GRINDING, VIBRATION NOISE WHEN MOVING FROM A DEAD STOP!

Good day, Only hear/feel this noise when starting from a dead stop. No other time. Also, it is more pronounced when going up a hill or I have a passenger. Location seems to be below the cab. Hoping its u-joints or carrier bearing. Did a visual and tried to move shaft by hand - nothing significant.
Anyone have any ideas? Caught myself purchasing parts before I knew exactly what the problem is.
Thanks in advance,
mklaw
Tacoma, 2003, ext cab, 4cyl, 2.7L, 4wd, auto

 

I would also look for bad u-joints or carrier bearing or both

get it on a lift and in neutral where you can better tell if something is bad

if you don't have a lift then just pull out the drive shaft and properly check it when "unloaded" by anything

the carrier bearing should spin silently and not be raspy or grumble and side play movement should only be 1/4" or less

 

Thanks Keakar,
I will do just that. Will post what I find soon. Other posts I have read on this subject only mentioned noises and vibrations from the drive shaft after getting up to certain speeds.

 

Ok, I changed the front u-joint and the center bearing support and the noise/vibration is gone. Did not see any visible wear or either part. Bearings in the u-joint looked good other than being dry. The threads on the bearing support hanger were stripped. I had to re-tap them.