coldfronts

iron_786 · January 5, 2004

anyone have one of these they could give me some advice on? any significant difference in warming of the vehicle? i have a 2002 silv/ls and would appreciate any advice or pics of the different brands on a similar vehicle?

thanks

Mule · January 5, 2004

As an Alaskan, I never used them and never saw a need for them. I don't want to block any air flow. But a lot of 18-wheelrs had a cover and many cars had the cardboard taped on the grill in the winter. If the weather was sub-zero all the time, maybe, but driving around warms the truck enough.

I don't see an advantage other than looks.

bfrd22 · January 5, 2004

I just use the tried and true snap on style quilted winter front.

Cheap effective durable.

JayMan · January 5, 2004

I just cut a piece of old canvas to fit, use some bailing wire to secure, and off I go.

I've noticed in temps colder than 0 F, the thing takes forever to warm up, less heat and defrost, you lose 1-2 MPG, and the transmission shifts poorly. The winter front helps.

You'd notice the biggest difference at highway speeds thanks to the added windchill. Just around town, probably no difference at all.

My commercial diesel equipment runs automatic radiator shutters, so I don't have to worry about them,

iron_786 · January 6, 2004

guess nobody on here has those nice shiny ones i see out on the roads once in awhile, when its -20 out i think i would like to have something out there

JayMan · January 6, 2004

guess nobody on here has those nice shiny ones i see out on the roads once in awhile, when its -20 out i think i would like to have something out there

Gotcha, those bright stainless steel ones. I believe Lund makes them.

I have rolls of canvas from a local mill, so I just cut to fit. It's free and works very well. As an added bonus, I doubt anybody would steal a dirty chunk of canvas. Don't block off the actual radiator, just the grill. So if it does run warm, the fan can still cool things off.

I agree at -20 F you want a winter front. The newer GM trucks have great cooling systems, especially with the Towing Package, and I think it overcools at temps colder than 0 F.

I've noticed if you don't use a winter front in temps colder than 0 F, there will be frost on the radiator and inside the engine compartment. You can run things too cold as well as too hot, and with the cooling system operating in bypass mode, the back of the motor is cold. Can you say sludge?

My 1984 Ford F-150 with 302 has an Edelbrock 289 intake. The intake has numerous threaded ports, wet and vacuum, so I rigged up a mechanical Stewart temp gauge for the rear of the block, and for the thermostat housing.

At -40, the thermostat housing would maintain whatever temp the thermostat was rated at without a winter front. The back of the block the gauge would never leave the bottom of the peg, which ended at 50 F. I also noticed heavy oil vapors and moisture in the PCV system.

With the winter front, the back of the block would eventually reach 160 F. Much reduced oil vapors and moisture.

BlackSilver · January 6, 2004

Came standard on my 03, and I wouldn't be without it. Makes a HUGE difference on cold mornings, but still gotta love heated leather!!!

I don't know if they make one to fit 1500, because of the different bumper height.

JayMan · January 6, 2004

Came standard on my 03, and I wouldn't be without it. Makes a HUGE difference on cold mornings, but still gotta love heated leather!!!

I don't know if they make one to fit 1500, because of the different bumper height.

GM wisely made a winter front "standard" on all HD Duramax trucks, since they first came out in 2001. I've seen folks who refuse to use the cover in winter and they have major problems with their Duramax engines.

"Hmm, think I'll invest over $5000 in an engine option, then do everything in my power to bugger it up and ruin it. Sounds like a plan!"

With a gas motor you also get major benefits, though the motor will still work without the front cover.

The best thing about the Chevy LT and GMC SLT interior is the heated leather. My butt/back is too old and too sore to put up with cold aches and pains. You're right, it would look very cool to somehow fit a Duramax cover to a LD truck.

iron_786 · January 7, 2004

went to the lund site to have a look, man does it suck. i dont know anything about designing a web site but this one is a real winner. people think i got all day to answer 50 questions and wait for pages to appear

bigdogs · January 7, 2004

I have one for my Duramax but have not used it yet. What is the "cutoff" temp for using it or not using it? Being it is new I sure don't want to ruin the motor

JayMan · January 7, 2004

went to the lund site to have a look, man does it suck. i dont know anything about designing a web site but this one is a real winner. people think i got all day to answer 50 questions and wait for pages to appear

I guess they don't get it, do they? Wonder how much business they lose in the process?

JayMan · January 7, 2004

I have one for my Duramax but have not used it yet. What is the "cutoff" temp for using it or not using it? Being it is new I sure don't want to ruin the motor

The loggers around here put them on when the mercury dips to 30 F and take them off next spring. The cooling system is so big, and the fan kicks on so early, you could probably drive around in 40-50 F weather and not hurt things.

The local dealer usually puts the front on the dealer stock at the end of Sept.