radiator cover for winter

[DCrom]

I have a 2005 and want to cut some cardboard to cover the radiator for winter. I remember reading the dimensions for my 1997 that had a square cut in the center for air flow through the intercooler it worked well. I just want to do the same for my 2005. Thanks. Dan.

 

[Bob4x4]

Ericbu12 makes winter fronts that will last years not days

 

[rscurtis]

I have a set for my signature truck that work great. They aid in warm-up and help to keep the engine clean in bad weather. For light load use, don't worry about the intercooler, you don't even need it. Leave the AC condenser open in case you need defrost on a damp day.

 

[JR]

I made a set out of light gauge stainless to block my grill. I have the other 2 pieces to completely block it off when its really cold out. Just last week when Sandy was blowing through our parts i had to make a road trip down to Cincinnatti to deliver a car for my cousin. It was pouring rain the entire 300+ miles each way with low 40 degree temps. I ran just like the pic above with half my fronts on and my truck barely maintained 190 degrees the entire way down. This was with my 22 ft tilt and a mustang on the back. Im sure i could have put the other side on and been completely fine.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I kind of like the one I got soon after I got on site from Geno's

 

[JR]

BIG, what is the bottom for does it tuck down behind the bumper and fasten to something?

 

[BIGNASTY]

Ya I put mine down in back of the bumper and just left that part open. I had winter fronts on my BIG TRUCKS and this is as good or better than any of them. I leave the bottom rolled up unless im going thru snow so deep that im plowing with the truck then I will close it up I have put hooks on the bottom of the Winter front to the bumper so it can breath without getting snow packed in there. I try to stay away from doing that but YOU know MT it can snow so fast its not even funny and if your caught out ya got to get to where ever you need to. Have one like it that we had made for the wife's chevy conversion its almost a must have with it when the cummins was dropped in we had a GIANT radiator made if you dont close it up in the winter it will run cold even thou it has a Espar heater on it.

 

[DNDracing]

I will second the recommendation from BIGNASTY on the cover from Geno's. Going on the 3rd winter with mine in Michigan, fits good and no rips, tears, or issues.

The bottom just tucks down behind the bumper, does not attach to anything, only attaches at the top with some hooks on elastic straps. I was skeptical with nothing holding it down on the bottom, but I guess the hood/grille, and wind hold in in place. I used a couple different kinds (including a couple winters with cardboard, which held up extremely well), and I would highly recommend the cover from Geno's. Makes a difference too, truck warms up much faster.

 

[GaryOwen]

I think the size opening is supposed to be 12" x 12". I've been using the same piece of cardboard for several years, but winters are pretty mild here.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I would highly recommend the cover from Geno's. Makes a difference too, truck warms up much faster.

If you want it warm when you open the door and I think the trucks run so much better even AFTER they warm up try one of the Espar Heaters for your rig. One of the Canadian Boys (shad I think) turned me on to them I DONT KNOW HOW PEOPLE LIVE WITHOUT THEM.

 

[JJPage]

View attachment 83125

I made a set out of light gauge stainless to block my grill.

I like this style also, mine are black plastic, purchased these from the dealer accessory department when I bought my truck. They are on and off in 5 minutes and easily stored.

 

[JR]

I like this style also, mine are black plastic, purchased these from the dealer accessory department when I bought my truck. They are on and off in 5 minutes and easily stored.

I didnt know these are a dealer item, the whole time I thought I was doin it the redneck way :-laf

Ive used 2 or 3 or 4 of the sections depending on weather and load it is a good way to "govern" the air coming in. Ill run at least 2 of them from early November through mid to late April even in 40* temps with nothing on the front my truck will not maintain temp.

JJ, are those Toyo's on your rig? They look similar to my duratracs, except mine are tucked in more and not as wide from the looks of yours. I do a good bit of offroading, pulling trailers with oilfield equip for a friend a few months a year and they are a great tire. Thats a nice looking truck.

 

[JR]

Ill have to check into these heaters you mentioned, BIG. Ive not heard of them before.

 

[JJPage]

I didnt know these are a dealer item, the whole time I thought I was doin it the redneck way :-laf
Ive used 2 or 3 or 4 of the sections depending on weather and load it is a good way to "govern" the air coming in. Ill run at least 2 of them from early November through mid to late April even in 40* temps with nothing on the front my truck will not maintain temp.
JJ, are those Toyo's on your rig? They look similar to my duratracs, except mine are tucked in more and not as wide from the looks of yours. I do a good bit of offroading, pulling trailers with oilfield equip for a friend a few months a year and they are a great tire. Thats a nice looking truck.

