Operating temp do I need a blanket (Anchorage)

[TMcDowell]

Since it has gotten cold highs in the low twenties my truck never fully warms up in stop and go driving and takes forever to warm up on the highway. I'm suspecting a stuck thermostat but was wondering if anyone else had this problem before I went to the dealer and figured maybe I just need a blanket to block the radiator. I also have a juice and have no idea how mod friendly they are where I live now as we recently moved. I may just replace it myself If I can find a garage in the anchorage area. Thanks



Todd

 

[Slow Six]

Sounds about normal. There is a lot of coolant and a big mass of iron to heat up and if the little cumapart is not working it does not make much heat. A winter front definitely helps a lot. I have had a lot of different winter fronts and the best one I have had so far is from Alaska Tent & Tarp. They are super people to deal with. A phone call and the plastic number and one will be on its way. Fit is good and installation is easy plus the size of the opening is adjustable for varying conditions.

 

[Double J]

I would definitely recommend some cold fronts and plugging in until temps get back up above 45 or so... any little bit helps when it comes to warming these things up.



Plugged in and cold fronts= the temp needle moving about five miles down the road for me.

 

[MCrossley]

we don't get those temps here but I posted a link about cold weather here the Mopar kit is pretty nice... .

 

[AMink]

Did that link get locked, MCrossley? It says I don't have permission to view it. Anyway, I always wondered if the winter fronts make it harder to keep EGT's low. They block the intercooler, don't they?

 

[MCrossley]

looks like the good ol moderators are up!

I was informed my post violated TDR guideline as I posted in referene to selling something so it is gone. I cannot believe some of the things that people get away with on here but yet I am trying to help those out in the cold and I get shut down, go figure... . The funny part is that I am not even the one who is selling, i was just going to give contact info. Anyhow here are 2 pics of my truck with the front cover closed and open, if you have further ?'s please PM me so I do not get into trouble again. Thanks

 

[MCrossley]

You are correct it closes off the front so that either no or limited amounts of air are available to the engine, as you can see in my post above they have velcro flaps that you can adjust to suit the temperature and driving conditions, pretty cool actually... .

Did that link get locked, MCrossley? It says I don't have permission to view it. Anyway, I always wondered if the winter fronts make it harder to keep EGT's low. They block the intercooler, don't they?

 

[AK RAM]

... . have no idea how mod friendly they are where I live now as we recently moved.

You only have two dealers to choose from (in case you haven't found them already). Neither are very mod friendly, or very good at what they do. I wouldn't expect much if you use them.



Ditto what everyone else suggested. A cold front at our current temps will help a lot.

 

[Sled Dog]

I was informed my post violated TDR guideline as I posted in referene to selling something so it is gone. I cannot believe some of the things that people get away with on here but yet I am trying to help those out in the cold and I get shut down, go figure... . The funny part is that I am not even the one who is selling, i was just going to give contact info. Anyhow here are 2 pics of my truck with the front cover closed and open, if you have further ?'s please PM me so I do not get into trouble again. Thanks

I agree. But start a thread on Kore and it becomes an Infomercial.

 

[MCrossley]

Thank You that is an example of what I am talking about! I guess the threads have to get heated and start name calling in order to protect them from being removed... Anyhow back to the subject finding a mod friendly dealer is hard some of the service managers are just scared to touch moded trucks because they are afraid of what Chrysker will do to them; the funny part is that the Chrysler reps in many cases do not care as long as their is no funny business... .

 

[KBertetto]

You only have two dealers to choose from (in case you haven't found them already). Neither are very mod friendly, or very good at what they do. I wouldn't expect much if you use them.



Ditto what everyone else suggested. A cold front at our current temps will help a lot.

No question about it, these two dealerships are lackluster at best... I think the one on 5th is the worse of the two. I have a cold front on mine, it's just the stainless steel plates that mount on the grill. I work on Elmendorf, commute from Lake Otis/Dowling (about 8 or 9 miles) so by the time I get to the post road gate it's warmed up... maybe not all the way but close. Before the cold front the temp gauge wouldn't even move, especially if I didn't have it plugged in.



Bert

 

[juicedcummins]

I had the cloud-rider inserts for the grill before the mopar front came out. The inserts do very little compared to the mopar front. The inserts are for looks and the mopar keeps it warm.

 

[MCrossley]

Yes I was very impressed with how nice the mopar cover is, I really did not expect it to be that fancy. It has straps that go into the slots on the fenders, velcro flaps that go around the battery cable, flat hooks that go down under the front sheet metal supports and when you do all of that it is nice and snug, the pictures I took do not even have the bottom hooks attached and it was already stable, I will be trying it out in a few weeks in teh snow and see how it all goes... .

 

[KBertetto]

I had the cloud-rider inserts for the grill before the mopar front came out. The inserts do very little compared to the mopar front. The inserts are for looks and the mopar keeps it warm.

I agree that the Mopar is a better cover overall for retaining heat. But to say the inserts are for looks is only half right. Yes they do look good, but when it's -20 up here they make a world of difference as far as my truck blowing warm air out the vents.



Bert

 

[RMalone]

You don't need the dealer to install the Mopar winter front, radiator cover... whatever it's called. 10 min the first time you do it (only because the instructions suck), and 3 min the second time. Yeah it does help warm 'em up, especially if you also plug in. They do cover the intercooler and that is also a good thing when it's cold, remember the early first gens don't even have intercoolers. I can't beleive they aren't stock on Alaska trucks!!

 

[TMcDowell]

Thanks for all the replies looks like I'll be getting a cold front in the near future took a ride down to Girdwood today and truck didnt warm up until we were out of Anchorage coming from Boniface and Debarr. Also will be trying to stay away from the dealers up here I guess I'll keep my fingers crossed that I don't need to visit them for anything. Thanks again.



TMcD

 

[AZiegler]

TMcD

I took a ride to Petersville on Saturday (along with the rest of Anchorage) pulling my enclosed snowmobile trailer loaded. I never reached full operating temps on the way up or back. I was getting enough heat out of the motor to keep me comfortable but not any more than that. I will be ordering one of the blankets to help this out.



Andy Z

 

[Double J]

TMcD

I took a ride to Petersville on Saturday (along with the rest of Anchorage) pulling my enclosed snowmobile trailer loaded. I never reached full operating temps on the way up or back. I was getting enough heat out of the motor to keep me comfortable but not any more than that.

Andy Z

So basically what you're saying is... the Cummins didn't even break a sweat.

 

[Suprmn]

You should be able to get some cardboard and slip it in between the radiator and the intercooler if you really want to separate the two. I lived in Anchorage 24 years and always had most of my radiator, and sometimes all of my radiator blocked for the winter. You just have to remember it is that way if you ever do any heavy pulling. Otherwise, the diesel is a cold ride around town.

 

[AZiegler]

DoubleJ



I hadn't thought of it that way but you are correct! I would like to make it sweat a bit more though.



Andy Z