I drive the truck for about a mile and a half and truck shuts off and then battery is really hot

I would test the hazard switch and replace if nessesary.

not sure if this will help you out.
Why Does My Car Stall While Driving
or this one.
What makes car start and then die immediately

this sounds like an external voltage regulator issue..when it gets hot or shuts itself off the battery is whats running the vehicle..until the operating voltage drops below minimal.. then it all stops..get the charging system checked at a parts store.. they do it for free..

I don't think you could trust that either. Sounds like the sending unit in the tank is messed up, so it may never read correctly. By now, you must know the approximate miles per gallon it gets, so until you get the gauge fixed, you should go by the number of miles you go to know when it needs gassing up. Just as a ballpark figure, a '97 Sierra, city driving, maybe 15-17 mpg? I really don't know, you could google it I'm sure.

Have your battery and your alternator checked. Most auto parts stores will test both for free.

Hi sounds like the typical fuel pump or filter problem with these cars, best way to tell is take top fuel hose off on fuel filter under hood, turn key on ignition (not start) and fuel should pump out, if not its your pump, just beware of doing when engine is hot

CHECK OUT VACUME LINES CLOSE GOOD LUCK

is your belt slipping? You may have a bad tensioner pulley. Check all pulleys make sure they will spin and not lock up, if they feel really tight or after rotating them around several times they get tight replace

It sounds like a clogged fuel filter

look for leaks on the passenger side!!!! also this car has a "air pocket" you need to find the bleed off screw on the upper hose fitting on the engine and bleed it when filling up with coolant