I had the same exact problem guys. Only difference is the hack I bought my truck from has the wiring so screwed up it doesn't even have the relay on the fender like it used to. So I found the wire at the ignition switch that put out 12V when trying to start and spliced a new wire in and ran it into the connector on the starter. Fixed...I guess

 

If it is an '85 (going by your user name), there was likely no starter relay from the factory. I know my '85 does not have one, basically a wire from the ignition switch to the starter solenoid.

 

I don't have the 85 anymore just stuck with the screen name. It's an 86 with a 92 motor and unknown trans. It's just a mess.

 

Probably better off w/o the factory relay anyway, it is really wired improperly:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...l#OtherOptions

If the current setup does not work, easy enough to add a dedicated relay.

 

I have checked the following ground connections

Battery to chassis
Battery to block
ECU harness to intake manifold
Firewall to head

Is this all the ground points on an 88 22re?

 

subscriber for reference, since I'm having aome of the symptoms
thanks for the writeup!