OK I need one. Went out to the parking garage to plug my truck in about an hour before I left work. It was 8 deg, out with a 10mph wind. I was parked up top so no wind block. Tried for about 30 minutes and the batteries ran dead trying to start it. (Cycled the key about 4 times before each start and waited about 20 seconds after the WTS light went out)

It took two vehicles, one hooked to each battery to get it started. From 4pm to 5:40pm before she fired up. Plugged in the whole time.

Batteries are about 6 months old. Hold a charge and will start no prob if above 40. Below that, I usually plug it in. New alternator so that is fine. I knew I would have to get on the GPR and/or GPs, but I have been holding out. Not anymore. I don't want to stand in the cold anymore. It REALLY SUCKS!

So....I figure to start with the cheapest possible fix. The GPR.

I keep hearing that Stancor is the way to go. And I know you can get it online, but are there any local dealers? I like to just go buy it and put it in.

 

I couldn't find anybody local with the Stancor, so I bought the Western Snow Plow solenoid (part # 56131K -- made by Trombetta, part # 684-1221-012).

Stats are:

12V
150A continuous
800A inrush

Cost only $13 plus tax.

It's got copper contacts as opposed to the Stancor's silver alloy, but being as the stock solenoid uses copper, I figure it should work fine. It also doesn't have quite the rating as compared to the Stancor, but it should handle the glow plug draw just fine.

I only put this on very recently, but it's working well so far, and others seem to have had good results with it.

Western Snow Plow Dealers - Western US - WesternPlows.com

 

Here is the link someone had posted a while back.
I may try to find one local but this may be your best bet.

586-902 Stancor General Purpose / Industrial Relays

 

How does she start after being plugged in? If it's not firing up even after being plugged in, that sounds more like the glow plugs themselves to me.

 

How long are you plugging it in for? With the weather we are having right now (single digits all day and night), three hours is minimum for the block heater to do it's magic. I had mine plugged in for four hours this morning (about 4 degrees out) and it fired right up. Yesterday I had it plugged in for less than three and the truck was real grumpy.

My Stancor GPR is on the workbench right now waiting for some good weather and time to get it in.

 

I had her plugged in all night and she fired right up this morning...no problem. (I also found two loose battery terminals.) That is par for the course if I leave her plugged in long enough. That is why I am leaning towards the GPR. That and I can't see all 8 glow plugs going out at the same time.

Also when I went hunting and it was down in the low 20's at night, I hooked it up to a 5500 watt generator in the morning for 2 hrs and she would fire right up. If I didn't plug it in, it would take some cranks but it would eventually catch and run.

 

HA!! I drive through Centennial every day. I'll buy yer Stancor since you are willing to wait! hehe

 

It may be the GPR, but it should start up being plugged in. My GPR and ALT went out last winter and I put it on the battery charger and plugged it in every night on a timer to go on 4 hours before I left. Started no problem with no glow plugs working. Even if a couple of glow plugs are down it can make it tough to start in extreme temperatures.

 

Are you running synthetic oil? Probably yes, but have to ask, ya know? If not... make the switch.

Sounds like your GPs are probably decent given that 3hrs+ plugged in gives you an easy start, but still. ohm them puppies when you get the chance.

 

I hope to get it in this weekend. Suppose to be a balmy 40 on Sunday!

 

that's when I am going to replace my rear leaf springs.