after extended time grinding on starter my truck cranked but only would idle......roughly. changed fuel filter. fuel pump no longer comes. no start at all.
changed fuel pump, it now comes on as it should, bled injector lines 1,3,4 as instructed. still no start. as i released the key from start to run position truck cranked but only idled roughly again. Changed ignition switch. no improvement

 

You need to see if any codes are present. 1998 and 1999 required a scanner.

Some such as P0216 aren't really death codes, but ones like P1688 and P1689 are.

Good technical advice regarding your Injection pump here.

VP44 Diagnostic

 

i did get a p1688 code. does that mean the injection pump is toast?

 

I'd get the codes cleared, make sure fuel is coming out of the injector lines and try again. If either of those two IP codes keep coming up, it's most likely your IP.
What kind of replacement fuel lift pump?
Do you have a fuel psi gauge...if not, this is one of the single most important things to have. Based on what you've stated, I'll bet the filter was marginally clogged till the point of starving the IP of fuel. Fuel also cools the IP and then it failed. Fill out your signature so we can better understand what mods you may have on the truck.
Good Luck!

 

Ugh, 1688 is a bad one. Follow through with the diagnostic tests from the bluechip link and you will know for sure.

It doesn't look good for your IP though.