1990 xj laredo ticking.

Hello all! Newbie to the forums here. But since theres a bunch of people who know more than I do on here, my 1990 xj Laredo started ticking really bad a month ago. Its not exhaust leak (though I do have one) and i dont believe it's the flexplate. I've tightened and torqued to spec. What I'm asking is does this sound like a rod knock or something different? It's there through all temps, hot an cold. But it's only there when I'm in gear. Switch to park or neutral and it's gone. Or when I'm idling down a hill. Other than that it's there pretty persistently. I'll post a video if I need to. But if it were rod knock, wouldn't it be constant?

And I also know it's not the lifters

Sounds like it's only doing it when the driveline is loaded - you get it when in gear but not moving?

Unless I've been driving, yes. Only happens under load.

And it's a loud rhythmic tick that does seem to rise and fall with rpms

What if you "power brake" it? Hold the brakes hard and press the gas pedal enough to load the driveline but not move forward.

Could be u joints.

Also check your motor mounts. Motor could be torquing under load and the fan can hit the shroud.

Motor mounts were redone less than 2 months ago