So I did some wheelin the past week in the Outer Banks of NC. I noticed, and I have heard it in the past just finally narrowed it down, that when i shift into reverse from drive and start to give it some gas there is a pop in the front end. It sounds like its from the front diff or maybe the transfer case. Its loud other guys in their trucks can hear it, I can also feel the vibration/clunk in the floorboard. I also had it happen when i shifted into 4hi from 2hi while sitting still and then started to give it gas. I tried to be as light on the accelerator as possible to stop it, but still happens. Its almost as if the front end is binding, but im in deep soft sand, nowhere near hard pavement with lots of traction. I had a ford mechanic with me, he's a budy of mine and he wasnt too sure what it was. He was going to check with the guys at work who specialize in the transmission/transfer case etc.

Any ideas? I just hope not to hear "its normal" from the dealer, cuz it definately dosnt sound or feel normal.

 

Probably not normal because I have the same truck and this has never happened to me in sand. Keep us posted on what the dealer says.

 

I have a 2010 that does the same thing. It sounds like some gears slippin and trying to catch... kinda bothers me too

 

Yea it does sound like that. I got a ford mechanic budy who is going to look at it end of the week or next week, il post the results.

 

Just got back from the shop. We replicated the noise and the transmission specialist said it was something in the suspension 'shifting'. Sure enough, put it on the lift and several bolts were pretty loose. He said when its in 4wd and the front tires have a load on it, its making y the loose suspension shift. Once we tightened them up, I couldnt replicate the noise in the gravel parking lot in 4hi, so hopefully now its gone. And just to note I have a bds lift where the bolts were loose, but its still possible in the stock suspension if the bolts are loose, just less likely. Now to repaint the suspension components of my lift that are showing rust, wtf.