[mmagliaro]

HEEEE LAR IOUS! I know what you mean "sounds like a Dodge".
Those 1972 Darts always had that high-pitched sound "kew-kew-kew-kew..."

Anyhoo, I looked at both types in the store. The gear reduction is 2.7" in diameter. The straight drive type is 3.5". It's a pretty easy-to-spot difference.

A quick look under my truck showed that it's NOT a gear reduction type.

The reduction type is also about 3/4" longer, in the gear area between the nose cone and the round body (the square-bodied part of the housing is longer).

It's freezing here right now, or I'd do this myself. My local dealership said they would charge me $43 in labor (reasonable) and $230 (not reasonable) for the part. Absurd. I know them well, and they have been a spectacularly reliable service place (yes, yes, I know, even though they are a dealership!). In fact, they are so good, we take our non-GM car there for all its service.
You don't find THAT at many dealerships nowadays.

Anyway, I digress. I said, "Look, I don't know how it could cost that much for a rebuilt starter (yes, $230 for a rebuilt one). I can buy that part retail at Napa, etc, for $120". He agreed it was a high price, but that's the price they charge. I asked him if I could buy myself a starter, bring it to him, and have him put it in. He said, "Absolutely. I understand completely."

So... tomorrow this'll get done. Of course, it hasn't acted up once since I bought the starter earlier this week....