electrical and 4x4 problems 88 S10... HELP!

[smithmachine]

Just picked up a sweet little 88 pickup. it has a few "issues" that i was wondering if anyone had run accross...

PO stated that the alternator had "blown up" and that since then the gauges havent worked right and the lights in the dash have been a little funky. The stay dim and everything is slightly lit. Major power fluctuations when blinkers are on.

4x4 is not engaging either. PO said it was probably the vacuum canister, but i cannot confirm that. When you pull up the stick to engage, nothing happens. I wondered if it could be related to the electrical trouble as well.

Any suggestions or wisdom are greatly appreciated. You guys haven't failed me yet!