If this old IDI was a failed design it wouldn't be still made for the military. Altough it's not my favorite engine (I'd rather get a Cummins 4BT swap instead of a N/A 6.2) it's still not a bad option.
Hey War_Wagon, weren't you who were quite obsessed with older Diesel trucks???
That's your chance to get one
Anyway I'm also favorable to manual glow-plug control switch.