First thing that popped into my mind was it sounds like your conver lock up isn't disengaging and it's causing your truck to act like a manual when you dont push the clutch in.
I wonder if there is a way it disable the lock up like you can do W/ a GM trans?
Or you could just try putting it in neutral the next time it feels like it's going to die.
I never had this problem nor do I know if it's even possible. Just what came to mind as I read your post.
