I have a 2001 dodge ram 1500 5.9l 4x4 just replaced all the top end gaskets and the water pump gasket, now the truck will crank and backfire and spit fuel out the intake before it backfires it seems. Also while it cranks the ground on the driver side cylinder head that connects to the firewall gets really hot and starts to smoke a little. What could possibly be the issue here?

Plug wires out of sequence, or, injectors connected wrong, plus a bad battery ground to the motor. Recheck your work.