Alright, so i'd like to get some input on the problem im having here. I have an idea on what may be wrong but want to see what you guys think before i say.

On Friday morning when i went to start my truck for work to let it warm up it took an extra couple seconds of cranking before it started. Normally it fires up right away or within 1-2 seconds for cranking. After work it fired right up like normal. Then drove an hour and a half to pick up some reloading supplies. Truck ran great all the way down there and I haven't had any issues within the last year. When I went to leave I started my truck and it fired up right away but was idling at about 150rpm. Then it died and wouldn't start again. It would crank and it tried to fire but just wouldn't. I pulled the fuel line at the injectors and fuel burst out as it was under pressure. After about 20 minutes of waiting I tried again and it just cranked but had no sign of trying to start. I pulled the fuel line again and absolutely nothing came out, not a drop. I then cycled the key and nothing. I tried hitting the fuel tank while someone else cranked it and still nothing. On Saturday I went back down with a friend and we trailered it back home. I did try starting it but had no sign of trying to start. We trailered it back home and unloaded it in the yard. Today I went to push the truck forward so I can park my loner vehicle behind it and thought I'd try creaking it one more time and it instantly fired up. It runs just as it normally does and I took it around the block. I parked it back where it was and left it there as I'm not interested in getting stranded again.

The truck is a 97 1500 with 243,700 miles on it. New plugs and wires, cap and rotor, fuel pump was replaced 2 years ago, and has quite a few other new parts.

 

I would try swapping the fuel pump relay, with another one, and see if things didn't improve.

 

X2! Listen for the pump to prime the system when you turn the key to the on position. You should hear it come on for a second.

 

I had tried swapping the relays when the truck didnt start friday but still nothing. I couldnt hear the priming/ buzzing from the pump over the loud and annoying buzzer in the cab when i turn the key to the on position. I just went out and cranked the truck again about 10 minutes ago and it fired right up again.

 

Check the connectors at the PCM.

Next time it won't start, grab a friend, and check for voltage at the pump.

 

The truck continues to start everything I try. However I don't want to drive it since I know that once I go somewhere, it'll die. That's how my luck goes. I've decided to park it, and retire this truck. In a few months I'll start searching for another 2nd gen body that is in much better shape than mine, and I'm considering doing a 4bt swap.

 

Well, that's one solution.

Could always throw some tools into the truck, and have a friend follow you. Go for a drive, wait for it to quit, and then see whats missing. I know it's rather cold for that kind of behavior at the moment..... but, spring is almost here.

 

My fiancé had already approved me spending 10-15k on a newer truck this summer but I'd rather build a 2nd gen with a 4bt which I could most likely do for less than $10,000. So since my truck is beginning to become more unreliable, this is just an excellent reason to start my search for a rust free donor body!

 

Since you have a reasonable budget, look further afield for a good body. (south of you. WAY south. )

 

I'm planning on looking around Texas, Arizona, Nevada, ect. I'll start by searching for a donor truck that's out an engine or trans so that should help keep initial costs down.