Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) winter front

[FDNYMOPARGUY]

Anyone know how much of the radiator is supposed to be covered by a winter front? Temps in northeast are gonna be pretty cold this next week. I was gonna do the cardboard thing for now. At 20 degrees the thermostat was working overtime, constantly opening and closing on my 1 1/2 hour ride to work at 65 mph. Any recommendations?

 

[bmoeller]

If the gauge is doing the usual 30* swing, it is normal. We have a big cooling system. The metal can't temp change that fast.



As cold as it has been here, you could probably cover most, if not all on the grille.



I just zip tied cardboard to the rear of the grille itself. Or, you could do what some have, and remove the cooling fan and clutch. Won't be a problem this time of year.

 

[Ragain]

Just pulled an Air Force mobile lab (17,000# & a headwind) to Grand Forks, ND. & it was below 0 deg. I slide a sized piece of cardboard between the intercooler and the radiator. Fold some of the cardboard back to expose 1/4 of radiator while pulling, and unfold to cover 100% of radiator while bobtailing. Coolant temp stayed dead center on 190 deg. for the complete trip!

 

[Schlickenmeyer]

I have been told by a number of people NEVER cover 100%. Always leave 10% exposed.

I personally run without, original thermostat, was out this morning and it was at least -15f. got operating temp within 10 miles, plenty of heat. just a more noticeable dip on the gauge when the tstat opened. But, that is it's job, so no problems there.

You might try a new tstat.

 

[FDNYMOPARGUY]

The thermostat is only a year old, and I want to avoid having to get a new one by stopping the constant open/close/open/close cycling.

 

[PKozlowski]

I have mine on and it's been 100% closed since Sept. Never gets hot.

Even when it's in the 30's I leave it closed but I watch it.

Sure helps it warm up and keeps the temp a little more stable.

 

[terrywerm]

I don't know if Cummins' recommendation is any different for the B series, but they used to recommend leaving at least 10% of the grille open for proper air flow through the intercooler on the bigger engines like the N14 or ISX. Of course, this was on a rig that was pulling a good load most of the time, too. For our pickups, if you cover the grille completely but leave the openings in the bumper open, you should be fine, even if towing in cold temps.

 

[BILLYGEE]

Vinyl Winter Fronts for Trucks

Anybody know where we can get the vinyl (zip open in the center) type winter fronts for our trucks? They used to make them but all I see now are those plastic pos ones that pop into the grill and cost 50 bucks or more.

 

[Cooker]

For our pickups, if you cover the grille completely but leave the openings in the bumper open, you should be fine, even if towing in cold temps.

This works well. I have been doing exactly this for at least 5 winters now. A few of them were also with the fan removed. I have had absolutely no issues with blocking the grille completely.

 

[willysrule]

there is a guy in the classifieds on here that sells inserts for the grille, I've been running his for 3 winters now... no problems or complaints... .

 

[FDNYMOPARGUY]

Well, I wound up going with the cardboard trick. I covered the outer two thirds of the radiator. The results are great. Quick warm up and temp stays put at just under 190 degrees. The cardboard is folded, so it doesn't shift. I inserted it between the radiator and intercooler. So far no rain or snow to worry about turning the cardboard to mush. Thanks for the advice everyone.