A newbie needing help.
 

Hey everyone. I’m a newbie. Glad to be here. I am a 5+ year Navy veteran and a cancer survivor (hodgkins Lymphoma) and I am getting started back with my life again. It is good to be alive. Damn skippy..
Anyway I need your help. I tried the search and found a lot, but I am still lost. I have a 2003 Ford Ranger XLT, 3.0, 2wd reg. cab, auto/OD and I have the following issue:

Vibration felt in cab, seat and steering wheel at speeds of 45 - 60 mph
· NOT felt when brakes are applied.
· According to 4 different service shops the front-end components and brakes are good. The LH/RH lower ball joint boots are deteriorated but still good.

NO MODS TO DRIVETRAIN OR SUSPENSION ALL STOCK.
· Installed new Monroe shocks front/rear and new tires (BFG long trail 225/70R15) and balanced wheels. Vibration detected.
· Rebalanced wheels vibration gone. I was told I had one slightly warped steel wheel (original equipment) detected while balancing. I planned on getting new wheels but later when I had $.
· I had front end and alignment checked as a preventative to tire wear, all was good.
· Bought new Unique 298 steel wheels (15 x 7) $60 each and vibration returns I have wheels rebalanced. Vibration not resolved. My brakes were due so I thought this may be the culprit. Installed new front pads, rotors, greased front bearings and adjusted rear brakes. Brakes are good. Vibration not resolved
· Rebalanced wheels. Vibration not resolved. Rebalanced wheels again and I have the front end and alignment checked, all still good.
· I turned front rotors and greased bearings again (brakes feel great) and I know if it was the brakes I would feel while braking. I guess I was grabbing for answers. Vibration not resolved. Rebalanced wheels. Vibration not resolved.
· I had the drive shaft inspected and balanced at Drive Line Service of Jacksonville it was slightly out and U-joints checked well, no play. Vibration not resolved and seems worse.
· Returned to tire place complaining so they upgraded at no charge to me MB Motoring Blitz aluminum wheels (15 x 7) they would cost $91 each. They balanced them out and I hit the road again. Guess what???? Vibration not resolved. But wheels look sweet. I called the president at the driveline service and he wants me back with the shaft, he will rebalance it himself or replace at no cost.

Next I can check for torque converter shudder or engine vibration or I may try another tire place to rebalance. It really mimics an out of balance wheel. Oh is it possible rotors are out of balance? Wheels check well on machine but could they be bad when mounted on the rotors? Any suggestions welcomed?

driveshaft?
 

I had the exact same problems and it was the driveshaft.

Did you have it balanced or replaced?

I had to have it rebalanced three times berfore they got it right.

When did it start happening? Did it start suddenly one day, or have it built up over time?

I think it built up to it.