Alright guys I've got an 87 pickup 22r, I've had the truck for about 14 years now but honestly only drove it for maybe 3 or 4 of those years. I've replaced just about every component I can think of electrical wise due to being young and dumb and not knowing how deep the ponds were. I have brand new batt, starter, and alternator in now with all new cables and still cannot get any power to my dash. I'm not very savvy with electrical anything so I guess my question is could my issue possibly be a fried ecu/pcm ?

 

On my pickup there is a wire that hooks up to the battery and goes directly down into the starter. Maybe this wire isn’t connected

 

Before you buy anymore components, please buy a $10 or so multi-meter, and learn how to use it. Many of us here would be happy to help you.
A problem well-stated is a problem solved.
Only the dash does not work? Not getting any dash lights, or no power to gage display?
Please list everything you know that works, and everything you know that does not work.

 

Thanks for the input fellas I do appreciate it. So the last time I was able to drive it, it would be a hit and miss with starting, sometimes it would fire right up other times not even a clicking sound. When it would start up I'd drive down the road and hit a pot hole or small bump and it would shut off completly then the no click issues following up. The oil pressure light and break light are the only lights that come on on the dash(break light never goes out). When driving if It's at night and I turn my blinker on it cuts out my headlights and vise versa if i use the brights.The only way i was able to get it to start was shaking all of the wires in the front driver side corner cubby hole by the headlight compartment but now I can't even get power to anything. I do have a "professional multimeter" but am definitely not a pro at using it. I'm learning it more and more but it still confuses me from time to time becuase of the multiple different settings.

 

Problem seems intermittent, so it could be a loose connection somewhere. A Multi-meter may be of little use, in this case. Best to inspect al your wires, especially grounds, Make sure all ground points and connections have clean, shiny metal tightly making contact.
Start from your battery terminals, to the fuse block in the engine compartment. Check the battery negative to the inner fender ground, and the thick cable from battery negative to the lower front corner of the engine block.

 

So I went threw all my grounds with a wire brush attachment on a grinder got all of em to bare metal. Some were caked with grease and oil so there all nice and shiny now, put a new battery and alternator in today and still have absolutely no signs of her coming to life. I even replaced the ecm with no luck. Went through the wiring harness previously mentioned by the driver headlight cluster and found about 2 inches of burnt wire but that was the only wire showing signs of fault. I continued to follow the wires till I got to the cab with no luck.i still have a brand new starter to put in but thats not going to help with my current issue so I haven't bothered replacing it let. I cant even take it to a shop, I've had 4 "certified" mechanic shops tell me it's more of a reliability then anything.

 

Turns out my main power supply wire on the alternator was grounding itself out causing lack of power supply to other components. Also missing a wire from the main fuse to positive terminal. I feel like an idiot but I finally gor my issue resolved. Thank you for all the input guys it was much needed and appreciated