Dad,
I tested both out of the truck. I tested the key hot and I have 12V on the "E" side of the gauge, I was using the trucks battery and upgraded wiring (tested). I am grounding to a bolt on the body that i know has worked for other grounds (heater and wipers). I don't have a picture yet. Let me see what I can do.
Here is what I have rechecked. All wires have the proper amount of voltage, sender has the proper OHMs.
I am going to pull the gauge out and connect it directly to the battery to see if anything happens.12V post to positive and I will run the ground (square on back of gauge) to the negative.
Time to go back to troubleshooting!
Chris