Do the trucks come with the plug in cord, or is it an option? I've never seen one on mine, but I haven't looked for it.

Where does one look for it?

thanks,
garrett

 

It plugs into the block from underneath on the passenger side. You'd likely know if you had one. I had to purchase and install mine, and I just have it looped around the front tow hook and crammed up behind the bumper. It's about time to start plugging it in again. It does make a difference but I'll be shoving a pizza box over the radiator this winter. It takes my truck about 20 minutes to warm up on chilly winter mornings, even plugged in.

Oh, and thanks for everything you do Rok!

 

Not a problem austin, I appreciate all yalls help.

 

High idle: You can buy a smarty that has the 3 cyl warm feature or ask the dealer to program your ecu (in the am all you do is turn on your cruise control, that will bump you to 1000 rpm after a min or two push the accel button for cruise control and you can get to 1500 rpm) I was told letting your rig idle cold could warp your cylinders over time.
Plugging in is always a good idea below 32 deg..

 

Thanks for the info about the high idle Grizzly. I plan on getting a Smarty PoD when I get back but I also need to do some work with my trans, so whichever happens first I geuss.

 

Sure thing, be safe over there!

 

Thanks, I will and thanks again for the info.

 

My 2006 and my son's 2006 are both very slow to warm up and as soon as you do not have a load on the engine, the engine temp plunges. We both have winter fronts and engine block heaters and my son's truck also has the manual idle control but have noticed that they are both very cold-blooded compared to the 97 I had. I suspect that the thermosat is probably alright, it is just the nature of the beast.

 

The factory high idle and an exhaust brake work killer.

Western Washington has had some crazy low temps the last week (for W.W anyways). This morning at my house it was 18°. IIRC the weather man said it been since 1990 that we've had temps this low.

I started my truck and turned on the exhaust brake. With the high idle and exhaust brake,I had full water temp in less than 6 minutes.

 

Yesterday I had mine plugged in for about 3.5 hrs and under 3 minutes after start up I had 50+ degree heat from the heater. BTW the over night temps was -5 zero and it warmed up to -3 below zero when I started it up and moved it from the garage to the front of the house. Oh I had all but one flap closed off on my Mopar winter front. But yes to get it up to full operating temp it can take along time like 15 or more miles if the temps are below zero.

 

I agree, the exhaust brake works wonders. My truck is unable to get plugged in, so I let it idle for a minute after I start it and I can't tell the difference whether it's been plugged in or not.

 

I run the defroster while she is idling and it warms up pretty quick... No defroster and it won't warm up for me.... I usually let mine run for 20 minutes and she is almost to temp ....

 

will have to try the defroster option

 

it works for me....of course i crank mine when i first get up so she usually idles for 30 min usually......but that ac cycling puts a little load on it and helps it warm up a little faster.....but i have found on morning when i forget to turn it to defrost it may idle the same 30 minutes but it wont be as warm....JMO!

 

The 3cyl high idle is a 2nd Gen VP44 thing, doesn't work on 3rd gens.. .3rd gens get the cruise control controlled fast idle. Since the OP has an 03 it may or may not work, it doesn't work on 99% of the 03's...

But otherwise the best is

1. Winter front, Mopar is best
2. Plug in.. 90 minutes for 25*+, 120 minutes for 10-25*, 0-10 2.5 hours, below 0, 3+ hours.. I have found that 90 minutes gets you about 60* over the ambient without the winterfront, it gets warmer with it.
3. Exhaust brake
4. Fast Idle, if you can't get the OE one to work there are aftermarket ones.