So I'll get up to speed and it'll shift too early out of 3rd to 4th and then lose power. I'll normally have to give it more gas to pick it back up to speed. Another note on that it has a clicking/ticking noise while going up hill while in 4th. Any help on what these noises are?

 

Ticking most likely detonation. When was the last tune up? Checked the plenum? What size tires you running?

 

I haven't checked the plenun, the last tune up was maybe a month ago with new distributor cap, wires, and plugs. I'm running with 30x9.50r15

 

Start with the plenum.

 

After mentioning the plenum, I went and looked for signs of failure within the gaskets. This is my discovery

 

It's blown.

 

Oh yes there is some work to be done here. Now, however, will this also contribute to any ticking sound lower down toward the block? It's not like a rod knock it's more like a slapping and ticking sound. The sound doesn't exist while idling or anything else. Just going up inclines in overdrive.

 

Likely spark knock. And yes, the plenum is a major contributor there.

 

Could be a loose timing chain. Once you have everything off to fix the intake you're not far from the timing chain. I would change it and the water pump.