Toyota Landcruiser cold start problems

Q. We have a 1988 HJ75 Toyota LandCruiser Troopcarrier 2h diesel, and we are having starting problems. This problem started last year - 2010 - just as the weather began to cool down for winter. Once you start it in the morning it will start again all day with no problems until it sits overnight, then the next morning same problem again. The only way we could get it to start was to boil the jug and pour it over the glow plugs to heat it that way. Sometimes one jug was enough, sometimes it took two jugs, so we put her into the auto electrician shop. First time they said they couldn’t find the problem, so on a second trip to the auto shop they replaced the timer (with a second-hand one, tested okay). It worked for a day or two then no go again, so back to the shop for the third trip, this time overnight so that they could test it from dead cold. They then put a switch into our dash to by-pass the timer so we had to hold the button for a count of six then turn the ignition. We also replaced the glow plugs, so now with a combination of using the jug and/or using the by-pass switch in the dash we got through the cooler/cold months of last year, then once the weather was warm again we have had no problems at all – just turn the key. Now that its cold again, we have the same problem; we have spoken to other 4WDers and shops around town. From what we have been told, we have been to one of the Toyota blokes for this town.  They have all tried hard but they don’t know what the problem is, and tell us to try what we have already done. I must mention we haven't been to Toyota itself, as the cost scares us and we would prefer to do it ourselves if we can...
 
Please can you give us any suggestions as to what this problem could be or even let us know who could help us fix it, as we have had our old girl for almost 20 years now. She's part of the family and we want to fix her so that she can continue to take us on awesome trips in our great backyard. We cant even do any overnight stuff here around home now for now... 

A. Pretty much you are on the right track. You can either spend a lot of money and get parts back in Original order. This may include new relays, timers and manifold resistor or you can put in a push button either using the Original circuit and over-ride the timer. Just need to be careful with this because the 2H had numerous glow plug systems with glow plugs ranging from 6 volts and at various voltages up to 12 volts. Obviously depending on what your 2H has in it you may glow longer or shorter. There are apparently out there some aftermarket glow plug systems that use just a timer system but don’t check the engine temp so these would glow at every start up but they are worth thinking of also if you like it automatic. Take care of that old girl!