97 Tacoma AT 4x4 with hub locks not working

Hi everyone, been using this site for awhile but had a few questions so finely made an account.

Problem

1997 AT tacoma 4x4 with locking hubs has lost 4HI and 4LO.

I have checked both hubs and they lock and turn FDS when spun.

TC is top shift chain drive. (3RZ-FE A/T)

does anyone have any experience getting into the case without dropping the tranny?

I'm going to drain the oil tonight and check for metal and see if the chain looks ok. also pull the shift and see if the fork locks.

 

I'm no expert with TC's, but I have replaced a gear-driven one in a hi-lux.
What are your exact symptoms?
Is it possible that the front diff pinion might be stripped?
Have you verified that, with the hubs in 'free-wheel' and TC in 4WD, the front DS does not spin?

 

thanks for replying

hubs unlocked, 4wd HI and LO, wheels spin without any movement of FDS.

hubs locked in, both 4wd, FDS moves free and spins front tires. (thats not right im guessing)

first thing i checked was the hubs...

im thinking it has to be something in the TC.

ive come across two real old posts (5 years plus https://www.tacomaworld.com/members/chewmanfoo.37412/) where it was a broken fork pressure pin, which im really hoping for at this point, considering it could be a snapped chain, stripped sleeve/sprocket, broken shift fork, or really anything else in that damn box.

the guy (chewmanfoo) mentioned accessing the TC from the rear and finding the broken pin, but i couldnt determine if he had to drop the whole tranny to make some wiggle room.

im wondering if its possible to disconnect the rear DS and pop the case open without all that.

thanks again,
Jack