Rainiers did not have 4WD.Is this AWD? Do you have the selector in A4wd? Sounds like your front axle is binding to me.
Didn't think so but just wanted to be sure.Rainiers did not have 4WD.
Have you checked your fluids for the front differential and transfer case? I would check and change the fluids to start. The transfer case fluids are suppose to be changed every 50K miles.
Its not stalling, a hard clunk then it stops.
I'm in process of changing upper ball joints, but as a new backyard mechanic, it's tougher than it looks, and can only do things when I get some other help. Thinking about changing diff and transfer case fluid.
This is an AWD Rainier