thanks guys,
I did suspect 5th gear idle to produce gear chatter, but when my mates sierra does not do it, and the sound is similar to the running sound i second guessed.
The growl/chatter during operation happens all the time, 4wd hi/low, hubs lock 2wd, 2wd hubs unlocked. 4x4 works perfectly tanshi - other than making the noise that is.
2 issues - the noise : most notable 4th gear - 2500rpm-ish most notable tapers out a bit after - 1/2 throttle and more it makes this sound
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF966I3XjVo (ignore the two click noises at the end).
the vibration - high load low/mid rpm, like up a steep gradient first gear planted at 2000rpm - the transfer knob shakes and the whole car shakes and looking at it and feeling the car the frequency matches the transfer knob - but gearbox doesnt wobble...
all unis have been done except the gearbox end of jackshaft but it felt fine...
sounds like the noise is from transfer... but it screws with you because if you put your ear on transfer knob it sounds quieter than gear knob :S
driving me crazy