Yup, Toyo's. They do stick out too far, 5. 5" back spacing is not quite enough to keep the splatter off the truck's sides. Thanks for the compliment.

 

[JR]

I had the same problem and I only run 285 75 tires. I put a set of bushwacker fender flares on (I believe they are 3") and it solved alot of that. I pull them off once a year (should do it twice) and clean, wax and put a coat of fluid film around the fender edges to keep them from rusting.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Ill have to check into these heaters you mentioned, BIG. Ive not heard of them before.

http://www.espar.com/html/applications/truck.html

Just click on automotive section. I still have an elect. Plug on mine more and more places in town have elect. poles at the curb so you can plug in if you want. The Espar's are NICE FOR SURE.

http://www.rainx.com/product/windshield-washer-fluid/rain-x-de-icer-windshield-washer-fluid/

Something else I use and really like. It makes it nice so the windows are clear when driving in wet snow or sleet I dont like the Rain X wiper blades they work but do not last VERY LONG at all I dont know if it's THEM or just something about the MT conditions that uses them up so fast.


http://www.walmart.com/ip/17420436?...1=g&wl2=&wl3=18148885270&wl4=&wl5=pla&veh=sem
Dont usually need one because of the Eapar Heater but this is one Kick A** ice scraper Pard

 

[AH64ID]

I run the MOPAR winter front. It's similar in design to the Geno's one.

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[JR]

Those are pretty slick, BIG. I see on the ones for the big rigs they plumb the fuel to them to fire the heaters. Is this how yours is too? I know you said you have elec hook up just wondering if they have both options?

 

[BIGNASTY]

The Espar does use the tank fuel to run its so little it makes no difference really I always fill my tanks with fuel if the truck is going to sit for any length of time anyway, so the amount it runs on it would take all winter to use my 100 gal capacity of fuel. I have both set ups on mine I have the factory elect heater for the motor but rarely use it because of the draw on our solar system but I do have that option. I used it last week at the Sons house and shut off the Espar for the night. I like the Espar better the windows are frost free the cab heat is nice to get into ,and like I said I think it runs better being warm all the time rather than waiting for it to warm up normally that takes a LONG TIME when it's REALLY cold.



BIG

 

[Shadrach]

I have both the Mopar winter front ( and a custom made bug screen to match for the summer ) as well as the Espar. The Espar is rated at just over 17,000 BTU vs the 750 Watt block heater. IIRC thats about 6 time the heat of the block heater. For those who don't know about these they are designed to preheat the engine, just like a block heater would do, but runs on diesel fuel. If you don't have a plug in where you work or are away skiing for example you just program the timer to come on before are to leave ( a max of 2 hours ) and when you start the engine it is already warm ( max 160*F ). The temp will be determined by the outside air temp. Even if it only heated your engine to 70* and it say -20 out thats a lot better than starting a cold engine.

Espar make a version specifically for the 03-09 Dodges. It bolts to the tabs on the inside left frame rail just in front of the fuel tank. You don't have to drop the tank to install a fuel pick up tube. It sucks fuel from the sender by installing a "Y" in the fuel line. You just pull off the line on the sender that goes to the engine and install the "Y". You will need to keep your tank at least a 1/4 full in order for it to work, but in the winter you shouldn't let it get low anyway. If you leave your heater mode on defrost and the fan on low it will not only warm up the cab but helps keep you windshield clear also. WARNING Don't leave the fan on high as the heater running for 2 hours will more than likely kill the batteries. It will work on 4 th gens also but since their wiring is different the cab heat part will not work. I asked Espar why and they told me Dodge stopped giving them wiring diagrams. You can use the universal one on older Dodges or any diesel powered vehicle or machine.

It comes with a 24 hour timer, although you can get a 7 day version also. If I wish to leave home at 7 AM I would, depending on how cold it is, set the timer to come on 1 or 2 hours before. When I get to work I push the preset button on the timer for the second starting time and it comes on at 3 so that when I leave at 4 PM again I am not starting a cold engine. There is a third preset time also.

I've used mine even in the summer sometimes. Say I am camping in a valley and it is cool in the morning I hit the manual start button and let it run for half an hour or so while I am getting ready. That way I am not pulling the hill with a cold engine.

They do cost a few bucks, up here they are over a grand but my engine is worth it.

Can you tell I love this thing BTW I detest remote car starters as all they do is encourage people to let their vehicles idle and you are still starting a cold engine. With a modern diesel idling will never warm up the engine as it need heat to burn the fuel efficiently.

Oh yeh getting back to winter fronts the Mopar or Geno's version are IMHO the better style as you can open or close at will, compared to grille inserts. Shad