Transfer case problems! Help!

New to the site. I hope I can describe the issues I’m having and maybe get some direction.

I’ve got a 2000 Tacoma 4x4 3.4L TRD manual transmission w/ rear diff lock. I went to take off from a stop sign and almost immediately felt and heard grinding in the floor board. I depressed the clutch and coasted to a stop...but the grinding continued until I came to a stop.

I shifted to neutral and let it idle for a minute. I then put it back in gear to move again and as soon as it engaged there was the same grinding.

I crawled underneath and nothing obvious. Double checked and made sure I was in H2. Nothing out of the ordinary. Grinds in reverse also. While in neutral, and when I’d push it, it still grinds and acts like it’s still engaged. Or at least partially engaged with grinding.

it appears the noise is coming from my transfer case. Thoughts?? Thank you in advance.

 

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