Smoked fusible link and ground wire

Some comments here and there:

First if you do not have, go get/ download/ buy a factory service manual. You can download factory manuals as well as aftermarket wiring diagrams free from MyMopar

Next, look for melted harness wrappings. These girls are POORLY fused. In fact the "run" circuits and the "start" circuits ARE NOT FUSED except for the fusible link, and that is very poor protection. When things get hot, wires tend to melt the insulation and cross connect "weld" inside the harnesses

TO PROTECT THE SYSTEM WHILE TROUBLESHOOTING

Get yourself a BIG wattage 12V lamp. This can be an old headlamp, or even a stop/ turn socket with an 1157 bulb Wire the two 1157 wires together and connect to them at one terminal and the lamp shell for the other terminal

Install your "big lamp" in series with the battery ground cable. If you have a bad short, the bulb will light, alerting you, and it will LIMIT CURRENT FLOW protecting the entire system from further damage. Repair or temporarily repair the fuse link to get power back into the car

If the lamp lights,

1.....Make sure EVERYTHING in the car is off, including glove box/ courtesy and trunk lamps, the key, headlight switch, everything

2.....Pull fuses one at a time to see if the lamp goes dark

3....Unhook the main black wire from the alternator stud. "Safe" that wire off with tape temporarily.

4...If you can get the lamp "dark" then turn the key to "run." Lamp should light. Unhook alternator field (blue), unplug the VR, and pull connections off the ballast. Lamp might still glow but should not light brightly. If it does you have a short in that circuit

5.....Turn key to "start" after unhooking the two "push on" connectors on the starter relay. Lamp should not burn brightly, but will likely show some color. This is the current through the coil. You can disconnect the coil + wire temporarily. Lamp should go very dim or dark. If not the short is still in that circuit

Again, prepare to untape harnesses to inspect for damage. You may find yourself pulling the harnesses out, and no, that is no fun