This is what I use and love it. I run it, unzipped, anytime it is below freezing and zip it completely shut below 15*.

Winter Fronts

Note the pickup they use for there example pictures.

 

I just got the COld weather package in my truck when I ordered it and have never had a problem with heat or warm up.

 

Wouldn't it cut down some on the efficiency of the intercooler.

 

a little maybe but at those temps the air is already going to be pretty cold so the ic wont be doing as much anyway

 

You need very little airflow over the IC at 20 degrees F or below for it to work correctly. There is probably engough air coming around the bumper and through the holes in the bumper to cool the air charge at 20 degrees.

 

Thats what I was thinking too, We all know that the warm air is a benifit to good fuel burn. At some point that temp gets to high and now the IC comes into play. I think it would help too control the amount of air getting too the rad. which would proble help out with fuel millage even. I know I,ve read here that the cooling system on theses trucks is way bigger than needed, if this is ture than I can,t see why coverin up the rad would,nt help some.

Dan

 

That's just a duramax thing, Powerstrokes can actually make their own heat at idle. Just leave the bra off your truck.

 

Not true, Ican start my truck and let it idle for ever and it won,t be up too temp till I drive it, Damn thing takes forever to get to temp, with the exception of a really hot day, LOL.

Dan

 

Everyon will laugh, but in Canada we run em when it get's colder that -15c, just keeps everything warm when driving 60+ mph down the road especially when its -40c. They work excellent.

 

Wouldn't it be a wash as far as mpg considering the motor will operate at a higher temp creating better gas mileage but aslo raise your egt's from blocking the air to the ic thus lowering your fuel mileage. :shrug:

 

My EGT's are exactly the same with the winter front fully zipped at 20* as they are with the front completely uncovered at 40*. I DO see better fuel mileage below freezing with the front covered versus open. I believe in keeping these engines warm. I have the fender sleeve installed for my AIS so air intake is not an issue as nobody is drag racing when it's snow packed roads and 20*. Works for me.

New year's eve I was in -4*F and I was very happy to have the front completely covered. I had to turn the heater down and got my usual 17mpg at the same time.

 

nobody is drag racing when it's snow packed roads and 20*.

:ford::tree:

 

Hey, I work in the business of treating people that race in the snow. Go ahead...job security!

 

Slow drag races.

 

I had those same exact Alaska Tent and Tarp winter fronts on my trucks when i lived in Alaska. They work really good and are worth the money. U can also get the summer screens to keep the bugs out of the radiator/IC. if u can keep the bugs out, that will help in those items working properly too. Bugs in my raditators are a pet peeve of mine, never liked them. Call up Alaska Tent and tarp and get them, u cant go wrong. they do look decent on the front of the truck

 

I got one from cabela's for about 45 bucks, Since i got it the weather has warmed up so i havent gotten to use it, but yea. being on a job even in high idle was hard to keep it in operating temp when its 20* and windy.

-Chris

 

Been covering mine for 5 years now, cheaply. Truck warms up much quicker, I can tow all winter with it in there. I usually have it in there for 4 to 5 months. Pyro guage will tell you to remove it on the first warm day in the spring.

I have a piece of 1/8th inch polycarbonate cut to fit behind the grill, from local glass shop. On the Excursion it fits between the fiberglass frame & the grill. Remove the 4 screws on the top of the grill & set it in there. Same with the 05-07 Chrome Package grill.

On my 01 f350 I have to slide it behind the fiberglass frame in front of the radiator, I zip/ty it to the supports & the grill installs up to the poly flush.

Poly is usually around $25 per truck. It's not visibly noticeable, yet protects the cooling fins from winter grime.

Used Plexiglas the first time, & it worked until a high speed run shattered it. Polycarbonate is good for well over 100mph, (I've been told)

 

I have a billet grille, and a cheap mod that is virtually unnoticeable is to use the casting tabs (during its process when it was made, and use them to hold in a cardboard cover that is painted black. Only lasts a month or so if i drive in the rain alot, as the cardboard weakens and bows inward to the radiator some. Here are some pics, it's completely free and doesnt look ugly like the cold fronts. And takes just a phillips screwdriver to hinge out the front of the grille to remove and install it.

Version 1.2 includes a rectangle cut out on the driver's side so it allows cool air into the zoodad. Really helps warm the truck up faster!

 

Great idea, looks good. Beer companys are making signs out of corrugated plastic. Looks just like cardboard but it is plastic. You could probably talk a grocery store out of an old sign and make a permanent one.

 

I was going to suggest the same thing. Corrugated plastic or 1/8 plexiglass.

 

The only reason to cover the rad in the winter is to prevent the coolant from gelling at highway speeds.

 

Iv'e never heard of coolant "gelling",,please explain....................

 

Maryland...

 

One of them little tiny states.

 

:hehe:
yep, we'll slap you though. But I'm not making fun of Texas so....

On topic: That might be a good investment for me lately, 0-10 degrees! I would like it to heat up a bit faster, so far haven't bothered with it.
I see all the dmax guys with em on though, because without it they littereally can't make heat. Pu$$ies!

 

The Dmax is horrible for warming up, we had one for a shop truck in Alaska and it didnt matter what the Antifreeze was good to, it wouldnt warm up, and even had a difficult time even with the grille cover

 

I went out this morning at 330am, started my truck, went back inside and said goodbye to the wife and kids... Came back out, oil temp and water temp were both at 160... and it was 6 out...

You dont need one.

 

Your wife and kids were up at that time? I know my truck is a lot slower to warm up then that.

Tom

 

I notice that at highway speeds 75-80 mph the temp will drop to 140-160 and it doesnt bother me but it may help fuel economy if you cover up part of the rad.

Billy

 

Put a 203 T stat in and you wont have any issues... now unless your a OBS and have a 203 tstat...

 

yeah, I don't need one either. today my truck warmed up pretty quickly on high idle in the driveway after not running for about a week of this 10 degree+ wind chill crap.
Every D-max around here has one of those on, and if you don't see it it's probably behind the grille :hehe: