This morning on my way to work my truck started making a metallic thumping noise while driving. It seems to do it only while under load. If I'm off the gas pedal, the noise stops. Same noise and speed in all gears, and the noise gets faster or slower based on my speed. Definitely coming from the tranny/transfer case area. Maybe something in the clutch? Not sure if I should even try to drive it to the shop to get looked at?
Anyone had this same thing happen before?

 

Check the u joints and anything loose in the drivelines.

 

Thanks. I'm going to try to get under it at lunch and see if I can see anything obvious.

***Checked the u-joints and the center bearing, they all seem tight.

 

Well, it turns out the noise is coming from the rear diff. Something inside is not where it's supposed to be.
Curious to find out what it is.

 

Can't be good. I had a bad seal once that let diff lube get on my brakes, that made a funny clunking noise (when stopping though)! Hopefully it's something simple like that and not a diff issue!

 

BAD NEWS.
It's the ring/pinion that's gone on it. Been quoted $1200 bucks to replace them, the bearings, the carrier bearing and put it all back together.

 

Now would be a good time to think about a locker.

 

Rovers....if you're handy, you can pull a diff yourself - check out the link in my signature....hell if I could do it anyone can!

You've also got bigger tires (I have 32") and the same lift as me - I'd look into upgrading your R&P to a lower gear ratio (higher number). 4.88 gears seem like they would get you back to stock RPMs/acceleration with your setup...that's what I'd get with mine if I had to replace the rear end.

If you 4x4, you'd want to match the gears up front BTW!

You can get new R&P plus get the gears set up for much cheaper than the shop is quoting you - and install them yourself.

 

I agree that it's easy. I tore took the axles out of a donor diff I bought, took the 3rd out, popped my axles & 3rd out and had my diff back together in under 5 hours. Shops here quoted me anywhere from 4 to 7 hours to do it at $110-125/hour.

 

Yeah - it took me a couple nights after work by myself - the 3rd is HEAVY - but if you have the time, the space and basic tools, totally do it yourself and save the coin.