Glenn we need to discuss, and wire, ONE component at a time. I'm not going to discuss colors. They can be messed up by a previous owner. If they match something, that's great. If they don't, you need to be sure the component is wired per instructions. If someone wired something wrong, there is no argument, FIX IT RIGHT.
Flasher:
1. One wire to the X terminal that is battery hot, thru a fuse is OK. Repeat......X terminal is HOT.
2. The L terminal goes to the appropriate Turn Signal Switch wire. Repeat.......L goes to T/S Switch. L can go two places as previously mentioned.


Brake Switch:
1. One terminal gets a battery HOT.
2. The other terminal goes to the appropriate Turn Signal wire.
3. Makes no difference which terminal is used for which.


Sounds like brake switch is good.
Do you have an ice pick tester or not? Get one, you possibly have a lot of wiring troubles yet to come.

Wire those two components as described, with some existing wire or new wire or whatever it takes. You are correct to get rid of any wires not used. Take them off the truck and save. When you are sure those two components are wired, stop there and let us know ASAP.
You are not stupid, this stuff is hard to track down and redo. I see the pics and colors of wire, just be sure the function is correct. Hot where hot should be and etc. Don't just rely on colors to say it's correct or it's wrong. That's where wiring can fool all of us. Be sure the wire goes where it is supposed to, no matter what color. Stay with the program.
This is why I'm always hesitant to give advice using colors. The info I gave, with colors, says "possible" and to "Buzz it out". Which means be sure it goes to the correct place. Wiring gets spliced, replaced, "wire nutted", mis wired, abandoned/disconnected, bird nested to death over the years.

It does seems as though the Grote colors are good. So we can keep referring to them to stay on the same page.


Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn