Winter front on a gas truck?

[brow]

Hi all,
New user ID here, was a member for quite a long time but unfortunately can't remember my ID and pwd. Anyways, it is good to be back.
So I made the switch to gas truck a few year back, and have just moved "back" to a colder climate. I just found my winter front from my old diesel and find it fits on my Tundra.
I see people around town doing the old cardboard trick on their vehicles, just wondering what the consensus is on winter fronts for gas vehicles/trucks.
Unfortunately, for this winter at least, I am parking outside. Block and oil pan heaters will be plugged in on frosty nights, but find that the truck could do a better job heating up and staying warm.
It was -33*C this morning, truck was grumpy.
Cheers, thanks in advanced

 

[MGregoir]

Block as much as you can until you find it's starting to run on the warm side and then take some back off. That's usually what I do.

 

[Petrou]

I have yet to ever use a winter front on a gas truck. I have been in climate as low as -52f. truck started no problem, no heaters in block or oil pan, just fired it up and let it warm, just make sure that your coolant is good to that low. OH AND

 

[mechtech2]

Blocking the radiator like this can be a great thing.
Factories don't do this because it requires OUR input and control.
If we leave it on in the summer, damage can occur.
Remember the old Volvos with a crank under the dash to raise/lower the screen in front of the radiator for winter?

 

[rpn453]

I like winterfronts.

I blocked the big lower grille on my car using a piece of black Crazy Carpet cut-to-fit and cable-tied on. The smaller top grille is still open. The car can still pull air across the radiator using the fan if it needs to.

 

[jstutz]

I have never been in temps anywhere near that low so my question may be stupid. Do vehicles have trouble getting up to temp when it is that cold out, say -40 and below. It seams like the winter fronts would be great when your moving, but what if your sitting still in traffic. That is if there is actually traffic where it is that cold

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: jstutz
I have never been in temps anywhere near that low so my question may be stupid. Do vehicles have trouble getting up to temp when it is that cold out, say -40 and below. It seams like the winter fronts would be great when your moving, but what if your sitting still in traffic. That is if there is actually traffic where it is that cold


Even at 0 degrees, my winter front helps a ton. If I coast down a long stretch of road with the heater on, even after the engine has warmed up, the temp gauge will plummet. It stays right at operating temp with the lower half of my grill blocked off. Makes the heater more toasty as well.

 

[The_Jeff]

It's a great idea. Even though the thermostat theoretically doesn't need it if you have a winter front the thermostat opens wider, the rad gives off more heat within the limited space... which reaches other stuff under the hood like the battery, windshield squirter tank, etc. And if you park it for an hour the heat soak is warmer.

 

[rpn453]

Originally Posted By: jstutz
I have never been in temps anywhere near that low so my question may be stupid. Do vehicles have trouble getting up to temp when it is that cold out, say -40 and below. It seams like the winter fronts would be great when your moving, but what if your sitting still in traffic. That is if there is actually traffic where it is that cold


For me, it's most noticeable in the transmission. On a really cold day without a winterfront, the shifter and clutch will remain stiff, especially during a highway drive. The winterfront keeps things much warmer under there, and I have to assume that provides more heat for the heater. I'll take all I can get, as soon as I can get it! Sometimes the car will never reach full operating temperature with the heater on during low speed driving or idling.

 

[jstutz]

thanks for the updats guys, i suspect in temps that cold things like synthetic gear lubes and transmission fluid become common place. At those temps regular 80w90 is probably similar to bearing grease. I live in NC and if it gets down to 15F, they just about close everything down.

 

[brow]

Thanks for the responses guys. I put the winter front on and wow, what a difference. Way quicker warm up time and better/more consistent heat in the cab. Mine is a crewmax so there is a lot of volume to heat. And to boot the winter front looks good with my black winter steel rims. It is a Fia universal fit nylon winter front.
Cheers

 

[brow]

Forgot to mention - the only drawback, I think according to the butt dyno, is my AFE cold air intake appears to be a little less responsive and definitely quieter. Thought the air intake came up through the wheel well so I am a little baffled on this.

 

[Fazzone]

I started putting one on my truck the first winter I got it. Biggest difference I have noticed is it definetly helps speed the warm up. It's really noticable in the shift points until the truck is warmed up thouroghy. Makes a big difference when it's below zero!

 

[saberz]

Any specific place to buy winter fronts? I know I saw a grill for my Xterra for the winter but cannot remember where.

 

[Drew99GT]

http://www.realtruck.com/fia_winter_front_and_bug_screens/R18283P2004Y462MA.html

 

[mechtech2]

Yes, engines have thermostats for the coolant.
But the radiator screen can help keep the under hood temps up a bit, as well as keeping the coolant hotter and more stable.
Over 20F, forget about it.

 

[thooks]

What are ya'll talking about?

 

[saberz]

Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
http://www.realtruck.com/fia_winter_front_and_bug_screens/R18283P2004Y462MA.html



BTW Thanks Drew!