2004 silverado crew cab z71 4wd front tires don't engage

I replaced my 1996 Silverado 211k (running perfectly) with a 2004 silverado with 70k on it (2 weeks ago) and launched my boat in a sandy area and my front axle would not engage in either auto, 4 high, or 4 low. The selector switch indicator seemed to function properly by blinking and then remaining solid in each selection. I could hear the rear differential sound of it engaging, but the front tires remained still. After burying the truck I got pulled out and of course fished all day and caught zero walleye. I then got stuck again removing the boat while trying every four wheel drive selection that I had and all selector switch light indicators seemed to function properly. I ohmed the two 4wd switches that I found and they were fine. I then searched online and was clued in to the front axle actuator to be suspect and then decided to replace it. When I got the new actuator and compared it to the old actuator the inside piston looked eccentric to the outside guides so I took pictures of the old and new to compare and the old one looked concentric. The front axles still don't engage, I guess my next step should be the one that I skipped of testing to see that the actuator extends. Any tips on testing the actuators or anything else would be appreciated.