Any cold weather prep needed

[Kaiserjeeps]

I looked around a bit but didn't see much. I did learn that the stainless brackets on my firewall were probably the ether cold start setup. I also am missing the canister. My question is what should I do for cold weather operation. I live in the pacific Northwest so our winters are pretty mild. The problem is I live in the gorge between Washington and Oregon and we get gorge winds from the east that can be in the teens. Even though the surrounding area can be higher. I would expect temps in the 30's to 40's with a rare week at maybe 25 or less. I heard diesel can gel when cold. Plus 30 WT oil has to be thick at those temps. For a fairly new duece owner, what are some good things to do for cold weather use. I would like to get the grille cover, but have not found a good deal yet. I always try to let it warm up a bit before reving it on the road. Any words of advice?

 

[Monster Man]

it's funny, a week ago we had our lows from 3 to 6 degrees. The deuce was a bugger to start then, BUT, once our lows returned to the teens she starts right up first try no problem. Those extra couple degrees make a huge difference <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_approve.gif" alt="Approve"> Just turn on your accessory switch and drain some fuel out of the first filter, that's the most likely spot you'll find water. Then with the fuel switch off turn her over to check for hydrolock, um, get some diesel fuel preservative to prevent algae (I heard diesel fuel won't gel, but it will grow algae, it'll cause the same problems)

I haven't had a problem getting up to normal operating temp by the time I get to work, even in the coldest mornings. Don't know if the radiator blanket is worth it or not.....

The most important item for cold weather is making sure your batteries are fully charged, if not and it gets really cold they could be ruined. My next purchase will be a 24v float charger

 

[Kaiserjeeps]

I'll check the local Napa for the algae stuff. Does anybody know where to get the front cold weather covers? I was thinking about sewing one up out of camo pack cloth to attach with buckles. But I am short on time. I used to make stuff sacks and camping bags, plus I have not tried the sewing machine that was loaned to me yet. The good machine went away in my divorce a year ago... Kinda rather just buy one and get it done...

 

[Longhunter7]

MM!

Diesels like to be warm! The radiator cover aka "winter front" is a very good idea!

There have been tests that show having the radiator covered, will make a big difference!

In artic conditions, the Military also uses a thick insulated hood blanket, and block heater, to keep the diesel warm!

The battery charger is the second thing I would recommend!

 

[camotruck67]

I took my deuce on a four hour, mostly highway, trip last Saturday and it took 20 miles for the temperature gauge to begin to register. It was about a 20 degree day. The highest the gauge would get was 160 when I was running at a constant 55 mph. Is this normal?

 

[big mike]

ya, its normal. my truck wouldnt go over 160 in the cold pulling a trailer, and it had mudd clogging the radiator. you can forget about the heat working. that was last year. i put a new radiator in my truck this summer, and i put on a winter front on my truck and closed the flap on a 25 degree day. the truck was actually running too hot!! i had to open the flap back up to half shut to make it run around 180 like its supposed to. the winter front and the insulated hardtop really do wonders for the heating system. it makes that whole "i froze my a$$ off in a deuce when i drove them in the service" story seem like it could never happen

 

[MV Trucker]

Al,
I should have a few NOS winter covers. If you want one, let me know and I'll see what I have.
In some areas of the country, diesel will gel. Depends some on whether it's #1 (light) or #2 (heavy). When I had retail pumps at my bulk plant, truckers would add kero or unleaded gas to the diesel to prevent the gelling. I use additives because the diesel I purchase is #2.

 

[steelsoldiers]

Yep, if it gets cold enough paraffin (a petro waste product) will crystallize and block fuel filters etc. I always run Powerservice treatment with sulfer for lube and anti-gel. The low sulfer fuels are hard on pump parts and fuel "gelling" is a real PITA. Stanadyne blue label is great treatment too, but $$$. One of the guys on the TDR where I'm a member had his filter housing plug up and kill his truck. He had to have it towed to a shop to warm up before he could get it running again. Also, buy your fuel from a busy truck stop. That way you can be assured that you get winter mix and not leftover summer stuff. That's my <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_.gif" alt="My 2 Cents">

 

[MV Trucker]

Plus, SS, there's less chance of getting algae, due to rapid turnover of product at busy fuel dispensers.
I once questioned the site manager at the branded terminal where I picked up my petroleum products about differences in #2 heating oil and diesel. At that time the only difference was the taxes added to diesel. Winter blend or #1 wasn't offered, so additives were needed by the end users. This particular brand did not gel in the temperatures around here then, but something changed and I would get really busy servicing outside fuel filters on home heating systems. In order to cut down on these service calls, we'd start cutting #2 heating oil with kerosene by putting 100 gallons in, then topping off with #2 (outside 275 gallon storage tanks)this time of year.

 

[steelsoldiers]

Yes! Excellent info there Joe! That's why we are glad to have you aboard here. With all your experience over the years, you've probably seen and done it all.

 

[Longhunter7]

Joe!

Watch out, that is Steel Soldiers sneaky way of telling you that are old! <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_wink.gif" alt="Wink"> <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_rotfl.gif" alt="ROTFL">

Merry Christmas!

 

[MV Trucker]

>all your experience over the years, you've probably seen and done it all.

Yep, it does sorta read like what you say, Longhunter! He's got a point, though, cause I'll be sixty-four real soon.
Haven't done it all yet, but I'm tryin' to!

 

[Longhunter7]

Joe!

All kidding aside, it is an honor to have you aboard!

Us "old dogs" might have a nugget or two of wisdom to share with these "young pups"! <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_wink.gif" alt="Wink"> <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_approve.gif" alt="Approve"><img src="speech/icon_speech_yes.gif" border="0">

 

[MV Trucker]

Thanks, Longhunter. I appreciate being with a forum that mostly deals with MV's. The humor is great and I've already learned a few things (yes, an old dog can be taught new tricks) I'm glad to share what I know, there was a time when I didn't know zip about military vehicles and others taught me a lot. Naturally, the school of hard knocks is still educating me.

 

[nytoak]

I live in fairbanks alaska and my m35a2 has the artic package installed. I dont have a block heater and it starts and runs fine 5-10 below, but the engine temps dont register very warm. I recommend the grill and hood covers if you are running in the extreme temps. I have been prepping the truck for a 450 mile trip to Prudhoe bay in October for a caribou hunt where temps and snow can be a life or death factor if you break down. I need to run my truck in 20-30 below temps to be comfortable for the trip.

 

[cattlerepairman]

Talk about reviving a cold, frozen thread!

 

[Vintagefarmer]

Lots of good info in this thread. Glad it was brought up. I gotta say, most of the other forums I have been on yelled at people when they dragged old threads from the depths of the database haha. Glad to see it doesn't happen here.

 

[nk14zp]

All I do is park mine so I can move them to plow snow. And I do put on winter fronts one is GI one is RN.

 

[quickfarms]

Running the truck at a temperature that is so low that it does not register on the temperature gauge can lead to lubrication issues do to the thick oil. The trucks will start when it is cold but it is not great on them. A block heater would help. The winter front is a needed item.

We actually use cardboard, in front of the radiator, here in Southern California to help the trucks with the desert radiators warm up in the yard.

Growing up back east we used to use winter fronts and plug the trucks in.

Do not forget to drain the water out of your air tanks!

 

[General Mcgregor]

Just did the winter prep today on both the MEP and the Deuce, wind chills in the teens in NH!! Brrrrrrr