I am considering getting a new truck with the lbz engine because I need the towing power to pull a large boat . During the winter months I snowmobile in northern Maine and -20 degrees is typical. Would I need to keep the truck plugged in? I do not have any experience with diesel engines. Also what should I expect to do regarding routine maintance?

I would highly suggest plugging it in when it is that cold but I know of a few people that never plug them in and don't seem to have any troubles. They just have to idle longer to warm up.

Maintenance- same as a gasser, oil changes, tranny filters, air filters,...

Also what should I expect to do regarding routine maintance?

Expect to "Pay" more... The LBZ holds 10-Quarts of oil. (5 to 7 in a Gasser) Fuel and Oil "Filters' are more, too... Expect "Time between" to be longer... and Engine to last longer :) Keep it longer and "Cost of ownership" is less.

Its best to plug it in....although if I had a gasser in that situation I would want to plug it in if possible. Will it start without being plugged in? Should no probs.

I have always wanted one of them heaters like the blue heat that is a vendor here. If I lived in a colder climate or wasnt such a cheap ass I would probably spring for one gass or electric.

Some firsthand experience here with your dilemma. I had my 02 up in Millinocket a few years ago where the daytime high was -20, overnight -40 to -45F. Nowhere to plug the truck in, and it sat like this for 4 days. When it came time to start, I cycled the glow plugs twice and fired it up. Sounded like a piston was going to come though the hood but it started, then again gas engines don't sound great at this temperature either. So they will start in weather like that but I would suggest plugging it in if at all possible.

The only precautions I would recommend are buying fuel at the closest truckstop to where you are staying(before parking the truck), and using a good winter fuel additive. I double dosed the tank with Stanadyne Performance formula(I do this every trip up north in the winter). This helps to prevent the fuel from gelling. Diesel will turn to jelly around 20F if not blended properly, different areas run different blends thats why I say to fuel locally to where you are staying.

The only other maintainence item not mentioned more common to diesels is you have to change the fuel filter every 15k miles, this is very important especially in the winter.

I snowmobile also in northen NH and my old gasser use to start no problem in -40 but she didn't like it at all. This winter when it gets cold the D-Max is getting plugged in.. I will find a plug..

Sounded like a piston was going to come though the hood but it started

Kinda makes you wonder if any damage is done when they rattle that bad. :badidea:

Richard

Kinda makes you wonder if any damage is done when they rattle that bad. :badidea:

Richard

Trust me, start up ANYTHING when its that cold and you'll hear some noises that'll make you cringe........This is when the cold flow properties of synthetic oils are appreciated:exactly: