CUCV Starter issue

[old Rusty C10]

truck is brand new to me. It came from the government minus the starter and with gen2 unplugged and half broken. I got a 24 v starter and replaced the wiring to it. no key looked underneath and the starter relay was missing. I ordered an AC Delco one and installed that ( Gen 2 was not hooked up and the wires were taped off) the truck cranked once ( although glow plugs didn't lite , I started the truck and ran it for a few with a shot of diesel safe ether) after it ran like that we shut it off and the truck refused to crank again. I went and had the gen 2 rebuilt and repaired that wiring and installed that.
I unplugged the starter relay and notice when you plug it in the thing clicks as if power is going to it but the key is off and out of the truck so I took out the starter relay and left it out.. truck will not crank with it in and key in the start position. I am going to check the batteries to make sure there is no issue with the voltage but im thinking its the ignition switch on the bottom of the column..... any suggestions ( yes I searched im just kind of overwhelmed)