Front End Vibration at 45MPH+ Believe it to be front driveshaft?

[xrs11]

Ok, I pretty much found out part of what was going on with mine. The pinion nut holding the plate on the rear end (8.8) was extremely loose. I tightened it a little bit and ALMOST all vibration away.
I still have questions though.
Did riding with it that loose do internal damage? Will tightening the pinion nut cause damage? Does the pinion nut need threadlocker on it? If not why did it back off? And finally would a worn out slip yoke in the driveshaft be causing the remainder of the vibration, or is that what caused the pinion nut to back off in the first place?
I know it’s a bunch of questions but this is my daily driver. So I just wanted to be sure.
I hope this may help someone else having this problem.

 

[Ranger Rookie]

I had very much the same problem on my 94 4x4. Changed the ball joints and followed up with alignment. Been great since. Puling the ball joints yourself is tough, but will save a ton of money.