I have been talking with some friends of my about this topic for quite some time since I have a similar problem with my 97 Laramine 5.9L. We have tested fuel pressure and compression but neither was the culprit. I finally got some advice from my ASE Cert boss who had told me, when it has to crank for a long period of time to try to start it called an Extended Crank. He had suggested that I replace the crankshaft position sensor. After replacing that mine now fires on the first try.