97 Toyota Tacoma SR5 V6 4x4 Noise in Transfer Case

Hello, I'm new in here and this is my first time to post. I found a 97 Toyota Tacoma SR5 V6 4x4 with automatic transmission and it has 171xxx miles now. I plan to buy it, but there is a noise coming from the transfer case and I don't know what's wrong with it. The guys told me he has not replace the fluid yet and he doesn't know what's wrong with it either. Please give me some subjections whether I buy it or not. Please answer my questions below:

1. What's wrong with it?
2. Is it a big problem to get it fix?
3. Can I fix it myself? I have a little knowledge of car but I never fix a truck before.
4. How much it cost to fix at the shop?

Thank you for your time. I appreciate for your help/subjection.

 

I need your help, guys. Do you have any ideas?

 

Diagnosing a noise over the internet is impossible.
Best bet is to replace the transfercase itself as a complete unit. You should be able to find a used one for ~200. Make sure it is from the same engine and trans combo that you currently have.

Swapping a transfercase should only take a couple hours on a weekend.

 

Ok, thank you for your subjection. I live four hours away from it. If I buy it, can I drive it home on the Freeway?

 

I can't say yes or no.
It's going to depend on what exactly is wrong.

 

Usually, can the truck is still drivable with a bad transfer case?

If possible, I plan that I'll buy it and I'll try to fix it myself when I get it home.

 

I am assuming you have not driven the truck yet ?
what is the owner saying the transfer case is doing / not doing ?
Does it make noise in 4 high or 2 high or both ?
does the noise go away at all after the transfer case warms up ?
Could be a bad bearing if I had to guess .It would be better if you could talk to the owner and break the diagnostic down . Noises inside Transfer case gearing powerflow are easy to diagnose once you know what gear makes the noise and when the noise goes away or diminishes .
Ask the owner to take it for a drive and report back .

 

No, I haven't see the truck yet. It's four hours away from me. According to what I talked to the owner and he told me, the truck still runs fine, but there is a noise coming from the Transfer Case and the 4WD or 4x4 is not working now (due to the Transfer Case is bad). I didn't know what you subjected/told me above so I didn't ask him, but I'll ask him for it and then I'll report back here.

What do the 4 high and 2 high mean?

It's too bad. I just texted him and he sold it yesterday evening.