Well the first rule of trouble-shooting is to divide the entire system into pieces and check the sub systems until you find the one where the failure is occuring.
The truck and wipers both died at the same time. Are the wipers electric? If so its probably an electrical problem. If the wipers are vacuum I would not assume an electrical problem.
Is the battery charged?
If the battery is okay, turn on the ignition and check for power to the coil. If you have power to the coil check out the ignition system because most likely the running problem isn't related to the wipers, but rather to ignition.
If no power at the coil, check the ignition post on the ignition switch. If you have power there the problem is between the switch and the coil. If you don't have power at the switch its the switch itself (check to see if you have power on the batt post on the switch) or between the switch and the battery.
Given the apparent connection between switching on the wipers and everything dying I'd look particularly for wiper control arm and wiring that are touching. If you reported smoke or sparks I'd guess the wiper control arms cut into one of the wires to the amp meter.
But since you didn't say smoke it may be something else...
Divide and conquer! Keep checking until the problem is localized to one part of the circuit, and then replace or repair that part.
