You will need someone to help you perform these tests.  First put a volt
meter across the batteries terminals (directly on the battery, not the
clamps) on the battery and have someone turn the key to start.  If the
battery voltage drops significantly (like under 8 volts) you either have a
bad battery or a short in the starter.  If you claim of having the battery
checked means you had it load tested with the result being 883 CCA, then I
would replace the starter.  If the battery voltage holds, leave the one lead
on the battery positive and move the ground lead of the meter to the
alternator case, make sure you have a good connection (showing battery
voltage) and have someone turn the key again.  If the meter now falls to
near zero, you have a bad ground, possibly where it connects to the engine
(lug near the alternator) or a bad wire itself.  If the voltage still holds,
it is time to get under the truck.  As you probably know, the starter has
two wires going to it,  The smaller one powers the solenoid and the larger
one powers the starter.  Put your meters positive lead on the smaller wire
and the ground to the starter or some other piece of clean metal and have
someone turn the key.  You should get close to battery voltage here when the
key is moved to start and if not you have a problem on the low current side.
If you get battery voltage here, move the positive lead to the large
connection and hit the key again.  Battery voltage should always be here and
if it significantly drops when the key is turned, it indicates either a bad
connection or corroded wire from the battery to this connection.  If the
voltage does not change when the key is turned, this indicates a problem
with the starter.  On the bottom of the starter there is a connection from
the solenoid to the starter windings and it has a rubber cover over it.
Connect your meter to this lead (under the cover) and have someone turn the
key again.  If no voltage or a very low voltage appears, this indicates a
bad solenoid and if full battery voltage appears, you have a bad starter.
All of these tests assume that the starter is not turning during the tests.
If the starter starts working, these tests will be meaningless and you will
need to wait until it stops working again to continue where you left off.
Good luck on your project.

Well, with the big 8 cylinders, it's a bit of a job to change the
starter. But, you're running out of choices.

Starters are case grounded. So, the surface between the starter and
the block needs to be clean.

Hi people,

1995 1500 auto 2WD 5.9

This has recently been difficult to start when cold but then starts
fine when the engine is warmed up. When cold, it just clicks a few
times and sometimes it doesn't even click. After a few tries it has so
far started but I want to fix it before it one day decides not to
start
at all.

I have had the battery checked and it rated at 883 CCA which is in
excess of the rated 875.

I have installed new terminals on the battery leads after cleaning all
wires etc. I have checked the grounding connections and every thing is
squeaky clean and tight.

I am leaning towards the starter solenoid as the starter cranks over
fine once it hooks up.

Anyone have any helpful thoughts on the problem??

Thanks in advance.

Dave