I'm still doing a lot of learning about 4runners and not really sure how to search for this so I thought I'd just ask.

I discovered recently when trying to clean my throttle (with truck running) that I remove the air tube from the throttle body my truck will stall and I cannot start it.

Is this normal? And if so is there a way around this?

 

no because the AFM air flow meter is connected to air box.. if it doesnt sense enough air it cuts the fuel pump!
you can jump the fuel pump in the diagnos box...

 

yep that pretty much sums it up