1996 Dodge Ram Dies while running, has ck. Engine codes

Do you have both actual codes? Please post them. Pxxxx
this will allow me to try to look up the dealer code, and pinpoint the O2 sensor involved Your truck has three O2's so all info will help.

Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) To test heating element, disconnect HO2S connector. Measure resistance between 2 White wire terminals at sensor connector. If resistance is not 5-7 ohms, replace sensor. To test sensing circuit, see the TESTS W/CODES - 5.2L article.
TEST TC-62A - LEFT/UPSTREAM O2 SENSOR SHORTED TO VOLTAGE 1. Warm engine to normal operating temperature. Wait 4 minutes with engine running. Using scan tool, read left/upstream Oxygen Sensor (O2S) voltage. If voltage is more than 1.5 volts, go to step 5). If voltage is 1.5 volts or less, go to next step. 2. Wiggle wiring harness and connector at left/upstream O2S while monitoring left/upstream O2S voltage. If voltage increases to more than 1.5 volts at any time while wiggling wiring harness, repair wiring harness and connector for intermittent short to voltage or open circuit as necessary and perform TEST VER-2A. If voltage does not increase to more than 1.5 volts at any time, go to next step. 3. Conditions required to set DTC is not present at this time. LEFT/UPSTREAM O2S SHORTED TO VOLTAGE DTC sets if left/upstream O2S voltage is more than 1.5 volts. Possible causes are: left/upstream O2S wiring shorted to voltage, dirt or moisture in connectors causing voltage tracking, defective connections, defective left/upstream O2S or PCM. Go to next step. 4. Inspect all related wiring and connectors. Repair wiring and connectors as necessary and perform TEST VER-2A. If wiring and connectors are okay, test is complete. Perform TEST VER-2A. 5. Disconnect left/upstream O2S connector. Inspect connector/terminals for damage. Repair connector/terminals as necessary and perform TEST VER-2A If connector and terminals are okay, go to next step. 6. Using scan tool, read left/upstream O2S voltage. If voltage is more than 1.5 volts, repair short to voltage in left/upstream O2S connector, signal circuit and perform TEST VER-2A. If voltage is 1.5 volts or less, perform TEST TC-103A. NOTE: For connector terminal ID, see the CONNECTOR IDENTIFICATION DIRECTORY. For wiring diagram, see WIRING DIAGRAMS - 5.2L article.

$D1= this is telling you which module is showing this fault, so $D1 is the PCM and we hope both clear when the short is fixed.
150,000 miles, this one is overdue for all O2 sensors to be replaced.

On most, but not all V type engines, there are three on single exhaust and four on dual exhaust(factory installed)
You may have a two sensor setup, a bit less accurate but still works. Knocking engine can cause the knock sensor to pick up the knock, this will cause the PCM to retard timing. This would result in reduced power and possible bucking. Make sure the knock isn't mechanical, like a bad crank journal or piston wrist pin slapping. The other question now is, what engine size do you have? Liters?
3.9? I think yours has three sensors, One on each side of the "Y" pipe and one after the cat.

Let me know how you make out.