I think it is likely that the glow plug relay contacts are getting burned and not allowing enough current to the glow plugs. In 22 years my '85 6.9 has gone through 5 glow plug relays, often with similar symptoms.
My F250's relay was failing by not always activating. (no click, no WTS) I think my RV's is just starting to do that too once in a great while, but it's not bad enough to bother replacing it yet. At least I don't take to take stuff apart to get to it to hit it with a screwdriver handle like on the truck's 7.3 GP system. Hitting it always helped it on the truck.