I've tried 3 different batteries all reading between 12 - 13 and even try starting it with the charger on the truck on the "start" setting, cleaned the terminals too but all I get is a click from the starter when I try to start it, won't even turn over now at all.. 😭

 

You might have to pull the starter and check if bendix is kicking out or not, when power is applied

 

I'm not sure what work you actually ended up doing, so it's a little hard to give specific advice, but the battery and starter were good places to start on this. Depending on what you did, it's really easy with a bigger job to connect things wrong, not connect things, or make some other small mistake. Since it cranked fine before all this, we can probably rule out battery terminal connections, though it's never a bad idea to really clean them well. So you tried batteries that will start other vehicles? If you cranked your battery till it died, then let it sit for weeks, it may be toast. But since you're checking actual voltage you've probably ruled that out.

All kinds of crazy things can happen, like previously good parts somehow dying while you fix other parts, but...if it cranked fine before and isn't cranking now, there's a 99% chance something either isn't hooked up, or is hooked up wrong. Sure sounds like battery though.

 

I agree with 83, double check all the connections in the starter circuit first, especially the trigger wire (small wire with the spade lug connection to the starter). Loose, dirty or corroded connections on the starter could also do this, and they are easy to overlook, but just as easy to check. Remember, you're dealing with a 36 year old truck here so take nothing for granted. 9 times out of 10 it is something simple.

Also guessing but something similar has happened to me before too. After checking the connections first, it turned out to be the starter solenoid. All that extended cranking on an older starter can break them in several ways. The most common is worn, pitted or corroded contacts that are no longer making a solid connection when you activate the starter. The clicking noise/no turn over symptom you are getting with a fresh battery could be a sign of this. Here's what some worn solenoid contacts can look like:


These contacts are Copper & carry a LOT of current. Extended cranking can build a lot of heat due to arcing & literally melt the copper, causing the pitting & bubbles you see here. A surface like that isn't smooth & won't conduct very well, plus the wear on them keeps them from making firm contact, causing yet more arcing. With an older starter with worn contacts the problem can be even worse.