Ok I searched this topic and read all that I could find but still haven't been able to decide if I need to get one of these for my truck.

I live in Washington state and ski a lot in the winter time. As my name here sorta hints http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

The truck will see low temps probably around 15-30 degrees on the weekends. maybe lower depends on what kind of winter we get. But during the week it'll be in town where the temps probalby won't go below 45 or so when it gets driven.

Will my truck benefit from having a winter front on it for these conditions? If so should I take it off during the week? It usually is driven unloaded so I guess heat may not be that much of an issue for it.

I am no expert but I was just reading in my manual and it says only put
the cover on when it is, I think it said, below 0. Even then it is not
really needed until you have sustained temps below zero.

I put my Cloud Rider (http://community.webshots.com/photo/72251092/103358005jJjteT) cold front on when the temps are consistently in the 30's and lower.
http://thumb5.webshots.com/s/thumb4/5/80/5/103358005jJjteT_th.jpg
I find that it helps the engine warm up quickly and maintain operating temp. It can also be left on with ambient temps up to 55-60 degF.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley23.gifEdited by: jbplock

I agree with jbplock. I have a cloud rider for my GMC and it really does help. If you have the factory covers just use the grill cover and forget the bumper cover.


SteveEdited by: bigsky1

I get an extra MPG when it's cooler with my cover on. Keeps engine warm, heater works better/faster, stays warmer between stops.


At $2.19 http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley19.gifa gallon, I'll take every mpg I can get!

I leave it on unless i have a problem with the temps getting up there. Watch your trans and water temps and you will be fine. IIRC I have been in 50 temps and it has been fine. Throws the temp sensor in the mirror for a loop though. Mine will be going on fairly soon.


Ran the factory last year and have a SS cloudrider ordered from maxpower that I will run this year. Still have the bumper cover unusedEdited by: ratlover

Ive kept it on into the mid to high 60's with NO trouble at all.
(Just the part over the radiator, not the bumper cover)....



Heater stil sucks unless youre climbing a hill.

How hard are the Cloud rider fronts to remove and install? Say on an ongoing basis?

How hard are the Cloud rider fronts to remove and install <?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />


The Cloud Rider comes on and off fairly quick. The only trick is getting the clips aligned ... once you get the hang of it they can be put on and off in a couple minutes. I have some pictures posted on webshots that show the various pieces and mounting H/W as follows:


Cloud Rider Pictures (http://community.webshots.com/album/63497470OVEkww)


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley23.gif

JBPLOCK; thanx. Looked at your pics. Like the bug screen. Where did you get that?



Also, how do you get at the fittings for winter front-for the back? Crawl underneath truck?

So it sounds like a winter front is in my list of goodies to get. I was looking at the lund, or the cloud rider ss winter fronts. Are they the same thing? They look identical. And where would be the best place to get one?

Does any one have the part number for teh GM version?? My truck seems to run too COLD!





Pilot

JBPLOCK; thanx. Looked at your pics. Like the bug screen. Where did you get that?

Also, how do you get at the fittings for winter front-for the back? Crawl underneath truck?


Max, thanks for the feedback..http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif The bug screen in the pics is homemade ...Check out this thread - Bug Screens Revisited (http://dieselplace.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11380&KW) - for more info.

Regarding the Cold Front, it can be mounted from the front - no need to access the back. The clips go through the grill openings and the turn to grab the back of the grill.

Also regarding LUND vs Cloud Rider, I remember reading that Cloud Rider is the OEM for Lund (???) Can anyone confirm this?

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley23.gif

Soon I will have a GM one for my Chevy available. Waiting on the SS version. Bumpercover never used and the grill used one season.


GM just has the black fabric kind, no SS version.

Kinda lookin forward to the vinyl cover wearing out.

[QOUTE=mannytranny]
Heater stil sucks unless youre climbing a hill.
[/QUOTE]


Awww, that where the electric seat comes into play. I am toasted even before the heater really starts to kick in. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley32.gif


Edited by: Melvin Hatcher

I put the front cover on when the temps are 30f or so then probably stays on for 10 weeks on average. Without it the engine temp really doesn't warm up enough.

