Short circuit with instrument panel lighting

[cedave]

Finally replacing the original radio in my 1987 standard cab ranger. When trying to install the new Kenwood stereo it started to create sparks between the housing and the steel around the hole where it mounts. I've used the wiring harness adapters that Crutchfield sent with the unit and it seemed very straight forward connections. The only way it will work is if i pull out the instrument panel lights fuse.
The old stereo worked fine. How the hell is the new stereo creating a short circuit with the instrument panel lighting? Have any of you guys ever experienced this or heard of somebody with a similar issue?