2014 Silverado grinding feeling

[hbrady]

I have a 2014 Silverado regular cab 4WD work truck trim with manual transfer case. A couple of months back I grew tired of the AFM and shifting characteristics (harsh shifting). At that time I also noticed an occasional grinding feeling in the gas pedal (similar to feeling when traction control kicks in). Normally it was at lower speed when decelerating. I purchased an Range AFM lockout device and loved the way my truck drove (locked in v8), the harsh shifting and grinding was gone. Last week my 'Service Stabilitrack and Service Brake Assist' lights came on, turns out to be a common issue with the Range AFM device so I pulled it off to send it in for firmware update. Now that I've been driving without the Range device I notice that grinding feeling on almost every trip I take. Anyone else experience this? I know some trucks with auto 4WD had a similar issue but I have a manual 4WD.