Anybody need one?? I just got one with my truck and realized that it won't be needed in my climate. Never seen another similar truck here with one of those on. If interested, drop me an e-mail at: cep_bd@msn.com


The list price is $55, I'll ship it to you for that price. :)

B-rad502 is yours the factory one or the cloudrider? probably the factory but just thought I'd ask

If you are looking for the factory part numbers they are:


Front grill only: 15179679


Lower Bumper only: 15179680





Pilot

Hey Pilot,


Are those the GMC PN's, or the Chevy PN's?


ThanksEdited by: 05LLY

The part numbers are for GMC, they also work on the GM parts.com site also.





Pilot

I'm wondering if there is a significant difference between the LLY and LB7 here. My LLY provides cab heat surprisingly fast for a diesel in my opinion. I think it warms the interior much faster than my dad's LB7. Is this due to EGR?


However, my water temp still seems to be about the same as his....


For what it's worth, I was pleasantly surprised about my HVAC system on the LLY as compared to my 6.0 gasser. The D-Max will toast me out or freeze me out, whichever I command. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley4.gif

Mine is 2 pieces and has the GMC logo on it.

SOLD!!!!


Patrick, I will ship it out on Monday!http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif

I have the Lund version...looks identical to me except for the clips...the 'bumper cover' clips are the style all around. Takes a few minutes getting on...but the benefit is there. Just do not try to put them on when it is already cold...that sucks!

So it sounds like a winter front is in my list of goodies to get. I was looking at the lund, or the cloud rider ss winter fronts. Are they the same thing? They look identical. And where would be the best place to get one?


As most are saying, I put mine on today temps in the forties and it just takes forever to warm up and the trans temp seems stuck on 100. I got mine last Winter late and you can run it into the low 60 degree area if you want. Just keep an eye on the temps if you do that, but with the Cloud Rider, you can put it on or take it off in about two minutes.


You can get them from Max Power here, or direct from Cloud Rider, both are in Canada.

Thanks Zeeb I just sent off a PM to maxpower a little while ago so hopefully these things aren't out of my budget.

Thanks Zeeb I just sent off a PM to maxpower a little while ago so hopefully these things aren't out of my budget.


Well Max ran a group buy last year that I missed out on because it was so late in the season, he didn't have what I wanted in stock but offered to order it. I wanted the black powder coated stainless version for a GMC.


I went straight to Cloud Rider and IIRC, the one I got retailed for about $150.00 Canadian. With the currency exchange rate being what it is and shipping it seems like it was about $130.00 US? They are very well made and it fits perfectly.


Can't remember the price for sure, but considering I'd already wasted $60.00 on a Lexan Lund that was a piece of junk, I wish I'd gone Cloud Rider first. I've heard a number of people here say Cloud Rider MAY make the Lund, but I don't know. After the Lexan deal I wasn't going to buy Lund again.


If you can swing it price wise, I'd say it's the only way to go...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley9.gif

Sweet, I was hoping they'd be under $200 so if max can get me one for around $130 I'll be stoked. Man, winter is teasing me, it's so close but there's not quite enough snow in the hills for them to open yet.

To All, I have an unused 2-pc grill cover that fits an '01 GMC. Private message me if interested. Lets make a deal.

Just for the record I have never used my cover but it is under the rear seat for the need.


The temps here have been in the mid 20's and I just take mine out on the highway and in about 2 miles the engine temp is at approx. 140 deg. It does not seem to bother me a bit, but I have been told that I am a cold hearted sumbeach.


Temps will take longer to get warmed up if only driving stop light to stop light then if taking it on the highway for a spin.

140 degrees isn't exactly operating temp is it? Does your truck ever make it up to operating temps on the freeway withought the winterfront at low air temperatures?

No, 140 is not exactly prime operating temp., but it does not take long to get to the right temps. , but I was just trying to say that for my truck to get to optimal temps.


From what I get out of this topic is that the main complaint is that it is cold in the cab and some don't like it to be that cold and not so much the correct temps for the engine to be running at for maximum performance.

