What I like so far about my new truck or don’t?

[NIsaacs]

Do the shutters block this much air flow?

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The shutters are designed to reduce aero drag going down the road. Ram includes the winter fronts with their cold weather group, for good reason. I agree they are not needed as much as pre emission trucks but at -30 they absolutely make a difference, especially on an unloaded truck thats not towing anything.

Disclaimer...I live in Arizona

I would think at operating temps the shutters are wide open. I have never used a winter front. It always seemed a backward way to control engine temp. With all the electronic controls used in the new trucks, I would think a hot radiator would confuse the fan sensor, among other things. It seems like the thermostat would be open more to try and regulate the coolant temps to normal and would actually slow the flow to the cab heater for no net gain in heat.

 

[AH64ID]

Winter fronts do a great job at keeping engine and cab heat up, both running, while parked at a store/work, and when using a block heater. While I don’t know how much the shutters play a difference the winter front has been valuable on my 05 and 18 and I’d run one on the newer trucks too.

As far as exhaust brake and fast idle yes they can work together, but the ECM already provides more back pressure to the motor when it’s cold than when it’s warm so I don’t often do it. Too much back pressure on a cold motor can push door into the oil. On the rare event I feel the need to use the EB for warmup I wait until the coolant is at least 100°.

 

[NIsaacs]

I don't see anything in the owner's manual about the shutters. Maybe they don't work like I think they do. I do notice they don't close on a cold start until somewhere less than 30F.

The book does recommend a winter front for cold weather operation, that surprised me. I wonder if that is a Ram or Cummins thing or both?

 

[JR]

I have one but have only used it a few times. With EGR they are much better than the gen2's. Needed even less when towing. But I've been in -30 weather and colder and was glad I had it.

Tip - if it's been sitting under the back seat at those temps don't even bother getting it out, it won't go on
Even at house hold temps you only have a few minutes to get it on or the struggle is on.

 

[kthaxton]

I typically put my winter front on in late December and it stays there until late February-ish. It makes a very noticeable difference in how quickly it warms up.

 

[Ozymandias]

I always used a winter front on the RAM for our winter journeys, that block takes forever to heat up and cools down fast even while driving down long grades.
Without a proper load, that means a trailer, this engine isn't happy during winter time.

 

[Turbo Terry]

I have the cold front but have not installed it

 

[bcbender]

yeah... Ive never needed a cold front, but then it rarely gets below 32F here in NC.. and when it does its not for long periods of time.. High idle warms it quick and drive slo and easy for a few miles... My 04 I used the EB to warm it or the heater when we had the few colder days.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I use to remove the fan from my 98 12v and keep it behind my seat. Spring would roll around and I would get caught in a town in stop n go and have to pull over and screw it back on.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Well the x brake does nothing I can see when the fast idle is on

 

[AH64ID]

Well the x brake does nothing I can see when the fast idle is on

The truck already closes it some so the difference is minimal and harder to hear at fast idle.

 

[JR]

Well the x brake does nothing I can see when the fast idle is on

On a cold or hot engine? The warmer the engine coolant the less it will restrict the turbo.

 

[Bug Out]

They've never come with a locking gas cap.

I believe GENO's has one. I have one on my truck, 2020. Pricey, but worth it..

 

[kthaxton]

I believe GENO's has one. I have one on my truck, 2020. Pricey, but worth it..

Yes, there's several aftermarket ones available, my point to the OP was that they never came from the factory with locking caps just like the current ones do not now...it isn't specific to the "capless" systems.

 

[dkosheba]

TO change to topic a bit, the biggest thing I don't like about my 2021 Ram Cummins is the washer fluid pump. Every vehicle I have owned, 5 previous Rams, Chargers, Jeeps, all spray the instant you pull wiper to mist. This new truck cycles a full out and back on wiper, with dry windshield before it begins spraying fluid, and then it seems a little weak in performance. Kinda like my getting older...
only 4K on clock in 6 months, so not sure when I will spend much time under the hood to see if I can find a leak point or explanation to this delay in spray. Anyone else with 20-21 Ram see the same thing?

 

[Turbo Terry]

Yes the owners manuel does say the exhaust brake does help warm up the truck. Seat belt chime disconnect is not working fo me. I will keep trying. I would like the turn indicator to be louder and will look for a aftermarket one to plug in. Old ears need help. Trying to understand this new truck. That and running the snow blower should keep me busy all winter. We just got another 4-5 inches

 

[Turbo Terry]

Found one Daeco Turn Alarm #607. About $35 I had one in my old very loud 99 and found very helpful

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Found one Daeco Turn Alarm #607. About $35 I had one in my old very loud 99 and found very helpful

Are you sure there's a flasher relay in the truck? My '03 doesn't have one as it's built in to the cluster.

 

[AH64ID]

Likely not a flasher relay.

 

[Ozymandias]

Sure not, they are gone for decades now.