FUJIMO

So so true

If it were me I'd carry my stethoscope so whenever and wherever it starts and if time allowed I'd pull over somewhere safe, pop the hood and dedicate 5 minutes to poking around under the hood. Being a V6 I'd at least try to narrow it down to which bank the issue is coming from. Putting myself in your shoes I went to the tube of you and found exhaust manifolds are HORRIBLE for that generation so it could be something rattling around like RED mentioned. Fuel injection systems seem to get a mention as well but not what I'd consider a major issue for those engines. Since it you can hear it in the drivers seat one can assume its on the drivers side of the engine bay but I've been fooled by resonating noises before. Looking at pics of the engine bay its has that friggin snow shovel sized engine cover so getting your scope right to the injector rail would probably be difficult. I would at least try to get as close to each plug well and see if any noise stands out. And I've been known to hit the creeper and have a look see on the bottom end although there are more knocks that ticks down in that dept. At least from my experience. Edited to add- I just assumed it was a v6 but after reading back through your post saw no mention of it. I'd approach/attack a v8 the same way.

I had one of those come loose while ½ way across the country. Drove me crazy lol

I was leaning more toward the fuel injectors, fuel rail, spark plug wires, coils, packs, etc. I'm not fluent in Toyota but I know I own a couple vehicles that have a distinct tick coming from under the hood that I've linked back to the fuel system and/or components of. I invested in a mechanics scope be able to pinpoint funny noises. Edited to add: I had a plug wire boot (insulator) making a similiar noise for a month before I tracked it down. It was intermittent and would go days without a peep then non stop for a day or two.

Is this what you hear as you sit behind the wheel ? Does it sound different if its a cold engine vs warm ? And does it change tone or rhythm if you increase rpm?

That was a Houston buy back program. You can bet that crew got a lesson on firearm identification afterwards

I'm sure you've been given a list of foods to avoid with moderate to high levels of Purine but thats where I'd aim if I was still having issues. There's quite a list of foods to avoid or at the very least limit in great portions or together. These foods increase uric acid levels and the purine in them slows the rate of your body evacuating the uric acid. Best of luck with it. Sounds like you've already overcame more than a lot of ppl I know when trying to manage it.

They are still around

This could not be more true. If you want a glimpse of how "out of touch" even your local Joe Schmoe county commission can be I encourage you to go sit in on a couple of their meetings. In recent years, at least here in my county, its turned into what I can only describe as "the cool table" in high school where we show up, stroke our peepees and crow about my latest fantasy league picks to each other. And the amount of money spent on stupid sh!t baffles me.

THAT is just awesome.

I just hope the contributing "woke" making it worse will migrate westward and NOT eastward. We got enough woketard here in the far east to deal with.

You got it ! I'll be watching for my commission check @221 Fireball

They must be wavy gravy kinds of cool because all jeep guys carry them strapped in various places . But like you I can remember using the tire iron/lug wrench/jack handle to change a tire on a 63 Chrysler Newport. One click at a time on pavement as hot as the weather we've had recently. You wonder if its picking up the car or burying that tiny foot into the highway lol. And if you weren't on a level surface may God be with you. Each crank the jack leans further to or fro lol. Good times !