NP203 making noise? or something else

[Adams74Chevy]

I have noticed that on the few occasions I've had to drive my truck lately that it sounds like a clicking noise when it's in gear is coming from the transmission/transfer case area. It is steady clicking but faint compaired to my exhaust so it's a bit hard to hear. It does seem change in speed depending on rpms. Am I crazy in thinking it's something inside the transfer case it's a NP203 that was converted to part-time by a previous owner. Or could it be something in the transmission or the flywheel? I mainly hope I can either quickly and cheaply fix it or be able to put it off until the spring since they're saying this winter is going to dump a lot of snowaround here.

[LONGHAIR]

I would definitely look into it, especially on a converted case. There is a small "torrington" type thrust bearing installed as part of the conversion process with most of the kits. It can fail, especially if the PO has not kept up with the lube/maintenance. If it does fail, not only are there rogue parts running around in there, you lose the "spacing" that it was providing. This can lead to a gear "clashing" of the planetary ring and the out-put for the chain-drive to the front shaft.
It is definitely worth opening it up, just for the peace of mind. It's only an hour or so to open it up.....and put it back, if there is nothing wrong. Could be very costly if it fails more spectacularly.

[Adams74Chevy]

I do need to pull it anyways to replace the output shaft seal on the transmission. Sounds like worse case I'll pull the NP203 out of my parts truck and throw it in.