I have a 93 4runner 3vze 4WD, It runs great, smells great and tastes great, BUT why do I hear faint intermittent metallic clicking during acceleration?

Lets see if I can express it through text,
Captial letters accentuate sound level.
Hmm is the normal engine rev
while driving i hear

hmmmmmmMMMMMMMMMMM (first gear)
hmmmmmmMM tic MMM tic MMM (second )
HmmmmmmMM tic tic tic MMMM (Third)
HmmmmmmM tic Tic Tic Tic MMM (Fourth)
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm (Cruisin')

What is this?
Why does it happen?
What can be done?

 

If its a tinny sound check your exhaust. Just grab the tip (cold) and shake it and see if you can recreat the noise.
Also check your u joints.
Just a couple things to check.

Good luck

 

It is definitly coming from under the hood, I took the hood off once to clean some mud out of the engine bay once and thats when I first noticed it, as i was driving to the carwash. I have actually already checked the exhaust and the rubber bushings are holding it pretty stable.

What am i looking for when cheking the U-joints? they look clear of debris and old, what are some red flags to look for?

 

You can look for powdered rust by the caps. Also you can grab the drive shaft and the yoke and give them a twist. You are looking for invidual movement. If you can see movement in the caps at all, they are bad. Look for the rusty powder first in the daylight.
Good luck