Used to drive an International powered school bus. No glow plugs. Just hold that starter on until she turned over. Granted, you wouldn't want to be standing behind the bus during said event.
TDI - supposedly GPs are firing on new ones as soon as you open driver's door - thus the short wait before actually cranking. I think the new CDI is now also firing GPs as soon as drivers' door is open. In any case, the wait is short.

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Barker