I finally bought and installed a Dodge winter radiator cover. It's been under 20 degrees for the last 3 days here. I had put a piece of cardboard that covered about 80% of the radiator for a day and the cover came yesterday afternoon. So, I have 3 trips with the cardboard and 2 with the cover on my truck with the temperature between 18 and -1. The cover works much better. The truck warms up faster and runs on the thermostat with the cover.
I thought I'd post because there seems to be some debate about what kind of radiator block off works best.

 

I tried mine with 2 flaps open and it took forever to warm up still...Now I have 1 flap and it warms up alot quicker...Last night I was watching the guage...Normally in the 190 range...As soon as it hit the 200 mark, I guess the fan kicked on, cause it immediately dropped to 180 or so...No problems so far...Temps here 10-25'F

 

more than likely your fan didn't kick on but rather the thermostat opened letting in a rush of frigid coolant to drop your gauge to about 180.

 

Just ordered one today from my local dealer... of course it's my Christmas present so I have to wait a couple weeks before I get it...


Tony

 

How slow will it warm up if there is no winter front?? I am taking a trip from Phx Az to Boise ID (70* to 25*). Will it eventually get to operating temp, or will I be freezing the whole time??

Aaron

 

I live in ND and we get temps down to -35 F and I never run a winter front or cover the radiator on either my 99 or 05 CTD. As long as your not standing still idling the truck it will reach operating temps keeping you nice and warm.

 

I live just outside of Boise and have no problems with the truck warming up. It is up to operating temp within 6 miles with or without the cover on. I have to turn the heat down before I get 10 miles down the road. By the way it has been getting down to 5 degrees all this week.

 

slowwheelin.
So what is it supposed to get to next week?? Any snow in the forcast?? I hope not.

 

It'll warm up by the time you get to Boise
I let mine idle at 1200-1300 RPMs for 5-10 minutes before going to work and it warms up ok. I usually hit the tow/haul button for a bit to keep the RPMs up for a few miles. My work commute is only 8 miles and all city driving now.

 

Thursday they are exspecting some in the hills. It just does not snow all that much here. This area is more desert than anything else, the temps are supose to peak out in the 30's though.

 

My commute to work is 14 miles one way. Without the cover in 20 degrees it took about 8-10 miles of driving @ 40mph to get over 160 degrees. With the cover last night it was 23 degrees and it took about 2 miles. I prefer the quicker warmup, the improvement in fuel mileage seems quite apparent. Besides, it runs so much better warmed up, my chip doesn't kick in completely until it gets past 174 degrees.

 

I called a *********** asking about a cold front or radiator cover and they said there's no such thing. You'd think they'd know about them here in frigid Nebraska. Anyone have a part number? Price? Outlet?
Thanks...
Radman

 

www.magauto.com $95.00

 

My wife drives roughly uphill for 20 minutes and without the Dodge cover, she didn't even see close to warm. She also always had to wear her boots. Now it's tennis shoes and heat on low. Temperature right up near 200. See even comments that she can hear the fan tone change as it fully engages to cool the motor.... . I leave the flaps all closed. This weekend ironically we had temps in the +30's and I had to open 3 flaps while towing my offroad vehicle down the highway.

Of course we aren't living in the warmer 48's, and our temps were down in to almost -30 already. I've pulled a 4 place trailer and 4 snowmachines at -40 and I guarantee you the factory system won't keep the temperature up at all. We had lukewarm air and were thinking about turning around. Luckily it warmed up and we continued.

This cover should be standard equipment placed under the seat for winter climates!

 

The part # for the winter front cover kit is 82208646. Most dealers have no clue what it is, and it comes in a very small box. Dealer price is $119.99. See if they'll match $100 prices online.