i have a 3.9 1992 dakota. yesterday, driving home from the girlfriends, i hit a small pothole on the rear right tire. shortl after, the truck went crazy.

the engine rattled everytime i pressed the gas pedal down, and it occassionally backfired. i couldnt get much power, it sounded like a shocking noise from the drivers side of the engine

what could this be?

 

I don't know what it could be.
But I will suggest that you pop the hood open and take a good look around the engine compartment.

 

Yeah, I would take a good look around, it sounds like possibly a plug wire got loose and is making contact with the exhaust manifold, once the heat eats thru the insulation, the wire will arc against any metal it finds, this happened to me years ago on a little 4 banger.