i have an automatic transmission on my 2001 ford ranger. when i take off from a dead stop while in drive there is a feeling at first like i have a trailer that is just catching in the first foot or so of driving. after that it drives like normal. if i let off the brake real slowly then i won’t feel it, but if i put my foot on the gas like normal then it just feels like i’m catching something that i’m towing.
Probably not relevant, but the first thing to check on Nearly all transmission problems is level and condition of transmission fluid. As I said, probably not the problem, but just get it out of the road so you can tell people that level and condition is okay.
I would start by checking the drive shaft and rear end for excessive play.
transman