This will be a long one.

First off, I'm no idiot. I would appreciate sincere replies if you believe you know what the issue might be.

Vehicle Specs:
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
4.0 |6
4wd
Automatic

Parts recently replaced:
Crank position sensor
Starter
Ignition switch
Throttle position sensor
Battery

When it happened:

Long story shortish, I race stock cars at the local dirt track. After the last race (last Saturday) I had my car loaded up on the trailer behind my Jeep. I started the Jeep with no problems, and drove it onto the track to collect my check / trophy. After about 30 minutes, it was time to go home. I got inside and went to start my Jeep. When the key was at the position inside the ignition to engage the starter (3 clicks forward) nothing happened. At that point, the key seemed to loosely float between the start and on position. I believed at the moment that the ignition switch went out. I got out, crawled underneath the Jeep, (with the key set to the on position) and used a screwdriver to jump the starter. The jeep started perfectly. A day later I replaced the ignition switch, and the same problem exists. However, the key no longer "floats" between the on and start positions. At the end of the forward most position, where the starter would normally engage, nothing happens. With this, ALL of the interior lights, headlights, and all electrical work perfectly fine.

I'm just dumbfounded after everything I have replaced and tested, the starter still does not engage with the key, but I can still "jump/ark" the starter with a screwdriver.

If you happen to hold the answer to my problem and it works, I'll donate 250 forum gold to you.

Go back through and check all of the wiring leading from the ignition to the starter. Sounds like a wire finally broke off on you and regardless of how many new ignition switches you put in it, if they are not connected to anything, they won't do jack shit. (quickest way to test would be to run jumper wires rather than gut the dash and firewall apart)

Had this happen on an old farm truck.

If that's not it, go grab a volt meter and start checking to see where you are losing power.

Yup, First thing I'd test is continuity between the key switch and the starter.

I'd also, in the meantime, wire in an external switch until you figured out the underlying problem. Makes using the vehicle a bit easier.

Put a test light on the S terminal on your starter and have someone else turn the key. If your getting power to it then might be the starter solenoid. Also check the positive and negative terminals for a lose/dirty connection.

With the above mentioned checking the starter while the key is turned to the crank position yields no voltage at all. I have come to the conclusion that there is a faulty wire somewhere. I tested the volts going to the starter fuse, both when the key is on and off, and it again shows nothing. The starter is fine as it is brand new and will start the vehicle if I get under it and jump it with a screw driver. The wire going directly from the starter to the battery has 12v, but the wire going from the solenoid to the starter isn't getting anything. I will probably end up installing a push start button very soon and driving the thing off the side of the hill.

nuetral safety switch, i almost guaranteeing it

It's an auto m8

Did these have the switch on the brake pedal in order to start? I can't remember.

my broncos have them, i would assume this does also

This