Winter Dress

[jonesal]

Now that spring is here, here are some pics of the Deuce in winter dress. The winterization blankets work ...ok. I think they help when it's below zero, but it's not a huge help. I would think the winterization heater for the powerplant would be the very best to have... which I cannot afford. (insert whining here).

My Deuce starts like crap below about 20 degrees. I think I have some IP or injector issues that I will chase this summer. Yes, I have been reading a lot of threads about this problem so at least I have an idea of what to chase. I will install a block heater this summer too.

Allen

 

[rosco]

Its been a long while since I saw the blankets. I have seen the fronts come up for sale, but not the blankets. 30 years ago, when you saw the truck on the road in winter, they were in full winter dress.
The new vehicles, don't use blankets here. Back then I had blankets for the M37 & M211, but they only last so long. The 211 had both the coolant & personal fuel burning heaters.

Its good to see your truck, in full dress. It looks sharp. Take care of those blankets.

Lee in Alaska

 

[bassetdeuce]

A block heater will likely fix your starting problem @ 20.

 

[jonesal]

Yes, you are absolutely right! I installed a 1200W block heater (by removing a coolant plug near the rear of the block) and it starts right up now, tested down to -20F. Made a HUGE difference. Here's the cold weather mods I've done that really do make the difference:

1) Block heater
2) Full hood blanket (with front winter cover)
3) Battery minder
4) Currently installing the insulation kit in the cab and hard top (these are really nice kits!)
5) Hot water cab heater (and wishing I could afford the fuel style - the coolant one really does a poor job below 10F IMO)
6) New windscreen seals
7) Working on door and side window seals right now
Installed rubber plugs in all the holes of the cab and hard top
9) New stock hard top seals (the stock ones really are nice, contrary to some recent posts)

Still looking for 2 sets of dually chains for 9.00 x 20 tires...

They're predicting another hard winter in the upper Midwest. Ouch.

Allen

 

[CobraCDR]

Just in time, winter is coming here in the frozen north!

 

[cruzinz28]

My LDS Engine starts like crap below 50 degrees. I too think I have an injector pump timing issue. Even in the summer it takes many revolutions and a slight tap of the throttle to start.

I'm only in Maryland, but without the winter dress installed I can't get the truck above 120 and with the winter dress on I only see 150 on the stat if I'm lucky.

I have the fuel fireed personel heater and the fuel fired block heater and battery wamer.... jsut need to find time to install it all.

 

[Wildchild467]

i know what you mean, i want to put a frost plug block heater in my truck, but time is hard to find.

 

[JoshHefnerX]

Ok, so these trucks need a blanky when it's cold out... Seriously...?


Josh

 

[emr]

Thanks That is SWEET She looks so cozy...

 

[91W350]

Riley recently sold some deuces with all the clips for the blankets, but no blankets. I had not seen them before. Glen

 

[jonesal]

The coldest I've started the deuce is 28F below zero. I really do think the hood blanket (sorry, should have called it a "Hood Cover Kit") makes a difference. Below about +20F, without the Radiator Cover, I can forget getting the engine up to operating temp (~185F). So ya, seriously.

Two recommendations. First, measure 5 times before you install the gazillion clips. That's a lot of holes you're putting in your sheet metal and you want them so you don't get canvas flutter. Second, do not store the canvas where it is hot. It shrinks and takes effort to stretch it back out. I know because I hung the canvas on the inside of my metal shop (no insulation - see pic above) and it shrank. Now I fold it up and store away from the metal siding.

Have fun,
Allen
'70 M35A2
'55 M38A1

 

[Crazyguypa]

Nice setup. i've got a new set (hood blanket and side covers) for my deuce, just need the time to put them on. Putting on all those clips is the P.I.T.A part. Once they're in it's not too bad putting the covers on or off. I still need to put a hole in the one side where the intake is, need to find someone by me that does canvas work.

I've also got a NOS set for a M211 / M135 off of Ebay a couple of years ago.... guy said they fit the M35. I knew they were wrong as soon as I laid them out. The difference it quite obvious.

 

[jonesal]

Note that there isn't supposed to be a hole in the canvas for the air intake. You want to draw in warm air from the engine compartment if it's that cold. It's in the TMs somewhere. That being said, i did cut a hole in mine and stitched it. I'm wishing I hadn't...

 

[jwaller]

I have spent the last 2 years trying to get all the clips installed. I've got the grill and side panels done and I'm still working on getting the clips on for the hood blanket.

I finished up the fuel cab heater and have installed the engine heater but it's not operational yet. I do have the arctic battery box with coolant heater for the batteries in the cab.

 

[Crazyguypa]

Note that there isn't supposed to be a hole in the canvas for the air intake. You want to draw in warm air from the engine compartment if it's that cold. It's in the TMs somewhere.

I figured as much. I'm going to have it done by a professional, so it looks like it belongs. I'm going to have it made so it is actually a flap with buckles and straps to put back if for some ungodly reason I would want to travel to an even colder climate.

I may have to mark it up and send it up to John Tennis to have him stitch it up right if I can't find anyone local. I have several peices that John has made and I like his work.

 

[F18hornetM]

I was lucky...I think, the one I bought has the clips installed but no winter front. Now I'll see if the new winter front fits

 

[shenkmen]

I skipped the clips and used zip ties instead for the front cover.