My 79 Macho transfer case seems to be having problems, I get a terrible vibration through the drive train when accelerating & trying to maintain speed sometimes. It also seems to be dragging bad, I have to give it more gas to get it rolling than it should and when I let off the gas it slows too fast. The hubs are cool after driving so it isn't brakes dragging. Is this normal? Any cheap solutions? I understand it's full time 4wd but should the front end buck and jump when I turn? It's in high, NOT HI-LOCK.

To me, your simptoms sound like front drive shaft CV joint is worn out. Under engine acceleration load, there would be a big vibration when the front shaft needs to be rebuilt. You usually can not just look at the shaft in the drive shaft postion to see if it's worn. You will need to remove it and check how the CV joint flexes. Felexing should be evenly loaded from one extreme to the other circular motion. If there is any sticking from one extreme to the other extreme in motion, the shaft needs to be rebuilt. After the shaft is removed, put the transfer case into high lock. Drive around the block and accelerate. If there is no vibration, you found the problem. Do not drive the truck in high lock for very long periods of time with out the front driveshaft. The transfer case has to have equal torque power out to keep things internally from wearing out prematurely.

That would be my guess too. My 97 wrangler had about the same symptoms and it was the rear cv joint. Not terrible 20 bucks for a new cv and an hour under your truck. Sometimes (or at least on jeeps, havent tried it on my power wagon) you can twist the drive shaft back and forth and notice a lot of play and tell if it's the cv but it would have to be totally shot to tell. Let us know if that was it.

I have a similar problem, w/vibration 40mph and up, right now actually on my '79... I've ruled out both driveshafts, and something in the front end.. No slop in ujoints in front axle but appears to be something with the bearings possibly.... So if your driveshafts appear good, check your front axle ujoints, and make sure your front bearings are good too, jack up and check for any wheel play... My luck it won't be simple, like a carrier bearing or something.... Good luck!

-Jim

Found out my problem, may be similar to yours, inner wheel bearing had a crack through the bearing carrier. Good luck!

-Jim