When starting, is it normal for our trucks to heistate for split second before turning over when the key held on the "start" position for split second longer ?

I've been having this "heistation" during starting. Sometime its so bad that it barely turns over. I've been trying to trouble shoot it with Dave's (TRDOLMan) help.

We experiemented with my truck, Dave's truck and Sean's (URD Turbo truck ). The conclusion was that the hesitation between cranking and starting is some what "normal". This hesitation is extended if you hold the keys to the "Start" position for a split second longer. You can induce this hestitation if you start your truck several times in a row...if you want to try for yourself .Dave being a nice guy he is, demostrated that it has to do with how long you hold the key in the "start" position by starting his truck, and then holding the key to the "stat" position again. You hear a horrible metal on metal grinding noise (nothing new) and the did engine did hesitates. We tried it on my truck and it completely stalled...probably cause I have a 5 sp. I don't know it proves anything.

Dave came out up with a couple solutions. I could do one of two things to prevent this: #1 Hold the key in the "start" position shorter i.e. quickly letting go when you feel the truck start to turn over 2. Give a little gas when cranking.

Well, a week later I'm still getting this extended hesitation (intermittenly) and sometime it will barely turn over and to me it doesn't seem normal. Giving it a little gas works but I don't want to have to gas every time I start my truck. With #1 (Hold the key in the on "start" position shorter i.e. quickly letting go when you feel the truck start to turn over), sometimes you have to hold it on the "start" position longer because its still cranking and you can't let go or it wont start.

Maybe I'm just too anal or paranoid and this is "normal" I just wanted get more opinions on this to see if there is actually a problem or its just the way it is with my truck

Thanks,

Jim


BTW:

I only have about 51,000 miles on my truck (so starter should be fine ?). My truck properly tuned, with .043 gapped iridum spark plugs, with TB and MAF sensor cleaned. It also idles as suggested in FSM. Coolant bypass for TB. Battery also is fine.
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Jim

2003 4x4 V6 TRD
SC with URD kit, Aquamist 2D, 2.2 Gen 2 Super Grip Pulley, Donahoe Coilovers, Camburg UCAs, Deaver Leaf Pack, Goodyear MTR 265/75/16, Alpine 9830, Sirius Sat. Alp1., Corbeau Legacy Seats