So im at the 7-11 with the kids and the truck starts then dies as I'm backing out. Now it wont start, no headlights no functioning gauges, turning the key makes no noise... nothing. The aux fan and fuel pumps do work but I think they go right to the battery. Everything seems hooked up and connected. Any thoughts on what quit? solenoid or maybe a switch, ignition or similar??

I'm terrible with electricity, but my first thought is that you may have gotten a short somewhere and cooked your fusible link. It's a sacrificial piece of wire where your main wiring harness connects to your battery. Ignore this if you're not running a stock harness.

I have no idea if the wiring is original but its my feeling that it is. So how does one find fix/replace this fusible link. There is additional stuff going on as far as radio fuel pump etc so while its easier than a new car, im not an electricity dude either

After googling fusible link I still cant see one for sure. There is what looks like a black wire that has been soldered to a yellow one with an inline fuse? It comes off the starter solenoid but appears to be intact with fuse still good

Outcome?

0 volts at the ignition post on the solenoid with key in run position. Trouble shooting from there.

I had something similar happen with a 280Z. Ended up being a bad battery cable. Looked okay, but couldn't carry current.

going to replace the wire to the number 3 post and may do a new starter solenoid and battery cables for good measure and see where we stand. Bought a new fusible link but dont see anything similar currently on here. so until I get a moment to swap this stuff out i'm grounded

The fusible link will be the first 8" of the 10g black wire on the battery side of the starter solenoid. You have to unwrap it a little to find the end of it.

Also '73?-'75 had a connector at the passenger corner of the firewall (engine side) where both sides of the 10g wire loop passes through along with the green-red wire for the voltage regulator. This connector tends to fall apart.

I had exactly the same thing happen , I ended up running new 10 gauge wire to fuse box w 40 amp large fuse in line .. That was after I replaced a few other good parts w no luck and pulled out some hair . Hope that helps if you have not fixed it yet cheers

I'm assuming this is the fusible link, it's been updated as suggested above and fuse is fine going to order some new post wires and hope that is it

That yellow wire is too small for powering the whole truck.

Where does that thick blue wire go to? Is that for an accessory?


ETA:

Where does this wire go? It looks more factory. (Yellow Arrow)

I agree, too small and too new. Now that one that's painted blue and wrapped in tape looks about right.

The yellow wire in loom comes off the battery, turns red and looks dash light or radio related. Thicker blue wire looks stereo related as well leading into a "street wires" plastic encased fuse.

Running out of ideas

I don't know if this is any help, but the cap on the fuse pictured above has cracked & isn't holding on tight. I had one similar, that did the same thing. Despite being broken, it maintained a circuit and didn't cause a problem.

seems stock with a fair amount of ghetto fixes. After un wrapping a lot of tape it looks like the thin red wire is connected to a thicker bluish wire and a smaller yellow one off the solenoid. need a bigger connector but I think thats it so hopefully this thread will die soon. Thanks for all the help.

and it's fixed...ghetto fusible link has been replaced, maybe i'll make it to a breakfast now

Sweet!