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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

grill cover on a diesel pickup

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Rich Iowa

12-11-2005 12:52:01




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I was thinking of putting a piece of cardboard over part of the grill on my diesel pickup. How many of you do this? How much do you cover, 1/2, 2/3 of the grill? Obviously, I don"t want to cover the whole grill, just enough to block a lot of the really cold air while I"m going down the highway. What kind of materials would you all recommend? Thanks for any help




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IMKMCAC

12-14-2005 18:27:06




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 Re: grill cover on a diesel pickup in reply to Rich Iowa, 12-11-2005 12:52:01  
I have an '03 Duramax and it came with the grille and the lower(bumper)covers,so i assume the factory approves the use of them.I normally only use the grille cover,but,if it gets real cold here in Missouri i have put on the lower cover.
I do notice that with either cover it seems to retain the heat better when i let it idle for a few minutes.Diesels don't run as hot as gassers so they need some help in the winter.You don't mention what year truck but you may still be able to buy one for it.

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Mel in SW Iowa

12-11-2005 17:57:16




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 Re: grill cover on a diesel pickup in reply to Rich Iowa, 12-11-2005 12:52:01  
My experience has been quite a bit different.
I've been working out of a '93 Dodge CTD for about
six years. It has 270,000 miles on it now. I hope I can drive it for another 500k.

Several years ago, TDR magazine/website forum
did extensive? testing that showed better performance when engine air inlet temps do not
drop below 40 degrees. (They also warned that uneven blocking of radiator air flow can stress fan blades causing failure).

I take the fan and shroud off during the winter months when I think it will be below 50 degrees for a while. 1) I shut it off when I stop (no
prolonged or unattended idling). 2) I've driven in temps as high as 70 degrees before engine temps started to increase (and I put the fan and shroud back on). I have a Lund perforated (I think they are 1/8th inch holes) winter front that I use year round. Engine temps and heater output warm up faster in the winter, and keeps bugs out of the intercooler and radiator in the summer. When I'm pulling a 10k trailer and outdoor temps get above 100, engine temps will sometimes start to increase. I take two of the four sections out until I unhook the trailer or outdoor temps get below 100. Engine temps increase above normal the quickest while driving in the winter in freezing rain. Taking one section of the winter front out is all that's necessary to bring engine temps back down below 190 in freezing rain.

Several TDR members follow similar practices. I am not aware of any problems that I haven't described. (I am the only one here that drives my truck.)

Mel

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thejdman01

12-11-2005 16:22:33




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 Re: grill cover on a diesel pickup in reply to Rich Iowa, 12-11-2005 12:52:01  
i never saw the piont of winter fronts unless you live in the super cold north minn canada etc. you have to be super carefull in covering up tranny coolers etc as they are small. the only help is they will warm up quicker. also if you park them in the wind help the block heater keep it warm. other then that if everything is functioning properly a winter front should not be needed unless you idle alot or are in the super cold. and if so go w/an approved winter front.

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Leland

12-11-2005 14:00:04




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 Re: grill cover on a diesel pickup in reply to Rich Iowa, 12-11-2005 12:52:01  
since most diesel trucks today have air to air after cooling , you are doing more harm than good with a winter front .



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lpgasonly

12-11-2005 13:24:00




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 Re: grill cover on a diesel pickup in reply to Rich Iowa, 12-11-2005 12:52:01  
I would not use anything but a manufacturer aproved winter front. I have seen to many fan blades break because it runs in half of vacuum. The newer trucks rely on a charge air cooler also. If you have no heat, put in a thermostate. The rest of the truck can take the cold.



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Stickler

12-11-2005 14:21:04




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 Re: grill cover on a diesel pickup in reply to lpgasonly, 12-11-2005 13:24:00  
Even on an older one, you don't really gain anything. In the winter your clutch fan seldom runs anyway, but once you put a winter front on it, it will and it cools it down more than just leaving it off. I had one on an old GM 6.2 and with the winter front on it wouldn't make any heat at all at idle and ran really cold even at hwy speed, but take the winter front off and it was fine.



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Dr.EVIL

12-12-2005 07:35:27




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 Re: grill cover on a diesel pickup in reply to Stickler, 12-11-2005 14:21:04  
I've used Winter Fronts on My pickups for over 25 yrs. Even gas-powered pickups. They make a HUGE difference in winter time fuel economy. In winter My diesel pickup only drops about 1 to 1-1/2 mpg over summer time mpg. Just putting cardboard over Your radiator is asking for disaster however. It takes that whole area of the radiator out of the cooling business and can lead to over-heating if the load on the engine increases for even a short time. Keep the covering out at the grill. As far as intercoolers, transmission collers, etc being covered, That's just silly in My opinion. If You had tranny temp gauges or EGT gauges You'd know that no way are they up to a normal operating temp if the engine isn't. I've had several people laugh at My grill covers but then I've had the luck to hear those same people complain about frozen PVC valves caused by frigid air freezing condensation in their car's engine and blowing the PCV valve out of the valve cover and almost running the engine out of oil. On a cold Zero degree day about 26 yrs ago I drove 120 miles on the Interstate at 65-70 mph. When I pulled up to the stop sign on the end of the ramp My choke in My truck still had the fast idle cam engaged because of the brutally cold air blowing past it. Needless to say the choke itself was about half on as well. Bad thing for getting good MPG's.

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