oh i'm gonna definitely get it out. i'm just hoping that the last person gave up and it's just this simple. and fuel economy is definitely a bust at the moment. $20 lasted me only a day. gonna research some fuel savers and see if anything is applicable. any suggestions?

a commuter car that gets north of 20 MPG.

Re-evaluation. It doesn't only do this in OD. And it doesn't ALWAYS do it in OD. it will drive in OD and be fine, suddenly it drops (sometimes by only 100) and 300 RPM and begins the violent shudder. And it's STUCK at that RPM. If i slowly try to accelerate the shudder gets worse (no bucking involved.) It stays stuck. but if i let off the gas and directly back on it, the RPMs raise by a couple hundred and drives fine. but if i don't constantly accelerate it will drop a couple hundred and shake again. PLease tell me I'm describing a misfire to a T. because I'm sceptical of that determination as it runs perfectly at all other times. Thanks again for the input.

Mine felt fine, even with a dead miss on TWO cylinders, until, that is..... TCC engaged, and all those odd vibrations had a direct mechanical connection to the drivetrain. Thought my truck was going to fall apart......

Have a hard look at all of your tune up parts. Plugs, wires, cap, rotor. Might explain the whole problem right there.

ok... pulled my truck into the factory i work at after everyone went home. an acetalyne torch, breaker bar, two broken ratchets, impact wrench, three busted knuckles, and two hours later the spark plug is out, the new one in and she runs like a champ. thanks everyone for the input. firing system would have been the last on my list. something so simple and small causing such a violent shake is still a mystery to me. thanks again everyone. i feel like i've found a new favorite website. and i have a BRAND new fascination with forums. i'll definitely be back.
Thanks again,
Jeremiah