Engine Ticking when accelerating

Recently been driving and hearing ticking coming from engine when accelerating don’t know what it is only happens when I accelerate higher than 2,000 rpm and when I cold start the engine when it’s in idle is sounds fine only when I accelerate higher, also has trouble gaining rpm’s

 

My truck ticks. There's been several conversations/rant sessions on here about ticking, and it usually follows someone running the truck with the hood raised, or as the ticking gets louder in the cab when the steering shaft seal fails, as is posted in this info thread - search the page for "tick" and you'll get a link to the thread on how to assess and fix the steering shaft seal.

I'm not as familiar with the VVTi-equipped V6 on your truck and the quirks, since most of the info available caters to the V8 crowd. But several members have a rhythmic ticking sound that increases with RPM. We know the injectors tend to make a tick sound, and at least on the earlier models, the exhaust manifolds tick, crack, bolts break free, can leak.

Do you have a check engine light? Even if not, have you hit the local auto parts store to have them scan for codes? Is your steering shaft seal OK?

Do you have a scanner that'll let you monitor fuel trims?

How many miles on the truck?

Have you replaced or installed any parts recently?

Have you tried unplugging/replugging the power to the coil packs, one by one, to see if the ticking goes away?

 

I think you are starting the have an exhaust leak from a slight hairline crack on your exhaust manifolds.