[Simon Lacaille]

Bad news for my old friend.

When leaving a stop or red light, blipping the throttle, sound like automatic fire. (Or game card in kids bicycle spoke wheel.) Let go throttle pedal, it stops. Feather de throttle it doesn't make anything. But It's getting worse and worse.

Thoses 2, related or not but definitely present:

-Also, seem to have a mind of it's own about O/D, cruising at 50/60. I need to be polite and ask, but it's ok, he's old...

-Passing somebody downshifting. Oh man, not happy. Hard shift. Not doing this anymore, since STEEVE LEE bug out location seems to be my transmission bell housing. lol.

Pulling out the pan when I come back from rotation, to see what's going on.

 

[LUBECAKES]

The card in spokes description sounds like it could be cracked exhaust manifolds.
Your overdrive issue could be anything, but try this:
Make up 2 nice fat ground cables, like 6 gauge wire or something. Then attach both to your transfer case at one end. Be careful not to strip the aluminum threads! The other ends can go to your frame and exhaust. My OD worked much better after replacing the broken ground cable!

 

[Pork Chop]

Check your coolant overflow tank for evidence of ATF in the coolant. It will be a foamy crud clinging to the sides of the reservoir and the coolant will be milky. My cooler failed internally in the radiator and pumped coolant into the trans.

 

[Simon Lacaille]

I changed to the CF big alu radiator 2 years ago. The cooler went to vacation and the tranny had a few shots to celebrate. Tranny flush was performed by me and again stealership later on. I replaced upper and lower hose, serpentine, tensioner and thermostat while there was some space. Fun job with a few beer. Bust it again this winter when the **** it the fan, had it re-welded no problem. Fan cost more than new coolant and welder time.

Left Manifold was replaced under warranty (78000 K?) It started ticking again I don't remember when. Maybe it got really worse and it's throwing me off. Will check tho, but sound more serious than an exaust leak. Thanks for the ground wire tip. More than likely have this stuff laying around.

 

[LUBECAKES]

Ground wires a very important to modern vehicles with their fancy CAN systems.