When I pull out of the driveway, before the truck is warmed up very much, I get a loud fan, or blowing noise, that seems like it lasts through 2 or 3 gears, and then shuts off. I'm almost always babying it before it gets much heat in it, but the few times I have got on the gas more, it seems to shut off quicker.

What is that? Is it normal?

Normal, it's the radiator fan. Mine will do it for 2 or 3 blocks in the mornings. If a cold breeze is blowing in from the ocean during the day it will do it in the afternoon when I leave work.

The fan clutch has thick juice in it that has to be distributed after sitting. It can take a few minutes for this happen, especially the colder it is outside. Completely normal.