Review: Wigidigit Block Heater Plug

[firefighter_2000]

*Note* I copied this message from the 2nd gen post I made. It applies also to the 3rd gens. The contents are basically the same, the plates are different. The 3rd gen pics are at the bottom.



I recently purchased the "Wigidigit" block heater bumper plug from Genos Garage. Apparently they've done some re-designing on the cord/cable and I can potentially see a problem, but I'll go over that farther down.

Enjoy

Craig



The complete contents as shipped. There are two plates that sandwich the bumper between them. When installing one, make sure to install it near the center of the opening and make sure the fit is right. I initially had it closer to the left and it didnt fit as well. Got the plates put together loosely with the screws & nuts and then figured out where exactly it fit best.

#ad




The end of the plug that goes on the block heater. It comes with a clamp to hold tension and prevent it from sliding off instead of the one that has the knurled nut to hold it on. Not a BAD design, but its not the same as the one that has the nut on it.

#ad




The OTHER end of the plug that goes through the metal plate. This is the part I have somewhat of a problem with. Its not servicable, and the cord doesnt appear to be able to be removed without taking the end of the plug apart. Looks like if the cord goes bad, you have to replace the entire thing. If Im not mistaken, the old ones had to be wired in. MY idea of a good design would be a plug that has a short pigtail (heavy duty) coming out of the back of the plate plug and you just plug in a regular block heater cord. That way if something happens to the cord, its easily replacable. Thats just my two cents.

#ad




The plug cover. I HOPE that its something I can find easily or get from the manufacturer, because I can see snapping the cover off. I kinda wish mine was like the older one with the rubber plug, BUT this one is nice that you dont have to actually fiddle around with snapping the rubber plug back in the hole. I've been careful to hold the cover up, unplug, and gently let the cover down.

#ad




Couple of pics installed and with the cord plugged in. I really like it. MUCH easier than just having the plug hanging out.

#ad




#ad




#ad




#ad






I also put one of these on the 06 Mega cab. Basically the same box contents except for the plate. The 3rd gens use a bumper fascia retaining bolt to attach the plate. The rest of the contents are the same as the 99.



#ad




#ad

 

[RideSlow2004]

I like mine. Have the line on a heavy duty timer, comes on around 3 am, and by 515 am, starts up fine, sometimes the preheat grids don't even come on.

 

[tolmsted]

Firefighter, thanks for your service.



I recently installed a bumper plug also. I had been looking at the big rigs on the road and noticed that some have it mounted under the drivers cab door and they where chrome plated. So I hit a local big rig truck shop and purchased one. I mounted it on the right side of my ARB front bumper. I've used it a few times when I was up in the mountains last month and I couldn't be happier and wonder why I had not installed it sooner. Much easier to use then the loose plug out front.

Some day I'll learn how to post a picture.



Cheers, Tom