replaced the distributor, cap, rotor, coil, alternator, starter relay, alternator regulator,spark plugs, ignition switch (located under the dash on the steering wheel). then realized it wasn't any of the above. when i tried to jump start the truck the wires started smoking on the jumper cables. unplugged the ground pulled out a test light and the ground was hot. unplugged each component one at a time and the short is still there with the key in the run position. seams to go away when i turn the key off then to get the short back i have to crank the engine (but just for a moment), run to the battery and disconnect the ground, and the short is there. i just started unwrapping all the wiring on the truck in a attempt to find the short. one person reported on another sight by unhooking the eec relay (located under the dash about dead center of the truck) that, that fixed there problem, i tried this and used my test light and it still has the short.