No crank, no click, have lights, no dash power

My son's truck listed above (c1500) would not start. No crank or click from the solenoid. The battery is reading 12.5 vdc. Pulled off the starter had it tested as good. We have interior and exterior lights and horn but no power to dash. Noticed that the wire that returns from the ignition switch back to the starter had gotten up against the exhaust manifold and had a melted spot in it. Cut the wire and made a new end for it. No help. Tested the acc/ign and the acc/bat fuses and they both had continuity. Replaced the ignition switch. No change. So frustrated now that I am about to bleed out of my eyes. Neither the starter nor the ignition switch are all that easy to get to. Any ideas where to look next?