Winter Mods?

[RIDGERACING]

Does Dodge or any one else make a radiator cover for winter time use. Mine takes a long time to warm up and cools down fast in slow speed traffic.

 

[AK RAM]

Yeah. I wish I could remember the price, but Mopar makes one that you can get from the parts counter at your dealer. It is a very nice behind the grill cover. I finally broke down and put one on this winter and I can't believe I waited this long. Worth every penny.

 

[TSpecht]

The Mopar winter cover is around $110 if my memory serves correctly. It's also available as a kit with electric battery blankets for a bit more money. I ended up just getting the Mopar winter cover by itself. It's superior to the aftermarket designs in that you won't need to do any modifications to the truck such as add snaps (inviting rust, etc). Installs without any tools whatsoever.

 

[MGunville]

I think there was a thread earlier that had more info too, may want to search. I have 82208646 listed as the Mopar part number. Haven't ordered one yet, winter is almost over. :-laf . I've seen a few of them and for the $100 or so looks like a worthwhile investment for those in the colder climates.

 

[RIDGERACING]

How much of the rad does it cover,is it adjustable? It has been in the low 30s or below for the past 3 months. Would it be worthwhile to install one.

 

[AK RAM]

It covers everything, radiator, intercooler. . …. extends all the way down behind the bumper and clips to the bottom (of the bumper). It has 4 flaps that you can open in the front for airflow when you feel you need it. As I said earlier, I just put it on this winter and I still can not believe I have been suffering with slow warm-ups and no heat in the cab even at cruise for so long. This thing is just great!



At say -10*F, I can commute from work to home and the engine temp would never get above 140*F in the city and 160*F on the hwy at a cruise (I have a digital engine temp gauge). With the cover, leaving work and crossing town, I am at full operating temp after about 4 miles of city creeping along, 35/40mph. So far I haven’t had a problem with the engine getting too hot yet, even at 30*F. I keep an eye on it and about 205*F is as hot as I have seen it get so far. If I was going to tow a heavy load during the winter, I would probably open a flap or two once I was up to temp.



I'll try to take a pic of the cover and post it. This time of year, I'm liking the cover better than twin turbos!

 

[AK RAM]

Not the best pics, but you'll get the idea.

 

[jjdiesel]

Do you think performance, mileage, etc. is compromised because of covering the intercooler as well as the radiator? I'm wondering how big of a deal that is even though it is cold outside??

 

[chazj]

Does anyone know if the 03 cover will fit an 02 Ram?

The Dodge dealer said that the cover for the earlier Ram's have been discontinued...

 

[Nightram]

From what I know, unfortunately, the '03 cover will not fit on the '02

 

[jjdiesel]

Do you think performance, mileage, etc. is compromised because of covering the intercooler as well as the radiator? I'm wondering how big of a deal that is even though it is cold outside??

Anyone?? Would love to get some thoughts on this.

 

[TSpecht]

From what I've found it won't hurt performance, mileage or any of that good stuff by covering the intercooler also, at least in my experience. I run mine with 2 flaps closed, which seems to be the best balance between warmup and EGT's in the ambient temperature range I experience (about +10°F to about +40°F). If the ambient temperature changes significantly or if the load on your truck changes (i. e. go from running around empty to towing) you'll simply need to adjust the flaps accordingly in order to keep coolant temperature and EGT from becoming an issue.

***Edited to clarify the above***
If you like to run the truck hard empty for performance reasons, you might find the need to adjust how many flaps you have closed. It will raise EGT to some extent, although in winter at least on the ~15-25 mile trips I usually make the mileage gains resulting from having it warm up quicker offsets any mileage penalties from higher EGTs. It can be a tradeoff but IMO it's worth it for quicker warmup time and ability to keep it at operating temperature more effectively.

 

[jjdiesel]

TSpecht, thanks for the reply. I found an old thread on this topic and one member says it costs a 2-3 mpg drop when covering the intercooler with a winter front. I thought that might be kinda excessive... nothing like real-world experience. Thanks again

 

[broeser340]

I too have a winter front that I have yet to install. Actually it has been in its box for about a month now as I am just getting time to install it. I agree with the above prices mentioned. I was test fitting it today, but I am going to wait until later in the week to install it. It seems like a tight/taut fit at the top of the A/C condensor. I want to put my Kilby A/C condensor gaurd on first. I put it in 4wd last night on the way home in hopes of putting more of a load on the engine to get it up to temp faster. I think the overhead was reading about 7-8 F last night, and its supposed to get colder than that this coming weekend.