Here's an update on my shuddering issue. Knowing full well the failing torque converter would take out the transmission as it spewed debris through the system I let it go too long anyways, and take out the transmission it done did. On the way home from work it started shuddering worse than normal and taking off from a stop light I hit the gas and the engine raced to almost redline then BAM the transmission engaged and produced a violent 4-wheel drive burnout. I was able to limp it home with what I thought was the torque converter completely gone. It drove fine in gears 2-5 but first wasn't having it. A few days later I got a call from the transmission shop saying my transmission needed to be rebuilt as they had done very specific tests, so I did let them tear it apart but didn't authorize any work until I had seen and verified it myself. I was not about to be the ignorant customer that gets hosed as $1k is far less than $5k. They weren't kidding! My fluid was burned and the pan was full of shavings plus the valve body was full as well. A few burned clutch packs and a hardly working torque converter are what I ended up with. Got the truck back today and all is well again.