TurboDeezul

A solid piece of sheetmetal in front of the whole works. I painted it black and it sits on the bumper supports. Been that way each winter since 2003.

QuadCab2gen

I am back from trip to the north 600 miles one way with the plastic in front with 10 inch hole it did not make any difference in fuel mileage and maybe a little more heat in cab but I think got to due something different for heat in cab as far as fuel got 12 coming back home and I think it was the winterized fuel that I got up north just not making power .

turbodiesel101

i have been running the same sheet of dense cardboard for about 2 years now. i get slip sheets from the glass plant here in town and they have leather like consistency but it is still cardboard. they are great to lay on under the truck.

knc77

QuadCab2gen - You may want to replace your thermostat. Mine began acting the same way yours is. Normal 180-190 then suddenly had a hard time going much over 160. Replaced my thermostat and it works fine again.

At those ambient temps, you should be able to maintain full operating temp without a radiator block off.

justme-

Lund used to make stainless steel and smoked plastic snap in cold front inserts for the grill- only got 2 panels left in mine but been using them for 10 years or more- all 4 did raise the initial temp faster but missing 2 (only drivers side is covered now) it does not seem to help as much.

When my stat went she started overheating... then after I let it cool off the stat was stuck open- would not even show temp on the gage...catch it before then.

SIXSLUG

I did find a bad thermostat in my rig during our Christmas trip over to MT. Temps wouldn't get over 140 with rad blocked off.
Outside temps were under 25F and low cab heat.
A new Stat and she's back to normal around 190 unless coasting down grades.

QuadCab2gen

Knc77- I think I will try that next, is there any thing to look out for when doing it your self?

Townsend600

I can drive mine and get it up to 180-190 but if I let it sit and idle for 10-15 min it's flat back over on 140 I just put a piece of cardboard over it painted black to see if that helps. I also have a coolant bypass kit too so this may be where some of my heat loss is coming from.

JoeCanuck

I put a piece of cardboard between the air to air and rad. I've done it the past 3 winters and no problems yet from engine or trans temps...and it helps a lot warming up the truck.

Installing an electric fan has also helped...no more -40 or colder wind chill cooling down my engine block. The fan hasn't kicked in once even with the entire rad blocked off.

White Rat

I made a set of cold fronts from a old Rubbermaid container and use reusable cable ties to hold them in. 5 years and they haven't shattered yet.

bentwings

Cardboard works so does plactic grill inserts...winter fronts.

But as noted above, just install a Cummins 190 thermostat and the problem goes away.

Here is a picture of what I took out. You can see the rubber seal is damaged and torn so it leaks. The best this 'stat ran was about 150 in the winter.

jumper

Each November I go to the local cardboard recycling dumpster and dive for a heavy piece. Without it the truck takes forever to warm up and on long downhills in the Mtns the water temp drops substantially. On the downside, the tranny runs warmer than I'd like. I need to trim the cardboard some.

Timberwolf2

^ Sounds like good advice, I've been driving in below freezing temps. and a few miles down the road, the temp. is normal.

If you really want to block the grill, stainless inserts are avail. from http://www.cloud-rider.com Very easily installed in minutes, no tools required, avail. in black powder coat too.

pug

In the old days when I was driving truck we had snap on vinyl coverings on the front of the radiator. This could be folded down to let more air in if needed. ON my 02 Chev duramax, it came with a vinyl snap on frontend cover that covered the whole front end but also had a smaller piece that fit over the frnt of the radiator that could be opened up some. Worked great. I now have a dodge cummins but haven't had to use anything yet but if needed I would stuff something down in the front and monitor my engine and trans guages.

jughead

would love to see 150-160 degrees on my 82. 3 thermos over 7-8 years and even on 90 degree days runs 125-130 degrees without a fan. saw 175 one time on a rough road that was under15 mph. for 1 and 1/2 mi. without a fan. before anyone says it cant do that i agree but it does