I think it might be part of the gears in the rear most tcase that might have broken off due to the amount of centrifical force from the v6 that has the gears over toqued and has them slinging around inside of the case as you drive
sounds like a cracked piston to me, gets worse over 20 mph, ?? wrist pin slap
i could be wrong, but thats what it sounds like
pull the drain on the transfer case, if chunks come out i was wrong