1994 Explorer hiccups and strange noises

[Lunch]

Howdy all -

My 1994 Explorer is running boggy. It lurches and struggles when climbing hills, and coughs and spits while idling. When accelerating up a hill, I eventually hear a loud banging noise that seems to come from the rear, or center, shaking the whole vehicle. The problem is getting worse... Any ideas?

[Lunch]

I'm going to follow the Fuel Filter Replacement How-To posted on this site and see if that corrects the problem.

I'm concerned about the banging noise though, and if it could be related.

[big white bufflo]

look at your u joint on the drive shaft .any engine lights on .you can go to autozone for a free scan come back and let us know it very hard to tell what the trouble is with out diagnostic