Every time I enguage reverse without holding the break down hard till its fully engaged I get a loud click.. Is it u joints? And there is some play also unlike newer vehicles it's just solid an in gear, my drive shaft will turn a half turn I'm guessing each time

 

And if I push the gas down semi fast an let up too quick my truck almost dies

 

My 97 was a 5 Speed
But it started making a click if I let the clutch out to quick and The truck would squeak and pop when backing up under a load.
I replaced both U joint because upon inspection they where both heavily worn.

 

Wouldn't hurt to do u joints. They're really cheap.

 

The u joints don't seem bad, it seems more like its sloppy in the tails on of my tranny and the part where the shaft bolts to the rear end