Think I finally found the right place to ask this!

2003 F-250. First sign of electrical trouble a few months ago when the cruise control went out, then back on, now out for good. Now the radio and odometer and gas gauge will all be off (and the check engine light on) at start-up and then come on a few seconds to minutes later. No problems with headlights or interior lights or horn. SOMETIMES when I push on the buttons on the right side of the wheel for the cruise control the "on" indicator light on the dash panel with blink on/off, but it won't actually activate c/c function.

Do these problems sound related to a single part or wiring failure to any of you? Perhaps chafing in steering column wires? Already checked all the fuses in the interior box (not under the hood yet) and replaced two bad ones, which turned out not to have anything to do with these problems (frustrating!). Haven't checked any relays yet. Problems began very soon after I beat the living hell out of the truck on a 4WD track I never should have attempted.