we are sitting at -17 right now. is it ok to close up the front entirely? or should I leave one flap open?

 

At that temp, I'd close it up completely, especially if not pulling heavy up grades.

Just keep an eye on the temp gauge.

If you do open it up, can you open the center? As I understand it, anyway, having it open on the top or one side can cause the fan blades to flex back and forth as they rotate past open and closed areas.

 

I usually keep the two side flaps open right now (-15).With the whole thing closed up it really doesn't seem to warm up that much faster at these temperatures. And I'm afraid I'll forget to open it up when temps get closer to "almost tolerable".

 

My home made version only covers the grill so the bottom always gets a little. But I have driven around on days where it is 60 out and even pull some grades. Nice to have 7 gallons of cooolant. Temp gage stays right around 200.

 

At that temperature I would say you should have no problem completely closing it off. It's about 23 here at the moment, supposed to get to the single digit's tonight, and I have been running around with the 2 side flaps closed without a problem.

 

Close all 4 flaps.

I keep mine closed even as high as 40 in the winter time. I do that because I only have a 12 mile commute to work and want to make sure it heats up completely before I reach my destination. Longer rides I open it up.

If it gets too hot the fan will kick on and cool it off anyway.

Now, if you're towing or working the truck then I'd open it up. No real need for the radiator blanket then because the load will warm up the truck in no time at all.

DT.

 

I run all 4 closed below 25*F (around town).. I have an IAT gauge and it never gets too hot.. In order to run 70-75* on the fwy I would say have 1 open unless its below 0..even then for a long hwy run I would still leave at least 1 open.

 

Ian515,

We hit -29 below last night up here and it had warmed up to all of -19 below when I left the house at noon today and a warm -12 when I got back home at 3:00 PM. I had all 4 flaps closed off and had no problems driving at 60+MPH on the roads that were clean enough to drive that fast on. As long as your not pulling any long hills with weight at 70 MPH and the temps stay below zero you should not have any problems with all 4 flaps closed off. If your worried then once its up to full operating temp then open one of the flaps up and you should be able to keep the coolant at full operating temp even at a warm -5 below.

 

you make it sound so pleasant up there! I just drove to ames and back with all four closed at -12. seemed to do just fine. good to know.

 

I had to close all four of mine last night, to keep it warm enough to get me to a fuel station. It was starting to gel so it was a race to get more PS into it before it clogged completely. I think closing all four helped then, but I normally run the two side flaps closed below 20F. I think it it gets below -10F again I'll just close all four.

 

I had all 4 flaps closed yesterday when the temps were -15, I had to drive home on the interstate, speeds around 75 mph and with 4 flaps closed the water temp was around 200 to 205. Stopped for something to drink, opened top and side flaps, water temp dropped to normal for remainder of trip.

I have a question about the fan, what controls when it kicks on? This morning temps were around -20 and when I started the truck the fan immediately came on. Seems like it would only come on when operating water temp was reached. Any ideas??? TIA

 

DBLR - Where in north central Iowa are you. I grew up in Algona.

Sorry for the highjack Ian. But to bring it back - I have a pic of my winter front at https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=224043. Full closed off grill area. Only time I worry is when the temp out side is above 35 or 40 and I am pulling a trailer. Can't push to hard or my water temp climbs above where it normally runs. Empty I have run even at 60 degrees taking it easy.

 

The fan could have come on just as a test, like the dash lights are tested when you start up the truck.

If the truck was cold it should have shut right off.

Not sure what temp calls for the fan to come on. Probably something over 200*.

DT.

 

Ian515,

They set a record low last night in Mason City, -31 below zero and out my way I'm sure we were a bit colder but don't have proof as my digital stopped working last night so I guess I should go buy an old style mercury thermometer as they just keep on working even at -50 below zero.

knc77,

Several miles away from I-35 and Hwy 9.

 

awesome.
My wife was just up there doing a story on the upcoming buddy holly event, she almost walked out the door without any decent cold weather gear, luckily I was paying attention . from the looks of things it wasnt as cold up there today though.