1989 toyota pickup wont start?

If it felt like it ran out of gas, then more than likely something is wrong with the fuel pressure. Conduct a fuel pressure test to check the fuel pressure regulator, fuel injector(s) and fuel filter. I doubt it is the ECU.

You can rent a fuel pressure gauge from an auto parts store.

Spark, fuel, compression. Check for spark with an old spark plug inserted into one of the plug wires and the metal part of the plug touching a metal surface on the engine, see if you can see a spark when the engine is cranked. Check for fuel, if you don't have a gauge you can depress the schrader valve on the fuel rail, it usually has a plastic cap over it and it looks like the valve stem on a tire. Be careful as fuel will spray out at 40PSI so cover it with a rag. To check for compression without a compression guage, crank the engine over it should sound even, as each cylinder comes up on its compression stroke the starter will slow down slightly. If one or more cylinders have low compression the sound will be uneven. If none of the cylinders have compression, the sound will be steady with no pulses.

The ECU is fairly reliable. When you turn the key to on does the "check engine" light come on? if not then the computer might not be getting power.

Other things to check are cam or crank sensors these control ignition and injector timing.

Yes, it could be the ECU (electronic control unit). I once had an ' 83 Chevy van with carburation, and it went out like that twice. I discovered that the ECU went out in the distributor both times. EFI (electronic fuel injection) has no distributor like in a carburated fuel system. You may not have to worry about the coil problem in that particular vehicle.

i did some work on one that was similiar to that it ended up being some vaccum lines but it can be difficult and a headache to track some down if everything is working right and your getting fuel the vaccum has alot to play in those trucks....i also found out that the one i worked on would start at all without the breather on and secured right.... it seems like one tiny little vaccum leak could be a shipwreck on those trucks......this isnt a cure just something to check

The truck quit right away, it was still in gear and kept turning over and seemed to be running. That sounds electrical to me, my first thought is the coil. My Ford did same thing, I thought fuel and it was coil. Ran fine after new coil.

it might be a bad fuel regulator on the fuel rail. it could be starting to go bad or the coil is getting too hot and shutting it down.