Rear end bang 2005 Tacoma

I searched for this and the only topic I found sounded like a different case than mine. Basically, every now and then when I start to move from a dead stop, or sometimes when I have a more sudden stop, I can hear a bang come from the back of the truck. My first guess is either the U-joint is starting to go, or maybe the rear drum brakes are locking up? It doesn't make any noise while driving or around corners, when steadily braking, or anything like that, just from a stop.

I also have an unrelated issue that is less bothersome, but maybe someone would be able to tell me if this is normal as I'm new to Tacomas. My truck has about 145k miles on it, and it seems that sometimes (especially when it's hotter outside) the truck feels like it's revving a bit before shifting into a higher gear. It seems to most frequently happen when I am trying to maintain a speed of 40ish MPH.

Thanks!

 

1. Axle wrap?
2. Gas tank sloshing?

As for the other part...
Some tacomas come with low transmission fluid from the factories. Might be time to get it flushed (dealer did mine for $150)

 

check the u bolts to see if they are under torqued, that could be the cause of the axle wrap. i have seen manuals state they should be torqued to 37 ftlbs (wtf) when it should be 73.
for the tranny thing as braik said might be time for trans flush and fill. also i think there were some model years that had a tsb for rough shifting where they reflash the ecu. not familiar with it though.
edit: and welcome to tacomaworld.

 

Awesome, thanks for the input everyone! Gives me some places to start.

 

I'm here for the rear end bang.


Do you 2nd gens have a slip yoke on the rear drive shaft? If this doesn't have enough grease, it can bind up during axle wrap on braking or acceleration and then pop loose.