Junkers88

Ok cats I'm moving up north next week and will be spending the winter in North Dakota/Idaho and am concerned about some cold weather. The rig is in great shape other than the IACV (I don't think I can afford/have time to get it replaced) and that worries me just a tad. I've got the air intake routed through the fender into the cowl area so she'll be pulling icy cold air during warm up and I'm guessing that'll make it take longer to warm up.


So far all I can figure is a change in oil weight for the winter and a block heater (the one that is a big magnet and attaches to the oil pan) but am unsure if it'll really help considering that I have to pay for the electricity to keep the rig "warm" while it sits outside.

Any thoughts or advice?

Oh and I'm not too worried about the snow and such. Dual lockers and some deeper gears should get me around in anything up to and including a couple feet. Just as long as it isn't over the front bumper I think I can handle it.

4byrunner

Off the top of my head:
-windshield washer fluid with DE-ICER in it and new wiper blades. A clean windshield is very important to keep safe while other people are slinging melted snow all over you from oncoming traffic.

-I've never changed the weight of my oil, 5W30 full synthetic is thin enough of those cold starts.
-Make sure you have Anti-freeze in your radiator (not just coolant).
-get an ice scraper
-give your truck at least 5 minutes for warming up before driving
-drive slow, 4x4 only helps you drive forward it doesn't help you stop!!
-i've never done any type of engine/radiator heaters but it doesn't hurt. People in cold climates love Remote Start systems for those with automatic transmissions.

Good luck, i'm looking forward to winter myself!!

mwc0404

good luck, i lived there for a while. most people i know there would wake up early and plug in the block heater and have it warmed up a couple hours later when they were ready to leave. make sure you correct the mixture of coolant in radiator. and as for the snow one day it was clear the next my car at that time was buried!

lftd_86_yota

Silicone spray on the weather stripping helps to prevent frozen doors. I usually saturate a rag with the stuff and wipe it on. - Josh

mwc0404

oh and invest in the small aerosol cans of door lock de-icer

toyota4x4907

Blah blah blah. De-icer? Auto-start?? lock de-icer, what?! You guys are weird!

Get a small battery heater pad, an actual block heater (one that goes in a freeze plug) and an oil pan heater. You'll be SET. Also, 5w-30 oil helps when its -20F and colder. Never had a problem with 10w-30 warmer than that in any of my 22res. Make sure you use 60/40 mix of anti-freeze/distilled water, mixed properly. Get a plug in outlet timer so you dont have to get up earlier just to plug your truck in. Let her warm up a 5+ minutes before driving after sitting over night, or for over 2 hours, when its below 0. And be careful