growling vibration in front left side

I have a growling vibration with some slight steering wheel shake. It's as if the transfer case is engaged but it's not. The growling vibe is constant whether its in normal 2wd, 4wd, and neutral.
the noise goes up and down with the speed of the truck. (I put it in neutral and coast the noise slows down with the truck). I replaced the tires, rebalanced 4 times then the tire shop replaced the tires with a different style. Took to a local reputible shop, they said they can't figure it out but the cv joints and bearings are all good. Told me to take it to Toyota to see if they can pin point it. I read it could possible be the needle bearing but other threads say it will go away in 4wd if it is. My issue is there all the time no matter gear, 2wd, 4wd or neutral. I put Blistein 5100 shocks on the truck 3 yrs ago and the setting for the front is set for 1" lift as I put tires on that were 1" higher than stock. Also had a western plow on the front for couple of winters.
Can any one chime in that had this exact experiance ?

 

How were the bearings checked? Mine were deafening loud and you couldn't tell, even off the truck. I could still spin the wheel by hand with the truck lifted off the ground, and there was zero movement when I was pushing and pulling on the wheel. Trying to turn the new one and the old one by hand off the truck were both relatively hard, i couldn't have noticed a difference. The new bearings was silent in comparison.

 

They tested bearings like you did plus put it on the lift ran it in 4wd while listening with a stethoscope, also drove it

 

I have a similar noise on my taco I have been chasing for the last few months. Rotational noise that is constant and sounds like a metal on metal skim. I replaced my front wheel bearings, balanced my DS, checked dust shields, ect but I still cannot figure out what the sound is. Did you even figure yours out OP?

 

I replaced the driver side wheel bearing and resolved the growling and the shimmy in the steering wheel. Sounds like the only thing left to check on yours is the needle bearing on the driver side in the transfer case where the cv joint goes in

 

Front Differential, not Transfer Case (prolly just a brain fart, no big deal). But yeah, the ECGS bushing is a possible upgrade/solution.

 

Yup, brain fart while multi tasking lol sorry about that but yet front diff. Good luck to ya

 

needle bearing was taken care of ages ago when I regeared and double locked the truck. I did bend my front axle extension tube this summer and replaced it with another extension from a used parts dealer. (see my post: tough day on the trails 2x cv) I am worried it is either my t-case or the other needle bearing that is on the pass side inside that extension tube. I had my RCI t-case crossmember skid fail at the welds, crash into the t-case and push the case into my tunnel. There is a small witness mark on the tunnel where the case hit the tunnel, but it isnt touching the sheet metal, it sprung back. It could be a few degrees out, causing the drive line angles or the output shaft and bearing to be pissed off. I have tried to get a recording of the sound but it doesnt show up on video.

 

Probably bearings but I would also check the cv joint