Excessive play in front driveshaft

[wohlf 16]

Got an 01 ranger edge 4x4 5spd. I've been getting a popping noise out of the front end when I take off and when I shift into second gear. I grabbed ahold of the front drive shaft and it rotates almost a quarter turn either way before it catches. The pinion seal has a slight leak but nothing major. No spray on truck or driveshaft. I took the fill plug out and jammed my pinky in as far as I could and didnt feel any fluid. Bought some fluid and it almost took a full qt. of gear lube. Do you guys think the excessive play is from broke teeth on ring or pinion since it had been running on hardly any fluid? If you guys know how much play there is supposed to be, or have ever had this problem let me know. If my sh!ts toast I might have a build on here on how to swap in 98-99 pvh with lockouts in place of live front axle setup. Im sick of live and pvh from the 98-99 has a lockout kit.