Grille inserts in winter ?

[cwarner]

Does anyone use these in the wintertime ? I see the big rigs using them is it okay for our trucks ?

Also where do you buy them ?

 

[Shovelhead]

I've been using these on mine for two years.

They work great at keep the engine temps up when it gets cold out.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...display_db_button=on&db_id=21&query=retrieval

 

[csevers]

make your own?

This is not my idea but I stole it from another tdr member. Get a sheet of plexiglass cut to fit between the rad and air to air core then cut hole in it for air flow make one in the center for the fan clutch and others around the out side test and add more hole to suit your self mine has 1 six inch hole in middle and 4 four inch holes around that diagnoly and 6 two inch hole on the a/c side of rad. With this winter front and Lund grille inserts I leave all in up till about 35 to 40 degrees and pull the inner one above that if you don't want to mess up the look of you grill this is a option.

I have forgot to pull the winter front to pull loads and this winter front does work do to the 215 degrees I got my truck up to pulling a long hill earlyer this winter so be carefull!



Just an idea

Craig

 

[illflem]

What I've found works better and costs nothing is to remove your fan for the winter. In Montana mine's removed from Oct till June.

 

[bighammer]

A roll of duct tape and an Xacto knife makes my disposable fronts. My fan is also off for the winter.

 

[fmj]

Since I live here in CA, I didn't need one all the time or was I able to take off the fan. We still get 80 degree days in Jan/Feb. I ordered one from a TDR member, Mary Ann Gettmann. I hope I spell it right. It fits between the inter cooler and radiator. When not in use it roll up and ties to the top of the radiator. Works great and I've had it in use at -15. Not cold by some of your standards.

 

[Ncostello]

I'm not sure how much good they do

I completely blocked off the entire grille from the backside (underhood). My truck has a 190 thermostat which I recently installed. The truck will warm up (guage wise) the same with or without the grille blocked off. Without blocking the bumper holes, I dont think simply blocking off the grille will help much at all. Air will still get around and up to the radiator I feel. I'd maybe like to remove the fan but dont know how it would be in city traffic without much airflow. I know right now with the grille blocked off and after hours of driving, the pass. side of the radiator is always still very cool (cold). So I know the fan is still pulling in air from everywhere else.

 

[DiTrani]

Fan?

I don't get what removing the fan does for newer trucks. Except for a minute or so after startup, mine doesn't spin unless the engine is hot enough to need it.



I don't think the winter fronts help with warm-up (remember that the thermostat isn't letting water into the radiator anyway until the engine warms), but will help keep cab heat up and keep the engine running in it's thermal efficiency range when it's really cold out. I've driven 65 mph when it was 9 deg. out and the engine stayed at it's usual ~180 deg. and cab heat was fine, so I think it'd have to be Alaska or Rocky Mountain cold to be necessary.

 

[Ladders]

My problem with

winter fronts is they block the intercooler. So I use the "expensive" cardboard between the cooler and rad w/10" hole in cntr. Forget to pull it when towing and can heat up to 200+ real quick on hills.



Just another 0/. 015$ from .....



SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[Ben Rumson]

Like mine

I made a set out of peg board backing with foam and Back Pack grade cloth pulled over the top and stapled to the back. Black plastic caps cover the holding screws and they indent the padding just enough to look real sharp.



Easy to remove with 2 wing nuts per insert.



Cummins recommends a certain amount of air flow for the intercooler. Call them at 1-800-diesels and can tell you how much. I count the holes in my front bumber as sufficient air for the intercooler.



Ran mine without the fan last winter and really liked it (quieter, and a bit more HP).



With rescent mods and towing more this year, I don't dare pull with the fan removed. If it were to start overheating, the fan would be back home in the garage. I never had a problem towing last winter with the fan off, but I was bone stock then...

 

[cwarner]

I just put my new winter front on yesterday. I purchased them from fellow TDR member Eric Buckel.

I only put one side on though, my concern is covering the intercooler. I might put the other two on but drill some holes . . opinions ???

 

[illflem]

I'd run all four of the inserts in MT with out worry, plenty of air comes in from other areas. Inserts in and fan removed from Oct-June in Montana.

I have an intake temp gauge, post intercooler intake temps don't start rising above the optimal 50°-90° until the outside temps are well into the 70s with the inserts and fanless. In fact when the temps dip below 20° the intake air is too cold.

 

[Ben Rumson]

I'm with Illflem.



Run with all 4 installed. Enough air comes in through the holes in your bumper to adequately air the intercooler. Yes, you could add a few more holes in the covers if you wanted, but that's not necessary. Run it for a while before cutting holes in them. You may find them just fine like they are now.



Personally, I'd error on the side of getting your engine up to running temp as quick as possible (to help prevent premature wear) than to have too much cold air working against you and slowing down the warm up period.



I've only had one time (when pulling at GVW and 9k feet) that I actually got out and removed the top 2 inserts for more air flow. Under normal highway speeds while towing, my temps are very good even with all 4 inserts.



I bought a pair from Eric as well - for my Dad's truck.