I recently bought my son a 1986 F150 Lariat XLT (302 - 2WD). Sat in a barn for 4yrs but the overall cosmetic condition was too good to pass up. Running into an issue with getting power to the cab. New solenoid, fuses, battery, starter, and ignition have been put in. Found one bad fusible link & got it replaced also. Traced all wires & none seem to be chewed or burnt up. The engine will turnover when you arch the solenoid & that even turns on the floorboard lights, but there's nothing when you turn the key. No dash lights, no turnover, no power at all.

 

Do the headlights work?
Maybe the ignition switch is coming apart
Maybe you have another fuse link out
Check for power on the post at the rear of the alternator
Those fuse links that go inside come from the starter relay on the fender apron
Maybe one you need is on the wrong side of the starter relay
While you jump the starter relay, you could watch and see if the dash lights come on to verify that
You might need a EVTM for your 86 to check all the power distribution wiring

 

Thank for the info.
Nothing except for the floor light on the driver side works when jumping the solenoid. Alternator connections are good. Although we put a new ignition in, I did not check the switch inside the collum. I have not found another fusible link, but there's likely another somewhere so I'll do some more digging.
Thanks again for the information.

 

Just check the ignition switch itself for power going in
The big yellow ones should have power
You mentioned new ignition, do you mean a new key and cylinder?
Your switch is down the column a ways, on top, wires hanging down from a big rectangular connector

 

Had some electrical issues on mine and found a mouse had been at the back side of the fuse box chewing on wires. Long shot but you did say it sat for 4 years.

 

Put a new ignition switch on last weekend. Went to attempt a turnover & wouldn't ya know, the brand new ignition (key/cylinder) locked up between the first two clicks. Looks like that's on this weekends list now.