My frigid 60 build (1 Viewer)

[AKcruiserfreak]

I just put in a block heater but would like to winterize my trucks more than I have in the past. All this is probably not too uncommon in the interior but a little newer to me.

Could you tell me where you got your oil pan heater and tranny heater and throw up some pictures of them if you can. I never heard of a tranny pan heater.

I was also thinking of putting in a radiator hose heater too. I like your 4 way plug junction box.

What type of battery tender do you have? any info on set up would be appreciated.

I have also heard of battery insulators or warmers, any info on what that is or where to get one?

And lastly, I like your radiator cover. I just had a new thermostat put in and a radiator and heater flush but I could still use some more heat. Where did you get yours? Did you install it yourself or have a shop do it? If you did it yourself could I get some close up pictures of it. How does it attach?

I will be happy for any info to help.....it's cold out!

I'll see if I can snap some pics of the setup tonight, but here's the skinny:
All the misc heaters and trickle charger I purchased through NAPA. They have a number of different sizes of the heater pads for batteries, oil pans, and tranny pans. I went with the biggest I could fit on each application. The trickle charger is a little 2 amp unit.
I do not run a battery blanket or battery pad due to the excessive heat those things generate which kills batteries and eventually ruins the pads with battery acid.
I also do not run an inline radiator hose heater because I have personally seen five rigs burn to the ground due to oil or some other flammable getting on the heater and catching fire. They also lose most of the heat generated into the atmosphere. You will be more than fine with a block heater.
My radiator cover is just a scrap piece of outdoor sign vinyl I cut to size and duct taped in place. (I'm a little redneck) I run a printshop that prints vinyl signs, so we have scrap everywhere. I have seen people use tinfoil, cardboard, or many strips of duct tape to achieve the same result, this just looks a tad nicer. If you can't find something similar, I can mail you a piece of scrap. If you want something personalized, I can do that too. I've been debating printing something cool on mine, but haven't had the time lately to work on it.

Hope that helps a bit. Let me know if you have any more questions.

TK

 

[ashack2004]

That is an awesome build. I am glad to see that you have everything coming togather. I am working on building mine now.

Good Luck!!!

 

[reece]

do you get any noticeable difference from blocking your grill? I finally got around to slapping some cardboard on mine, hoping I could warm things up a bit, but haven't noticed any difference at all. I was gettting up to good running temps without it, and it doesn't seem to have changed that much. I'm pretty sure I need a pretty serious heater core flush once things warm up (it will warm up eventually, won't it?)

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

That is an awesome build. I am glad to see that you have everything coming togather. I am working on building mine now.

Good Luck!!!

Thanks! Good luck on your build as well!

do you get any noticeable difference from blocking your grill? I finally got around to slapping some cardboard on mine, hoping I could warm things up a bit, but haven't noticed any difference at all. I was gettting up to good running temps without it, and it doesn't seem to have changed that much. I'm pretty sure I need a pretty serious heater core flush once things warm up (it will warm up eventually, won't it?)

The Cruiser does seem to heat up a little faster and hold it's heat better, but for some reason this rig has never heated up well. I have the hottest thermostat in it and it still never gets up to temp. crazy.
It's supposed to get real cold tonight, but warm up a bit next week.

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

Here's what I'm dealing with today! Just staying inside and stoking the fire.

TK

 

[dbleon]

I just got back from camping on the Mogollon Rim with overnight lows of 15*... I froze....

But damn that's COLD!!!

 

[Spike Strip]

I knows whatcha means. From a coupla weeks ago ---

http://api.***.com/api/click?format=go&key=adf0a72d922ed160d68ae75920f384de&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fforum.ih8mud.com%2Fchit-chat-section%2F545250-marks-off-road-3.html&v=1&libid=1327794755473&out=http%3A%2F%2Fi902.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fac222%2Falfhayes1%2Fcold.jpg&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fforum.ih8mud.com%2Fchit-chat-section%2F545250-marks-off-road-2.html&title=Mark's%20Off%20Road%20-%20Page%203&txt=%3Cimg%20src%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fi902.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fac222%2Falfhayes1%2Fcold.jpg%22%20border%3D%220%22%20alt%3D%22%22%20style%3D%22max-width%3A%20800px%22%3E&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13277947202343

 

[dbleon]

Where that^^ Mr. Strip?

 

[reece]

yeah... only -37 at my place. tried to fire the ol' girl up this morning and i'm pretty sure i could've hand cranked the motor faster. starting is pretty much a no-go for me once it hits -35.... so i'm sitting inside too, but not necessarily by choice!

 

[Spike Strip]

Mojave Desert, Caruther's Canyon, about 6K ft.

 

[jgordon]

That thing is turning out beautifully. Seems like you could point a few of those roof lights at the hood and forget the block heater...

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

That thing is turning out beautifully. Seems like you could point a few of those roof lights at the hood and forget the block heater...

lol! Yeah, if only...
I really do like these lights though. It just really sucks turning them off and feeling as though you just went blind. I'm pretty sure these things throw light at least 1/2 a mile down the road and the stock lights throw maybe 50 feet of light (or so it feels)

TK

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

I finally finshed the rear bumper swingouts! I detailed the build in my rear bumper build, but here are some poser pics. I promise to get some real action shots when I finally get this thing out of the garage.

TK

 

[cruiserpilot]

I'm completely impressed!! Makes me want to get home that much faster and get mine all wrapped up. Someday I'm coming up there to go for a tour, you can expect a call!

 

[ddnuts]

Great write up and wrenching. It's cool to also see fellow members helping each other out.

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

Cruiserpilot, Thanks for the props! Anytime you are up here, drop me a line. We've had a number of Mud members stop by to chat and wrench on their rigs.

ddnuts, that's what separates Mud from many other forums. Most mud dudes will stop what they are doing to help another member in need. Good stuff.

TK

 

[meigsrock]

MAN, I LOVE TAN!

Do the cans on the back hold gas or water? Those look like plastic cans. Where did you get them? They almost match.

Nice rear bumper.

What size are your tires? 33x10.5? or 9.5?

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

I love tan too!

The cans will hold and are rated for gas. I got them brand new at a military surplus store here in Fairbanks. They are plastic. I almost went with old school metal jerry cans, but couldn't find any that didn't have a ton of rust in them. They are a few shades off from the Cruiser tan, but still look okay back there.
Between the jerry cans, metal bumper, and rear flood lights, tailgating me would be stupid.
The tires are BFG AT's @ 33x15x10.5"

TK

 

[reece]

man, that bumper looks fantastic. once i can save up enough money, and learn how to weld, i totally need to do that. i've been keeping a lookout for your rig around town but haven't seen it yet...

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

Just buy Fourrrunner's bumper and I'll help ya weld her up. If you ever want to see the rig, I work at Advance Printing. The rig is there Mon-Fri. Feel free to stop by.

TK