Big click sound from 4hi to 2wd

I got a new rear diff installed. Maybe I'm making too big of a deal here -> How loud should the click sound be from 4hi to 2wd. There's no click going 2 to 4 - but when in 4hi and going back to 2wd the click there is quite a bit louder than I remember.

 

Different is not necessarily bad given the work you had done. But I struggle to figure out how rear differential work would affect the shifting in and out of 4WD?

But then again, what the hell do I know?

 

If your tires are not worn at the same rate, it will clunk very loud when switching back to 2 hi.

 

Most likely over thinking it.
Unless the driveline is in a state of slack when going back to 2WD, it will make MORE noise than when it went into 4WD.
I usually try to disengage 4WD once I find a nice level spot. Let my foot off the brake and let the truck "settle" to resting stop.
Then switch to 2WD. This typically helps it switch back into 2WD faster, and with LESS noise.

FWIW, You don't have to do it that way. You can switch back to 2WD while moving.
But, as you found out, it can make a LOUD "THUNK"......
Sounds bad, but it's really not.

 

I’m in and out 7 months a year up here. Damn sanded parking lots…
I make a game out of trying to get the transition to be as silent as possible, but have never messed with a complete stop. I get nothing but actuator click when I let off the accelerator, shift to neutral and switch from 4hi to 2. Level or downhill, 10mph or faster