I'm baffled... 1995 4runner

[dwighter]

I'm completely baffled...
I've a 1995 4runner with v6 (yeah, the gutless wonder)
Intermittently, it makes a really loud and heinous noise that sounds like you're driving down rumble strips... feels like that as well, a lot of vibration that almost seems to slow the truck down. It only does this intermittently, and more so when it's cold. It will stop if I hit a bump or apply the brakes hard.
Does ANYONE have a clue as to what this is?

 

[99blackSE]

I'd look at wheel bearings first, then after that perhaps the spindle bushings juding from the way you describe the sound. IIRC to check wheel bearings, jack tire off the ground, grab top and bottom of tire and wiggle back and forth while someone checks out the front end. If the wheel has play then your bearing is shot.