Need winter grill cover advise..Please

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Hi all. As winter approaches Ive noticed my truck runs too cool as the outside air drops to below freezing. A friend of mine uses an old mudflap to block off most of his radiator to keep air warm. What do you guys use and what do i need to be careful about?

Thanks,

Bill 1993 W250 4x4 CC Diesel

 

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I have a 91 and bought a CarQuest winter front, summer bug screen combo when it was new. I do not know if they make them anymore but I still have mine and it looks as good as new so far. Needed to drill the grill for the snaps but that was relatively easy if you use some camo paint on the snaps for the pattern on the grill. TDR magazine in one of their articles said that you need to watch that you do not close off all the air because it has to cool the air in the inter cooler. That is probably for loaded vehicles. When it is 0 F or so I close it off all the way when first starting out and then open it up when the temp gauge comes up.

 

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Lund makes grill inserts I ordered them today. They seem to be the only ones making them for our trucks.

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93'4+4 LE emerald green Banks PowerPack,Cummins chrome

 

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There is a gap between the front of the radiator and the rear of the intercooler, just slip a piece of aluminum plate in there and the a/c condenser and intercooler will still get the cold air but the radiator won't.
Gene
92 350 4x4

 

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I also use a bug screen/ winter front combo. This about the best way to go, a few benefits, besides faster warm up and better heat, it keeps the snow out, keeps wind out, reduces heat loss after engine shut down. My front has two flaps that can be opened,I close them when the truck is parked when the temp is bellow freezing. I leave the flaps closed bellow -10c/14f, never had overheating problems. Have also noticed that the thermostat will cycle at low temperatures on the highway without the winter front in place. You probably would not need to wory about the charge air temp in real cold weather, many large trucks bypass the intercooler at low operating temps.


Neil

 

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I operate the same as Etobicoke and have the flaps closed pretty much all winter. But when it gets to about -25ish I add a cardboard in front of the rad.
Trick for me was that I made two holes in the cardboard off center of the fan. The problem was that on the highway with the cardboard in, she gets hot on the hills. With the hole in the center the clutch on the fan never feels the heat. With the holes off center, the clutch works properly and cools down for the small time I need it to.

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Jason Hoffman
Lil' Mack - 89 D250LE 5 Spd 3. 54 Reg Cab. K&N,"tweaked pump", BD Injectors, Banks Pyro/Boost, 3. 5" Exst tail section straight. E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4, PIAA 80W/80W HdLites. 100W Drv,55W Fogs. 232,500 miles (372,000 Kms) 7700 Hrs. Cummins Power Booster member.
The Original Turbo Diesel

Lil' Mack Pics

 

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Where did you guys buy the winter front for the 89-90 grill? I don't seem to be able to locate one.

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90 W250, 5-speed, isspro gauges, 16 cm2, K&N, Borgeson shaft, JRE 3" exhaust

 

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The one I have is made by FIA and should be available at a NAPA or other automotive dealer. Purchased mine at Canadian Tire, you probably don't have one near you. LOL #ad


Jeh

 

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My front is a FIA as well, had it for 9 years, I think my brother Got it for me when the truck was new. I think he purchased it from truck/van accessory store.
Neil

 

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I bought two sets of Lund inserts a year ago, one set is solid, the other perforated. In the fall the four perforated inserts are fitted, as the temp goes down, replace the two lower ones for the solid inserts. Could run with the four perforated inserts all summber but need to keep a close watch on the water temp gauge if towing. Cost of both sets was abaout $C140. Main thing to keep an eye on is the water temp if towing, be prepared to remove the lower solid inserts. Bought mine from Lordo Automotive Parts, took three days for delivery.

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Ian.

'93 D250 ext. cab. Upgraded injectors, 3. 5" exhaust, K & N filter, Xmsn oil cooler and fan, 4 gauge mount, mirror tubes reversed, RACOR fuel filter, larger transmission oil pan.