Needle Bearing - Odd Symptom?

I apologize in advance if this seems painfully obvious, but my research has me going in circles.

After fixing several things I’m starting to think these symptoms are needle bearing:

Symptoms:
1. Shudder upon take off 0-10mph
2. Vibration at highway speed
3. Almost feels like left driver wheel is loose at higher speed(it’s not)
4. All seems to go away when I drop it into 4hi EXCEPT #5
5. Loud click/clunk type noise from left driver wheel when hitting a dip at 15+mph

Mods and fixes:
3” lift (882)
285/75/16
Diff drop
Rear shims
CVs rebuilt
New upper BJs
Washers to drop CB <1”

The shudder at take off had me thinking it was driveline. But doesn’t seem to ever go away unless I go 4hi. Car feels smoother on highway in 4hi but not perfect. Could be diff drop?? Any guidance is greatly appreciated!!!

Pics for fun, because I still love this bucket:

 

4hi as in 4x4 or 4th gear? 5 speed manual trans? 4cyl or v6? What needle bearing are you thinking? The front diff?

 

Have you jacked it up and checked wheel bearings?

 

I have the same issue. Coasting down from 40 on a smooth you almost feel a pulsate on the left side or shudder.

My verdict is the needle bearing and replacing with the egs bearing I believe it’s callwd.

Just haven’t talked the task due to not being a reliability issue

 

Sorry, yeah 4wd. I read on here that was a test for the needle bearing.

When I say needle bearing, I'm referring to whatever that piece is in the left diff that the CV shaft slides into; that ECGS sells the clam shell fix for.

 

Not yet, but I don't think its that as I don't have that bad grinding feel that I've had with past wheel bearing going bad. I could be wrong though.

 

Yeah I think its the same thing, but after thinking it was so many other things, I hope I can be at least kind of certain before spending more money. Mine doesnt happen when coasting on decell. Its really noticeable on take off, and then subtle but noticeable at highway speed. Super annoying. If I can fix this, this truck will be close to perfect.

 

Might try this in addition to ECGS Clam Shell Bushing:

http://stores.streetacos.com/carrier-bearing-bracket-1-1-2-95-5-04-tacoma-4-lower-rear-lift/

I do have quite a lot of lift in the rear. Probably 3.5" give or take

 

This man gets it. I have the same issue as you all and that’s what I’ve narrowed it down to. I haven’t tackled the task either due to it not hurting anything. I just drove it and continue on.

 

I hear ya, but it kinda feels like something is gonna break eventually

 

Trust me, I understand fully. My taco is my garage queen and it’s paid off with about 20k sunk in it. I drive it only when I’m kayaking, pulling my 20’ bullet bass boat, or hunting.

 

Yea it’s more of an annoyance. Not a hard job based of videos but I debate to myself if Toyota didn’t engineer a spider bearing vs people claims on saying the fix is just as reliable

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXIfHArtvF8

 

Yep it
Needs the bushing