groan/moan upon accel?

Sounds more like a moan than a groan
I'll see if I can take a video

Recently upgraded the clutch. CM HydroTOB, URD Stage 2, Torque-U flywheel.
Felt better, and quiet.
But, I could feel a clunk coming from my propshaft due to the worn carrier/center bearing (rubber) so I quickly removed it, placed the truck in 4HI to make it FWD
and dropped the propshaft off at a shop to have it rebuild. New Spicer U-joints, balancing, and they installed IEDLS Ford Ranger poly carrier bearing.

I currently have the carrier bearing bolted straight on, but probably need to flip it to achieve better angles due to DCSB. I'll take measurements of the old OEM carrier position and try to find spacers/longer bolts to mimic that ASAP.

However, within the last few days, I noticed a groan coming from the front area, maybe more left. Seems more temporary, when it's cold, first taking off from a stop. After 2 or 3 take offs (green light), I don't hear it any more.

Any idea what it could be? Anyone been through this?
No idea if another component randomly failed, or if it had to do with any of the recent work done to it regarding coincidence.

Ideas:
-another component possibly wearing out, like a wheel bearing
-driving in FWD for a couple days, even though I didn't beat on it, maybe damaged the front diff and/or transfer case, which have a low fluid capacity
-clutch issue, though I want to say I installed it properly, and mimicked stock/prior clutch positioning (which way clutch is facing and only appears to fit one way, etc.)

I'll see if there's a way to get under the truck and listen, or do it free spinning tires on a lift. I know I can't have a person hang underneath like Spiderman while I drive, and their back scraping the asphalt.

re: FWD: I know people who break something on the trail will drive home that way. I know they say keep it gentle, due to "low fluid capacity" and "these parts are not designed to operate that way/sustained"
However, I'd like to think they can handle it. For one, in winter snow/ice, I kept it in 4WD. No issue. Center locks 50/50 stock.
On the other side, 4WD (not FWD) still shares 50% of the load with a rear diff holding ~3qts gear oil, and in snow/ice means lots of good air cooling from low temp outside.


While I know the up/down angle is not ideal, I don't think there's adjustment in left to right. I'd assume that part is fine; the bushing, bracket, and bolt holes should be straight.
However, I've heard it's still worth measuring, and that it can be made adjustable by modifying the bolt holes in the top 1/8" plate (or whatever is used to mount it later on when it gets flipped with spacers)

TL;DR did you ever drive around in FWD, did it cause something to get damaged, and make a noise?

 

Curious as to why you had a ford ranger part installed. Front/left noise... might need to do the ecgs mod.

 

IEDLS common upgrade
ECGS done 1yr ago