I read this post =

Odds are high that it's the starter relay. You don't need to pull the battery cable off if it happens again before you can replace it, just carry with you a large screwdriver, and when it happens, rap on the relay once with the handle. You're not trying to break it, just give it a good rap, and it will stop.

so I went and hit the starter relay and it stoped... but the starter relay is new. so why is this doing that with a new Part ?

 

Hey, at least yours starts with the new relay! I'm driving myself nuts trying to find the problem with mine - but at least I'm driving somewhere!

I'm ready to drop it off at an electrical place to see if they can't find the problem...

 

Guys, the starter relay is just a super heavy duty solenoid.
It's winding is grounded one side.
The ignition switch feeds power to the other side of the winding causing it to pull up the heavy contacts for the starter to get power from the battery.
That's all there is to it.
If the starter continues to run after cranking it is either the heavy contacts have begun to burn and stick or the ignition switch is defective keeping power to the winding.
If the solenoid clicks in and no crank then either the heavy contacts are burned beyond closing, connections/cables are bad or the starter has a problem.
There is a small lead on the solenoid that is the ignition switch connection. If you remove it and the cranking stops, it's the ignition switch.
If you cross this terminal with the battery feed side and the engine cranks, the ignition switch is not closing power to the solenoid.
Think.

 

Time to add an update...I replaced the solenoid, yes, I know how it works, but I'm glad you put all that down, because deep down I still question myself on this stuff. So, I replaced the solenoid. All I get is clicks and the battery goes down to nothing in about three days. I've replaced the starter and solenoid combo twice in 18 months. My backup lights don't work, either. It's probably not related, but maybe it is. So, I dropped it off at an electrical place this evening. I'm flying to Philly for a four days, then back for two days, and out to Seattle for four days, then back for two more, then back to Philly. I've been back for three days (squeezed another day because of the truck), but I was in Philly for five days last week.

Long story made short: I don't have time to troubleshoot. I'd rather spend it building a snow fort with my two kids instead of cursing at the truck. I like the truck, it's a diamond in the rough. I like it's old smell, it's four on the floor, and the sound of the "muffler". I'd like to keep it that way - I'll let someone else bang on the problem for awhile.

If anyone has any other thoughts...

 

Reran the ground from the battery to the block down by the starter instead of on the head. Replaced the positive connector on the battery.

Problem fixed!