Here's a breakdown of possible causes:
Engine Related (most likely culprits given the black smoke):
* Injector Problems (most likely): A faulty injector on one side of the engine isn't metering fuel correctly. It could be constantly injecting too much fuel, leading to the black smoke and loss of power on that side, causing the skipping. This is a very common cause.
* Fuel Pump Issues: A malfunctioning fuel pump, or a problem with the fuel delivery system to one side of the engine, could deliver an inconsistent or excessive amount of fuel to one bank of cylinders.
* Air Intake Restriction (less likely with black smoke): While typically associated with lean conditions (white or blue smoke), a severe restriction on one side of the intake could lead to a rich mixture on the other side due to the engine compensating. However, black smoke makes this less probable.
* Compression Issue (less likely): Low compression in one cylinder bank could cause a misfire (skipping) and potentially lead to the engine trying to compensate by adding more fuel (leading to black smoke), though this is less directly linked to a one-sided skip.
Suspension Related (less likely given the black smoke, but could contribute to the "skip"):
* Suspension Component Failure (e.g., broken spring, shock absorber, control arm): A severely damaged suspension component on one side could cause the truck to bounce or skip unevenly, but wouldn't directly cause black smoke. This is more likely to be a contributing factor making the problem *feel* more pronounced on one side. This would be less likely unless the unevenness is severe.
Other Possibilities:
* Wiring Problems: Issues with the ignition system or fuel injectors wiring could lead to uneven power delivery and a misfire.
What to do:
This is not a DIY fix, especially given the black smoke indicating a serious engine problem. Immediately take your truck to a qualified mechanic. Continuing to drive the truck with these symptoms could cause significant engine damage. The mechanic will need to diagnose the specific problem using diagnostic tools, and will likely need to perform a compression test and examine the fuel injectors.
