing a full seal kit on it.

 

If it was the main bearing or any bearing in the motor wouldn't the noise occur all the time and not only when the trans was engaged but goes away in neutral or park? I'm not questioning your expertise or anything I'm just new to this all and curious and trying to learn.

 

Just tried something...after shifting the transfer case out of 2WD and putting it in neutral, I put the transmission into reverse and drive and there was no whining noise at all. Does this information change anything? I'm wondering if maybe the noise is actually coming from the transfer case instead, it was pretty loud under the truck with the exhaust when I was trying to listen to where it was coming from. I also noticed a grinding when I shifted the transfer case from neutral back to 4WD but than no grind from 4WD to 2WD.

 

I'm just giving you my theoretical ideas....you really don't have enough info here.

 

What other info would you like? I'll do anything I can to get more info to help out figure out what's going on here. If it was a transmission issue would the noise still persist when the transfer case was in neutral and the trans was shifted to drive or reverse or anything?

 

Well guys just wanted to follow up and let you know that before I even had a chance to check the torque converter bolts the noise has gone away. I will still be checking the torque converter bolts to be on the safe side. Thanks for everyones help!