i dunno about these trucks, but i had 99 ranger with the electric 4x4(which i will never go back to by the way), and the transfer case motors were notorious for failing. buying a new motor could usually be avoided by taking the motor off the case, taking it apart, and cleaning it all out. there gets to be some decent carbon buildup on some of the contacts. in addition, it is good to cycle it in and out of 4x4 ever now and then to keep things freed up.