[DransportGarage]

This could be something simple. In case you've got a little more fight in you, here's an idea that should take about 5 minutes: From your description, it sounds like your truck might have fire until you release the key. If so, your ballast resistor might have given up the ghost. Here's the test:

1) Using a voltmeter, select a DC volts scale on the meter that is greater than 12 volts.

2) Put the red lead of your voltmeter on the "+" terminal on the coil, and put the black lead of the voltmeter on any good ground (e.g., a carburetor stud, the "-" terminal of the battery, or any kind of ground).

3) Turn the key on. If you get about 8 volts your ballast resistor is OK. If you get zero volts, your ballast resistor either is dead or somehow the circuit is broken.

4) To verify that your voltmeter is hooked up correctly, try to start the truck. The meter should read about 12 volts while the engine is cranking.

5) Report back to us.