[idmetro]

Here's my guess on your frame oil leak. I'd bet that you are actually leaking transmission fluid (or possibly transfer case fluid; if your truck is 4wd) and its getting mixed with dirt and crud making it look more oil like. The hard lines from the tranny to the cooler inside the radiator run in that general area and I'd suggest a careful examination of them as you might have a pinhole or a loose fitting. Have you noticed the tranny fluid level changing?

If you have an oil cooler it will probably be mounted on the drivers side of the engine up front of the radiator. You can take a look underneath the oil filter for a spacer/plate that has two hoses coming out of it. If you find one follow the hoses to the cooler. If you don't find one you probably don't have an oil cooler.

As for the slamming, from your description I'd go along with the u-joint possibility but I wouldn't rule out shock mounts either. Take your truck to a local tranny shop for a free evaluation and ask them to show you exactly what they found (they should have a lift and can walk you under the truck to point out/demonstrate things) then you can determine how you might want to proceed. Use the "My spouse doesn't know a darn thing about this stuff" line so I need to understand this. You might be pleasantly surprised.

Another suggestion would be to take a trip to your local u-pull wrecking yard and have a look at similar vehicles there. You will get a chance to see various engine configurations in random states of disassembly and you don't have to mess with your truck to do it. Talk up the folks up front (they almost always love to talk and will be virtually guaranteed to adopt any woman willing to do her own work). Besides everyone likes to thnik themselves an expert; so let them..... Want to really freak them out? Bring them a plate of cookies, some doughnuts or a cold coke as most people only stop in to complain, if you turn the tables they will do their best to help you out and it will cost you almost nothing.