Rumble strip vibration suddenly started (yes I've been searching threads)

I have a 2005 2wd access cab that suddenly started a rumble strip kind of vibration. The vibration has a "solid" feel to it that I feel through the whole truck. It doesn't seem to come from any particular corner, front or rear. I've had the truck for 2.5 years and have driven it for 51,089 miles. The truck has 127k miles on it. It's all stock as far as I can tell.

It's always had rather noisy tires on it which probably masks some of the common rumbles and vibrations I've been reading about. I'm reading about drive shaft angles and transmission mounts but those don't seem to apply. Whatever the problem is came on suddenly.

At first I thought it might be a matter of ripples in the pavement, it has that kind of feel. Since it first started it's been constant and seems to be getting more pronounced. It only occurs when the truck is coasting or under very light acceleration and only between 5 and 10 MPH. If there are any new noises at highway speed I can't hear them because of the snow tires.

I've wondered in the past if there was a growl coming from the wheel bearings or the differential but I just can't tell. Until the weather breaks for good and I can get some quiet tires on it some of it's growls and vibrations are assumed to be from the tires.

I'll probably have my mechanic friend take a look at next week which is the soonest he can find time.

My main concern it having something suddenly going bad that might break on my 76 mile a day commute at highway speed. Does it sound like something I should be overly concerned about or just another annoying thing to put up with?

 

It depends. If it is as bad as you say, and its a bad wheel bearing or a u-joint failing, you don't have much longer.

 

I'm calling U-Joint(s).

If that puppy comes out at highway speeds it isn't going to be pretty for you and possibly others on the highway.

You need to have this looked at as soon as possible, it Could be dangerous.

 

This!

 

U-joint is plausible. 2WD U-joints don't have grease nipples, right? No regreasing after a decade might cause enough wear to do it in.

Other possibility is a damaged tire (aka "cupping" or "feathering").