Winterization

[aluk09]

I recently bought the truck from Texas, and was wondering what all needs to be done for the truck to run well in the Winter. I was thinking about the usual like Engine Block Heater and Battery Warmer, however when looking up the oil pan itself, it's grooved. How is anything supposed to stick to the pan to get the surface area for keeping that warm?

Lastly, are there other things out there, besides the three mentioned above, that you folks think might need to be on the truck?

Keep in mind I live in Interior Alaska, temps reach as low as -60 Fahrenheit, and I don't have a garage to keep the truck warm during the Winter months.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[BoostN]

Check this for the cord, https://www.ecodieselram.com/forum/threads/engine-block-heater.407/#post-2438

If yours doesn't have it, you can buy one from Amazon:

Amazon.com: Kat's 28500 18/3 Gauge, 5' Straight in Replacement Cord: Automotive

Buy Kat's 28500 18/3 Gauge, 5' Straight in Replacement Cord: Gauges - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

amzn.to

 

[Jimdb1]

I was wondering about a statement made regarding the installation of an oil pan heater being a bad thing.
They claim that pan heater will only heat oil / pan. This could cause 5 w 40 oil to actually be thicker due to temperature controlled viscosity features.
Hmmm ? My questions first are regarding Rotella T6 5w40: 1) At what temp does the oil become heavier than say 15 weight? 2) What is the weight when engine oil temp is 103C (218 F). The regarding pan heater of say 200 W size, how hot does it get the oil?
So is there some truth to this concern about pan heaters. I would install a block heater if it was a simpler process ( my wife's LR2 2L gas engine). Dum ars mfg does not supply block heater.! Has winter mode, heated windshield and fast warm defrost....but no block heater wth !!

 

[James115]

I recently bought the truck from Texas, and was wondering what all needs to be done for the truck to run well in the Winter. I was thinking about the usual like Engine Block Heater and Battery Warmer, however when looking up the oil pan itself, it's grooved. How is anything supposed to stick to the pan to get the surface area for keeping that warm?

Lastly, are there other things out there, besides the three mentioned above, that you folks think might need to be on the truck?

Keep in mind I live in Interior Alaska, temps reach as low as -60 Fahrenheit, and I don't have a garage to keep the truck warm during the Winter months.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

It’s my understanding that every engine has the block heater installed from factory. It’s the $120 dollar cord FCA sells that’s needed. Or you can get the very same cord on Amazon for $25. Also heater is not in oil passages but in antifreeze section of engine. Found all this out on my 2017 eco. You can access block heater thru right front wheel well. Unless your triple jointed best to remove tire for best access. I was getting an dealer oil change and ask service writer if their mechanic would plug my cord onto heater. They obliged. I routed cord and plug end after returning home.