In case anybody ever searches for this again, I have fixed the problem and found out why all the problems were caused!

I replaced the temp sensor with a new one from toyota, it cost about 80 bucks canadian (ouch!). Might have been possible to just clean the old one up, it was looking rough but basically just corroded and caked up, but I had already bought the new one when I took the old one out so now I have a spare I suppose...

I found some articles here on another site: here

The temp sensor feedbacks to the EFI stuff to control fuel/air mixture because of the efficiency of burning fuel at different temps. When the sensor fails, a/f ratio is out of whack and truck stalls and bogs. Temp problems also seem to be doing better, although the weather is well below freezing now so i'll have to wait till it warms up to tell for sure.

hope this helps somebody in the future