Last week as I was driving back home from a fishing trip at night, the dash lights all turned off and I lost the tach at the same time, I noticed nothing else at the time; lights, speedometer, turn signals all worked. When I got home a few minutes later the truck wouldn't turn off when I rolled back the key and removed it, in fact the key had no effect on anything other than the starter (which it did actuate). The engine turned off the moment I disconnected the battery, now every time I connect the battery the fuel pump comes on and stays on.
Thinking it may be the ignition switch (the one in the steering column connected by a rod and makes all the contacts) I replaced it and nothing changed, in fact if I connect the battery with the harness unplugged the fuel pump still runs.
I'm new to Jeeps, this one was my father's so now I have a lot to learn in very little time, I thank you all for your time in reading the post and welcome any suggestions on what to do next, this thing has me scratching my head bald!