Hmmm... My vote is starter brushes and contacts.. But don't rule out weak cables and terminals...

 

Put em in last August.

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Shouldn't take more than a 1/2 hr to drop the starter. Could a weak field cause it to drag it's *** to?

 

I just got done doing some write up on this...

Diagnosis & Testing - Starter Motor
Correct starter motor operation can be confirmed by performing the following free running bench test. This test can only be performed with starter motor removed from vehicle. Refer to Starter Specifications for starter motor specifications.

(1) Remove starter motor from vehicle. Refer to Starter Motor Removal and Installation.
(2) Mount starter motor securely in a soft-jawed bench vise. The vise jaws should be clamped on mounting flange of starter motor. Never clamp on starter motor by field frame.
(3) Connect suitable volt-ampere tester and 12-volt battery to starter motor in series, and set ammeter to 100 ampere scale (250 ampere scale for diesel engine starters). See instructions provided by manufacturer of volt-ampere tester being used.
(4) Install jumper wire from solenoid terminal to solenoid battery terminal. The starter motor should operate. If starter motor fails to operate, replace faulty starter motor assembly.
(5) Adjust carbon pile load of tester to obtain free running test voltage. Refer to Specifications for the starter motor free running test voltage specifications.
(6) Note reading on ammeter and compare this reading to free running test maximum amperage draw. Refer to Specifications for starter motor free running test maximum amperage draw specifications.
(7) If ammeter reading exceeds maximum amperage draw specification, replace faulty starter motor assembly.

Diagnosis & Testing - Starter Motor Solenoid
This test can only be performed with starter motor removed from vehicle.
(1) Remove starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor Removal and Installation.
(2) Disconnect wire from solenoid field coil terminal.
(3) Check for continuity between solenoid terminal and solenoid field coil terminal with continuity tester (Fig. 7). There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step 4. If not OK, replace faulty starter motor assembly.
(4) Check for continuity between solenoid terminal and solenoid case (Fig. 8). There should be continuity. If not OK, replace faulty starter motor assembly.



The starter feed circuit test (voltage drop method) will determine if there is excessive resistance in high-amperage feed circuit. For complete starter wiring circuit diagrams, refer 8, Wiring Diagrams. When performing these tests, it is important to remember that voltage drop is giving an indication of resistance between two points at which voltmeter Example: When testing resistance of battery positive cable, touch voltmeter leads to battery positive cable clamp and cable connector at starter solenoid. If you probe battery positive terminal post and cable connector at starter solenoid, you are reading combined voltage drop in battery positive cable clamp-to terminal post connection and battery positive cable. The following operation will require a voltmeter accurate to 1/10 (0.10) volt. Before performing tests, be certain that following procedures are accomplished:

• Battery is fully-charged and load-tested.
• Fully engage parking brake.
• If equipped with manual transmission, place gearshift selector lever in Neutral position and block clutch pedal in fully depressed position. If equipped with automatic transmission, place gearshift selector lever in Park position.
• Verify that all lamps and accessories are turned off.
• To prevent a gasoline engine from starting, remove Automatic ShutDown (ASD) relay. To prevent a diesel engine from starting, remove Fuel Pump Relay. These relays are located in Power Distribution Center (PDC).

1. Connect positive lead of voltmeter to battery negative terminal post. Connect negative lead of voltmeter to battery negative cable clamp (Fig. 2). Rotate and hold ignition switch in Start position. Observe voltmeter. If voltage is detected, correct poor contact between cable clamp and terminal post. Note: If equipped with a dual battery system (diesel), procedure must be performed twice, once for each battery.
2. Connect positive lead of voltmeter to battery positive terminal post. Connect negative lead of voltmeter to battery positive cable clamp (Fig. 3). Rotate and hold ignition switch in Start position. Observe voltmeter. If voltage is detected, correct poor contact between cable clamp and terminal post. Note: If equipped with a dual battery system (diesel), this procedure must be performed twice, once for each battery.
3. Connect voltmeter to measure between battery positive terminal post and starter solenoid battery terminal stud (Fig. 4). Rotate and hold ignition switch in Start position. Observe voltmeter. If reading is above 0.2 volt, clean and tighten battery cable connection at solenoid. Repeat test. If reading is still above 0.2 volt, replace faulty battery positive cable.
Note: If equipped with a dual battery system (diesel), this procedure must be performed on driver side battery only
4. Connect voltmeter to measure between battery negative terminal post and a good clean ground on engine block (Fig. 5). Rotate and hold ignition switch in Start position. Observe voltmeter. If reading is above 0.2 volt, clean and tighten battery negative cable attachment on engine block. Repeat test. If reading is still above 0.2 volt, replace faulty battery negative cable. Note: If equipped with dual battery system (diesel), this procedure must be performed twice, once for each battery.
5. Connect positive lead of voltmeter to starter housing. Connect negative lead of voltmeter to battery negative terminal post (Fig. 6). Rotate and hold ignition switch in Start position. Observe voltmeter. If reading is above 0.2 volt, correct poor starter to engine block ground contact.
Note: If equipped with a dual battery system (diesel), this procedure must be performed on driver side battery only.
6. If equipped with dual battery system (diesel), connect positive lead of voltmeter to driver side battery positive cable clamp. Connect negative lead of voltmeter to passenger side battery positive terminal post. Rotate and hold ignition switch in Start position. Observe voltmeter. If reading is above 0.2 volt, clean and tighten passenger side battery positive cable eyelet connection at driver side battery positive cable clamp bolt. Repeat test. If reading is still above 0.2 volt, replace faulty passenger side battery positive cable.

The whole thing at...
Voltage Drop

and...

Starter