i have a 97 dodge ram 1500 4x4 with the 318 the alternator ground wire going from the alternator to the fuse box on the driver side finder under the hood was glowing orange and melted shut the truck off and replace the wire with the same size wire and found that the 120 amp alternator fuse was blown replaced the fuse with the truck off and the fuse popped as soon as I put one screw in the fuse any ideas what is causing that much of a draw in the system to blow the fuse with the key off and the truck not running?

 

Something conductive.

Yank the alternator and get it tested. If it's not failed then it's time for real no 5h17 troubleshooting. Or you could just jack up the radiator cap and put a new truck under it.