The dangers of winter fronts?

[Shadrach]

Why don't you buy a Flex-a-lite electric fan. You put in on and don't worry about it. It's great if you are in an area where the temp fluctuates. It's not recommended for towing over 18k total weight. Shadrach

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Here in our area, for local winter driving in temps below 40 degrees or so, I cut a piece of 1/4 inch plywood that slips in between the intercooler and radiator - it's about 6 inches short of full width on each side, but exactly the full height. Helps the coolant heat up time significantly, and since pretty much all my winter truck driving is around town, unloaded and short haul, never any overheating issues.

 

[jeepit]

I got my grill cover from Cabelas. Winter front and a screen front. It uses snaps that are adhesive backed. Had it for 5 years now and looks like new. The screen is on whenever I take the winter cover off.



It's made by Fia. There are pics on Cabelas site. Look under Truck / Grill inserts.

I bought the same front with the screen for bugs and gravel. .

 

[steved]

It was 60*F+ here this AM... I never took my Lund WinterFronts out... truck ran all but normal temps... it would creep up under hard accel, but not exceed 212*F... under normal cruise, it was running at 203*F.



I like the winterfronts that block the grill for this reason... not as much to worry about since the rad can still get air.

 

[tgordon]

I got my grill cover from Cabelas. Winter front and a screen front. It uses snaps that are adhesive backed. Had it for 5 years now and looks like new. The screen is on whenever I take the winter cover off.



It's made by Fia. There are pics on Cabelas site. Look under Truck / Grill inserts.

Got one also. First winter I had some of the snaps come off (I think I had them to tight) so I just screwed them on and have not had a problem with it. Last time I went to my parents I left it closed the whole trip, left home at -12 and it was 25 there and no troubles. IMHO it helps with warming also as it is thicker than most items are and gives some insulating.



Hope you are happy with whatever you get.

Troy

 

[Tomscreek]

Another vote here for Erics fronts. Been using them each winter since I bought my 01 new. They have worked well and look and fit great.

 

[Jeremiah]

It ain't cold in Colorado Springs

CTD12V and you flat-lander guys in Colorado Springs, come on up the hill to Divide if you want to see cold. Here at 9,000 it gets really cold -- 20 below a few times this winter! I tried a custom-made winter front a few years ago and the only difference I saw was a faster warm-up. Now I plug in my truck when the temperature goes below 20 degrees, which is every night during the winter. She starts instantly in the morning and warms up to operating temperature in four or five miles. But I try to drive at least 15 or 20 miles before shutting her down. The engine likes me better that way.

 

[CTD12V]

Hey, this is cool this thread is still going a year later!

CTD12V and you flat-lander guys in Colorado Springs, come on up the hill to Divide if you want to see cold. Here at 9,000 it gets really cold -- 20 below a few times this winter!

Yeah, tell me about it. At least I live up on the Palmer Divide, so usually it's a little cooler up here, but we still haven't had anything really cold this winter. I still haven't done anything about a winter front . . . in fact I have only plugged the truck in once this winter. Yeah, I know, my engine is probably cursing me for all those cold starts, but between my laziness and the electric bill, I haven't been doing it like I should. I have noticed that it doesn't want to start as easy in the cold as it used to.





Thanks for all the tips and suggestions so far everyone.



CTD12V

 

[ddechris]

I made my own grill covers out of clear Lexan from the local hardware store. Cut easy with a coping saw or a table saw for long cuts. Being clear, you can't even tell they are there.



After doing some searching and reading I learned you weren't supposed to cover more that 80% of your grill openings (including the bumper). So, I made my grill covers with a 3/8" gap all the way around. This provides the needed flow, but it is well distributed so you don't get cold spots for thermal fatigue. On a 2nd gen, I just used 5/16" carriage bolts with wing nuts on the back, easy on, easy off. The bumper slots were more difficult and I only got them made last weekend. So, I haven't gotten any good testing on the whole system. I did notice that just having the upper 4 didn't seem to make a difference. But looking at the size of the bumper cutouts, they flow a lot of air. That maybe why it takes the 12V longer to warm-up.



I drive 9 miles to work, so the engine is just reaching normal operating temperature when I pull in.



I made a set for my brother's '93 and he definitely noticed the difference in warm-up and operating temperature.



Just my experience so far.

- Dave

 

[MVenditti]

On cold days I get heat soon but the engine takes a while to get to operating temp and wont stay there when idling. On older dump trucks i have driven they had automatic louvers that open and close bye the temp. Why doesn't someone make a nice chrome automatic louvered grill for diesel pickups?

 

[Jeremiah]

I've had block heaters on my gassers since 1980. A '90 Honda I owned was plugged in every night during the winter and it ran 334,000 miles before being sold. Even then, it ran as strong as it ever did and didn't use a drop of oil. Am I a believer in keeping oil warm? You might say that.

 

[AHill100]

Great thread!! I'll resurrect it since winter is coming. Can anyone post a pic of their truck with Eric's winter fronts on it?



Thanks!

 

[EricBu12]

Hey all, thanks for those who sang praises for my winter fronts. I have a classified ad out in the member basement area now.

Heres a link to my readers Rigs will all pics I have. .

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/displayalbum.php?&userid=3978&albumid=543

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I dont have any pics of the winter fronts on the grilles with the bars but they do very well with large washers behind the bars to hold them on.