97 Tacoma likes to shake a bit, suspect motor mounts

Hello folks,

Been lurking a bit and having a hard time finding some of the answers I'm looking for. Hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Bought a new (to me) 1997 Tacoma a few weeks back. Gauge reads 108xxx miles, although it's become apparent the taco had a swap. VIN reads as a V6, but there's definitely a four banger under that hood. Doesn't concern me too much, it's clean and in great shape. Idles great (better after some seafoam and a tune-up), purrs, new radiator, etc. (suspect front end damage necessitated the swap).

Anywho, I'm wondering why she likes to give me a quiet rumble through the floorboards at about 65 mph in 5th, or when under a certain point of RPMs in other gears (couldn't tell you how many RPMs, cluster doesn't have tachometer).

I know it's not tires, and recently had the suspension inspected with no known issues. Other than some blown shocks.

Rumble is clear, but not awful. Seems to only show itself when under load.

I'm thinking it was a so-so swap, and maybe the engine/motor mounts were recycled, ignored, uninspected, etc. I've read the U-joint is a possible suspect, but I just don't know. The thing that really bothers me--less than the rumbling at high speeds--is the fact that the steering wheel and even the needles in the gauge cluster like to shake around a bit, even in idle. It's concerning and annoying because the motor is quiet and smooth, yet the cabin likes to shake around quite a bit.

Looking for a bit of advice. I've done a bit of work on this thing around home already, and I'm really not looking forward to dropping anymore money than necessary. It is a work truck, after all.

Any advice or past experiences would be much appreciated.

I should also note this is my FIRST Toyo. I've been a Honda guy, but needed a good truck for work.

Thanks and all the best!

-Ryvv

 

Yeah I was gonna say new tires and/or wheels, that's what did it for me. I was running shitty tires and a couple bent wheels for almost a year before I bought my new sets. They had me swerving and correcting like a madman on the highways doing anything higher than 65-70.

Other than that, idk... But you could use a bump nonetheless.

 

thanks for the bump. tires look good. still wondering what it might be.

 

My 5 lug (2.4l 4banger) shook slightly when it was idling and a tiny bit at high rpm's. I thought it was normal it was a manual of that makes any difference

 

yeah, mine runs well--shaking aside. idle though, is the smoothest of all. why so complicated taco?

EDIT: also a manual here. thinking an unlikely but possible suspect is the tranny mount. seems unlikely though

 

did you ever figure out the issue? My truck is having similar issues... Hoping it's not the motor mounts.

 

a loose carrier bearing will do that