Well, for the first time in a few years, the Monty refused to start for me. It ran just fine a few days ago, but when I went to go start it today, I got nothing. I turned the key, everything looked like normal on the dash, but didn't get anything from the starter, no cranking, no nothing. The voltmeter gauge was reading below 12, so I decided to jump start it. That didn't work either, got the same result, no start, no clicking, no turning over, nothing. I checked the batter with my multi-meter, and it was reading 12.9 volts, so it shouldn't be the battery.

There isn't any kind of switch that's engaged by depressing the clutch, is there? From what I remember, if the truck's in neutral, it can be started, so that should suggest there's no switch involved that would require depressing the clutch pedal every time?

Any ideas on what to look for would be appreciated!

R & R starter. Two bolts, one nut for the battery cable, one plug for the solenoid power. Bout 20 minute job with practice.

well if it would pull start i would look at the igniter in the dizy. along with do the above to starter.

Check for corrosion (or blown) around the fuseable links

I'll check the starter, and see if there's any loose wires down there. Where would the fuseable links be located? Hopefully it's something as simple as a loose wire, since it was running fine just a few days ago.

Have you tried giving the starter solenoid some love taps with a hammer?

Checked the fuseable links by the battery, they're all good. Crawled underneath and checked the connections on the starter, they're good. Tried to start the Monty, nothing. Crawled back underneath, gave the solenoid a few whacks with a small hammer, tried to start it again, and viola, she starts! I let it idle while I put my tools away, then took her for a short drive. Parked in front of the house, turned it off, waited a few seconds, went to start it again, nothing. Walked back to the garage, got the small hammer, tapped the solenoid, got it to start again. This time, I turned it off, waited a few seconds, then turned it on again, did this for several cycles, then it wouldn't start at all, even after a few taps with the hammer.

So, I think my starter/solenoid is done. I'm going to check the local auto parts places for prices on a replacement unit, and wait until tomorrow to pull it. It's been a while since I've done one of these, but the first thing I should do is disconnect the battery, yes? Then should I try and disconnect the wires/cable at the starter while it's still mounted, or after? I would imagine re-assembly is the reverse of removal, i.e. the last thing I should do is re-attach the battery cables?

Yes. Top bolt on the starter is not easy. best way I've found is about 3' of extensions with wobble ends and go in over the back end of the tcase chain housing. Others have used flex head ratchet box end wrenches with success, but I didn't own those the last time I did a 2.6 starter...

I tried every manner of tool combinations to get that top starter bolt before I finally broke down, bought 3' of extensions, and laid into it with a breaker bar from back behind the tcase. Make it easy on yourself. Get 3' of extensions and get it done.

Push comes to shove, I have a good, if not filthy, 2.6 starter in a box in my garage from when I was dealing with a similar issue. Mine turned out to be a corroded battery lead. My loss. Your gain. I can't imagine it would be too much to ship, but I'd be happy to let you have it for actual shipping, sir.

Good luck.

3' of extensions? Yikes! I'm going to assume these would be 1/2" drive extensions, with a 1/2" breaker bar, or would 3/8" drive be sufficient? What size bolt is that on the starter? Since I have to get some extensions, might pick up an extra socket or two while I'm at it.