A less "violent" method is to pull the air filter element out and spray a little WD40 into the air intake as you crank it. Then just keep spraying a controlled amount of WD40 (just enough to keep the engine going) until it picks up the fuel and runs on it's own.

WD40 doesn't create those detonation type noises the way ether does. It's much more gentle on the pistons.

Don't just spray it in the air cleaner without removing the filter element though, or the paper filter will get all oily.

 

Ether should NOT be used to start a "dry" engine, because you don't know how dry it actually is. It's always best to prime the engine, rather then running it off ether. Very dangerous stuff.

Now if you're stranded, the truck has been off for hours, and won't start because it's cold, that's a different story. You're getting fuel, you just need to add a LITTLE heat.

 

Ditto. You can also buy a replacement oil drain plug that has a built in heater element to keep your oil warm.

 

I used Ether many times to get my truck started in the winter up north after its sat in the yard for several days after a nasty -20 cold snap. Plugged in or not it woulnt start but it always made me really nervous. Usually, if we had time, we would just tow the truck into the garage and put a space heater under it for an hour or so.
Never heard of WD40. Is there anything WD40 and Ducktape won't fix?