When gear shifter is in D or R, and 2HI = moves 6 inches under the engines power. (Bound up)
When gear shifter is in N, and 2HI= moves 6 inches when trying to physically push it into parking spot. (Bound up)
When gear shifter in N, and transfer case in N (via 4wd push button)= I can physically push it around indefinitely.
This is a much better, cleaner description of what's happening - thank you.
Your transfer case command/control system seems to be working. So were back to pin-pointing the problem but regardless of whether it's transfer case or transmission, it appears to be some sort of major mechanical failure...
For your sake, hope it's the transfer case - those are a dime a dozen in junk yards and much cheaper (and more reliable) to replace w/a good used one. If it's the transmission, you're spending about $600-$1000 in parts plus fluid, line flushing, cooler cleaning along with the time it takes to overhaul the unit yourself...If replacing with a reman or having a shop go through it, that price can approach $3,000 depending on your local market and/or what you're paying for a remanufactured unit.= plus R/R labor.
Because he said it goes into gears like normal, and it'll start to move. In my experience (obviously not as much as yours) transmissions work or they don't. If the trans had failed it wouldn't drop into gear and it wouldn't move at all. Of course, I could be completely wrong...
Not if the driveshaft has bluetoothed it's connection inside the t-case...
Transmissions working vs not covers an extremely broad set of scenarios...For example, his transmission could have gear train damage such that it moves a few feet in D or R then binds/locks up. It could also have forward movement in Drive, shift from 1st to 2nd but no 3rd/neutral in 3rd (most common reason 4L60Es need overhaul is 3-4 clutch pack burn up)...He could also have sun shell fracture but would have 1st and 3rd gear, just no reverse, 2nd or fourth gear.
Of those three (out of countless failure modes where the trans would still move a bit but be otherwise non-functioning), gear train damage is the one that best fits this scenario but, admittedly, I would evaluate the T case first, now that I have a better understanding of what his symptom patterns are.
No clue about blue toothing the t-case or whether that capability would be available in a late 90s vehicle so will defer to your knowledge there.