Tacoma knocking sound

What’s up y’all. I’m new to this site but for a very specific reason. My Tacoma started to make a knocking sound this morning on my way to work. I have a 2009 2.7L 4cyl 2wd single cab Tacoma. The knocking sound only occurs when I drive… it doesn’t knock when it’s idling… I rev the engine up to 1,500- 3,500 rpm in park to hear anything but it all sounds normal. However when I go put it in drive and I get up to speed around 10-25 mph the knocking occurs. I do know what to do at this point. Help

 

Is it only when you are moving or at a certain RPM or load? If you let off on the gas but stay off the brake and at speed does the noise quiet down or remain close to the same? Does it follow engine RPM or speed more? If you stay at 25 or so and shift into neutral with your foot off the gas and brake, does the noise remain or go away?

You need to determine whether the noise follows tire rotation or engine RPM before you do anything else.

 

It only happens when I’m in motion. Even if I let off the gas and let the truck coast, you will still hear it. It follows more on the speed not rpm

 

Start with looking at anything that could have caught a branch, piece of road debris, wire, [or a smartass with zip strips] or anything that could hit or rub against something else. Check rims, dust shield [front rotors] rotors, brake caliper, driveshafts, U joints, pull rear wheels and pop off the brake drum, look for broken or loose springs or parts. If it's rhythmic and in sync with the drive train and not the engine, you have a good place to start and it's usually easier [and cheaper] then an internal engine issue.

 

Get under it and give your drive shaft a good shake.
And like @fxntime said, look for anything that looks out of place. Sometimes you get lucky and it's something obvious.

 

I went under the truck and did just that. I shook all around where the drive shaft meets the diff and transmission and everything felt solid. No play at all. But soon as I get off work I’ll look once more