5.2L V8 stutter

Hi, I have a 1999 5.2L V8 dodge Dakota with 61000 miles on it and it's stuttering and shaking. I have an occasional problem where I start it and it doesn't idle for more than a second, but it starts right up. I usually get it to stay idled after I rev it to 4000 RPMS and slowly let the RPMS come down until it idles, then it runs fine for a few weeks. But today, I woke up and let it warm up and it started great and then on the way to school it started rattling and shaking from the front and then after school the check engine light came on. What could this possibly be?

Thanks.