Problem with Sputter/Squeak on Manual Tacoma

I could use some advice from the forum. On Friday I was driving my manual transmission '11 Tacoma (4x4) when I noticed a high squeaking sound when shifting between 1st and 2nd or between 2nd and 3rd. Squeaks both shifting up and down, and is much worse when the engine is under power, such as when I'm accelerating up a hill (I live on a steep mountain and its worst climbing up to my house). I don't seem to be losing power, and no check engine lights have come on. I don't hear the sound at all when shifting at highway speeds or when the engine is under relatively low power (such as on a flat). The noise seems less bad today, Sunday, than on Friday. Now the noise is also less of a high squeak than it was an more of a sputter, but again, I only really hear it when the engine is under a higher load, when the clutch is in, or as I'm letting the clutch out. I've gone several different directions in my own thinking on this, but I'm thinking it comes down to the manifold/exhaust, the throttle, or perhaps even a very early transmission/clutch issue. The fact that there is no engine light on makes me doubt that its a cylinder/spark issue. Any suggestions or advice would be very helpful. Thanks.

 

I'm guessing that this is the infamous Tacoma throwout bearing starting to go bad. What do others think? Since I have 63K miles, I guess I should just replace the clutch too as insurance . . .