2G Need help confirming Auto transmission is 97+

[TommyDSM]

I purchased a rebuilt transmission, transfer case combo that failed after 5k miles. I didn't verify if the transmission or transfer case were a match since I bought it from a buddy, that bought the car with it built and didn't have any issues when he drove it.

I checked the transfer case and by pulling the Side Cover and counting the Teeth. Which was 22, and doing the rotational line up it took 12 turns. So it was a '91-96 Transfer Case.

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As for the Transmission, the code on the transmission is W4A33-1-FNQ. Which I believe is '96-99. Since it was rebuilt, I can't trust it.
I pulled the back cover and counted the teeth on the front diff ring gear which is 71.

Can someone confirm that is 97+ Transmission and I have the wrong Transfer case?
Is there any other ways to confirm or is the 71 teeth on the front diff ring gear a 100% positive way of identifying.

I have seen post that stated "1990-1996 5-speed transmissions had 58-tooth front diff ring gear; 1997-1999 had 57-tooth front diff ring gear." is for manual transmission or am I counting the wrong ring gear?

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[DSMPT]

I pulled the back cover and counted the teeth on the front diff ring gear which is 71.

Can someone confirm that is 97+ Transmission and I have the wrong Transfer case?

71 is 97+, so you needed to match it with a 14 turn t-case.

didn't have any issues when he drove it.

It's because you "can" drive the car even you have a mismatched transmission/t-case until it breaks some component, most likely front or rear viscous coupling unit or so. You would probably feel the car to decelerate quicker (the car probably moves less distance by inertia than when you have the matched one), like similar when the brake is dragging or you forget to release the e-brake.