At what ambient temperature do you start running a winter front? With this last storm here in Utah its getting cold in the morning winter is coming.

Once it drops below freezing temps and will stay there for the season if driven as a car. Anything at or above freezing or even close I would not run one personally if it gets worked regularly.

This month I be putting my Winter Fronts in. I'm seeing 40*F in the mornings and barely breaking over 70*F during the day. So I run from October to April with my winter fronts. What you want to watch is the IAT temps as long as your hitting about 100-140*F your optimal for fuel mileage below that you lose roughly 1 MPG for even 10 degree drop.

What winter fronts are you guys running?

I use old corrugated plastic political signs cut to the inner dimensions of the grill & spray paint them black. 5 zip ties hold each in place.

Ed

What winter fronts are you guys running?

A big piece of cardboard between the radiator and the intercooler. I cut a circle out of the middle with the rest of the radiator being completely covered. 

A big piece of cardboard between the radiator and the intercooler. I cut a circle out of the middle with the rest of the radiator being completely covered. 

 

Be very careful it very possible to get some really hot temps. (IAT and/or Coolant)

http://articles.mopar1973man.com/general-cummins/35-exterior/135-winter-fronts-for-dodge-cummins-trucks

Be very careful it very possible to get some really hot temps. (IAT and/or Coolant)

http://articles.mopar1973man.com/general-cummins/35-exterior/135-winter-fronts-for-dodge-cummins-trucks

If you are working it, maybe, but at 40* I have not seen anything that would give cause for alarm even when idling.

Be very careful it very possible to get some really hot temps. (IAT and/or Coolant)

http://articles.mopar1973man.com/general-cummins/35-exterior/135-winter-fronts-for-dodge-cummins-trucks

I haven't seen that article before. Interesting thoughts! But I have never had my engine coolant temps raise above 200 even at 50deg ambient temps running 75mph. EGT temps have never changed when I put it in either. The IAT I am unsure of, but I recently picked up a scan gauge and will find out the results!

http://www.genosgarage.com/DODGE-RAM-WINTER-GRILLE-COVER-94-02/productinfo/WINTER_FR_9402/#.VC9A9_ldWSo Even this cover goes right up against the condenser and intercooler....

Back when I did that article I cover just as shown and watch coolant temps get out of hand. But I tend to favor the grill cover more so because of the air gap and the ability of the fan to lock and cool again. Yes I do hear the fan lock up and cool things down once in awhile when climbing around in the mountains. Geno's might be fine for flat landers but I won't want to try it up here.

 

And that would be why I said "When you are working it".A 16% grade is a bit more work to climb than a 6%.

Back when I did that article I cover just as shown and watch coolant temps get out of hand. But I tend to favor the grill cover more so because of the air gap and the ability of the fan to lock and cool again. Yes I do hear the fan lock up and cool things down once in awhile when climbing around in the mountains. Geno's might be fine for flat landers but I won't want to try it up here.

 

Colorado is far from flat!!   We may not have 16% grades but we do get pretty steep!  7% grade at 10,500ft + with two snowmobiles a trailer and gear on back without overheating issues. Like I said Highest coolant temperatures seen have been right around 200deg. I think I am going to buy the cover and post up some results for informational purposes when winter comes around... Oh and I guess I need the truck back from paint first too 

Colorado is far from flat!!   We may not have 16% grades but we do get pretty steep!  7% grade at 10,500ft + with two snowmobiles a trailer and gear on back without overheating issues. Like I said Highest coolant temperatures seen have been right around 200deg. I think I am going to buy the cover and post up some results for informational purposes when winter comes around... Oh and I guess I need the truck back from paint first too 

 

Well now Colorado isn't even close to flat just as lumpy and Idaho is. But someone in Midwest could easily run a full cover like that. But after a few close calls here I've given up on the full cover idea. I know the Geno's allows for openings to added for ventilation or adjust how much. So we'll see how you fair on this. Matter of fact I'll be putting mine on tomorrow morning darn cold here in the mornings at 32-35*F and taking several miles to even get heat.

I'll be picking the truck up a week from tomorrow   I probably shouldn't promise that I will buy a cover just yet.. Guess I'll have to check the bank account after paying for paint  Between school and this truck I don't think I'll ever have any money....

I know the feeling. I just thought I was doing so good then all the little things started to go wrong with my truck. Just time to give them some TLC and make them happy once again.

Well now Colorado isn't even close to flat just as lumpy and Idaho is. But someone in Midwest could easily run a full cover like that. But after a few close calls here I've given up on the full cover idea. I know the Geno's allows for openings to added for ventilation or adjust how much. So we'll see how you fair on this. Matter of fact I'll be putting mine on tomorrow morning darn cold here in the mornings at 32-35*F and taking several miles to even get heat.

     Steep grades for short distances or 4-5 miles long medium grades with a 30+mph head wind and 25K+ gross loads hmmmm?

We have lots of rough country in my part of the state with lots of hills and long grades.

 

I just run grill inserts myself, helped more on the old 02 than the 05 which is super cold blooded if no load behind her.

 

Off topic but I remember reading a thread a few weeks back where you posted the elevation of your house and it was real close to the same elevation as my area at roughly 2200+- a couple hundred feet above sea level around the west half of the state.

From the lows to the highs around me.

 

Lewiston Idaho ............... 750

Riggins Idaho .............. 1,800

Home .......................... 2,800

New Meadows ............ 3,800

McCall Idaho ............... 5,000

Burgdorf Idaho ............ 6,100

Heavens Gate ............. 8,400

I use old corrugated plastic political signs cut to the inner dimensions of the grill & spray paint them black. 5 zip ties hold each in place.

Ed

I always knew them politicians were good for something.

I'm here at 5000' in southern UT.

Yeah, the ONLY good use for political signs. I collected about 30 of them this season.

 

Ed

I used to block most of the radiator on other vehicles...  But it didn't do much unless the closure was total...  And it also blocked flow through all coolers & such. 

I cut out plastic panels which I bolt though the grill.  The holes in the bumper remain open.  I think it creates a warmer environment without totally blocking air flow...  more like a closed loop where the warmer air stays under the hood. 

It's not cold enough here to put the full winter front in...  coming soon!

I never thought the grill covers did anything, and after testing I was right.  Two 10* days of starting it and instantly taking off (nicely), and the warm up times were identical.  I can't remember and I can't find the thread but I think I covered the entire radiator with cardboard when I tested it.  I am still under the logic that the radiator isn't used until the thermostat opens, so blocking it does nothing when the engine is circulating only the water within it, not the water in the radiator.  I would think the wind would be minimal on the engine because the grill, radiators, etc, are slowing down the air and then it isn't enough of a gust on the engine to really take any of the heat away from it.  

 

I think if you guys timed it rather than assumed it was heating up faster, you would be surprised.  Thinking something works tweaks your mind a little, but a stopwatch always tells the truth.