Cloud Rider Pictures (http://community.webshots.com/album/63497470OVEkww)


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley23.gif





jbplock, did you get your air dam plug from Cloud Rider or did you make it up with parts from your local supply store?http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley5.gif

jbplock, did you get your air dam plug from Cloud Rider ...

Melvin,

Yes, The cloud rider package I bought from MaxPower came with 4 pieces - two for the grille and two for the holes in the bumper.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley23.gif

Just got my Cloud Rider cover from max power yesterday. Almost want the temps to drop some more so I can put it on. Very nicehttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley16.gif


I have a never used bumpercover and a grill cover used 1 season off my 03 chevy thats going in the FS forum for cheap if anyone is interested. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley2.gif

jbplock, did you get your air dam plug from Cloud Rider ...

Melvin,

Yes, The cloud rider package I bought from MaxPower came with 4 pieces - two for the grille and two for the holes in the bumper.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley23.gif


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley1.gif Err, I was referring to the plug and receptacle in the lower valance panel for the block heater.


I am sorry if I didn't make my question clear. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley9.gif

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley9.gif Sorry Melvin...


I bought the receptacle from www.westmarine.com (http://www.westmarine.com).


http://www.westmarine.com/images/full/08475_f.jpg

Westmarine.com - Marinco 150BBI (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&amp;langId=-1&amp;catalogId=10001&amp;productId=14773)


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley23.gif

I was thining of putting in an autoeject plug. They are too expensive for what they are but sure would be handy.

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley9.gif Sorry Melvin...


I bought the receptacle from www.westmarine.com (http://www.westmarine.com). http://www.westmarine.com/images/full/08475_f.jpg


Westmarine.com - Marinco 150BBI (http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&amp;langId=-1&amp;catalogId=10001&amp;productId=14773)


http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley23.gif





Thank you, thank you! http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley32.gif


Now, how did you attach the factory block heater cord to the marine plug, did you add cable or change the factory plug for the marine plug? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley9.gif

Melvin,
I used the Marinco plug to make an extension cord (12 gauge). I fed the cord up near the drivers side battery and plugged the block heater into the extension cord - see picture (http://community.webshots.com/photo/63497470/101311018NwYsMY). .... (more pics - middle of the page) (http://community.webshots.com/album/63497470OVEkww)

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/smiley23.gif

Can't remember the price for sure, but considering I'd already wasted $60.00 on a Lexan Lund that was a piece of junk, I wish I'd gone Cloud Rider first. I've heard a number of people here say Cloud Rider MAY make the Lund, but I don't know. After the Lexan deal I wasn't going to buy Lund again.
hey Zeeb, can you elaborate on why you hated the Lund winter cover?

Never thought I'd put the winter cover on, but at a high temp. of 2*F today the interior heat was still ample but operating temp never got above 180*. Truck started smoking for the first time. It would smoke everytime you accelerated hard. I attribute it to never getting up to the proper temp. Winter cover went on and I'll see if there's a difference tomorrow. Left the bumper cover off.

BTW..........Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!! 0*F as I type with a 20MPH wind :eek:

My cardboard I cut that fits between the AC cooler and the radiator, behind the mount, works just fine. Think I need to cut another piece that'll fit in front of the tranny cooler because it stays awfully cold.

Black spraypaint makes it not noticable.. ;) LOL

Never thought I'd put the winter cover on, but at a high temp. of 2*F today the interior heat was still ample but operating temp never got above 180*. Truck started smoking for the first time. It would smoke everytime you accelerated hard. I attribute it to never getting up to the proper temp. Winter cover went on and I'll see if there's a difference tomorrow. Left the bumper cover off.

BTW..........Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!! 0*F as I type with a 20MPH wind :eek:

-2*F on the way to work this AM. Winter front was on (bumper front was not) and engine temp went up to normal operating temp at cruising speeds. Still could see the exhaust in the headlights of other cars everytime I accelerated, but then again, every other vehicle on the road was doing the same thing.