As I said, engine noise seems the primary cause. Remember my post asking about air pump noise? I took it by an Isuzu service facility today. Tech took a quick listen. Immediately, he said intake gasket(s) leak. I asked if that would account for roughness at 2500. He also said motor mounts could be part of the issue.
This could be a combo of all 3. A little gear noise, a little mount vibration, and an accentuation by the intake (to create an imbalance in cylinder power).
Are intake gaskets really a [common] problem on these? The tech said it was a problem in general with the 3.5L motor.