I am figuring out how I will keep warm in my truck when I sleep while delivering rv trailers. To expensive to get rooms for a few hours. I can't use a 12 volt heater cause it runs down the battery and a small generator is loud but I've heard that idling these 7.3 idi isn't the best thing do do. It will be cold outside so it shouldn't overheat

 

its bad to let them idle at low idle oil psi is to low to keep it at that idle do to failing cams and lifters failing kick up the idle to 1000 ull be fine thier ur oil psi should be at around 20 psi witch is perfect for idle

 

just remember idle hrs dont show on ur odom. reduse ur pm intrevals to make up for the eng wrk

 

100% wrong wile ideleing 7 psi is all u need to be safe 20 and above is for driving

 

So what idle is recomended. I don't have a digital oil gauge

 

Make sure you have a good non leaky exhaust system and no holes in the cab. Your knap could become permanent. I lost my tailpipe recently and my cab is "well drained". Sometimes when I come to a stop the fumes in the cab are really bad, even with the windows up.

 

I second that, my previous 88 7.3 was horrible inside the cab with the windows up. that would be my only concern.

 

You can rig up a manual override for your fast idle pretty easily, it would just require a diode to keep your jumper power out of the cold advance or set them on separate switch. Adjust the fast idle solenoid out to about 900 to 1000 rpm and you should be okay. I set mine to 1100 when its dead cold out.

 

Smelly diesel exhaust in the cab is a giveaway, but remember that you can't smell carbon monoxide, so just because it smells ok in your cab does not mean you're in the clear. Go to the hardware store and get a carbon monoxide detector and set it on your dash. You owe yourself and your loved ones this 35$ favor!

 

If you're delivering RV trailers, don't any of them have heaters inside? Might also be more comfortable than crashing in the truck. Also maybe cheaper than burning all the diesel idling.

Just a thought... You might not be able to for a thousand reasons, but I figured it would be worth a mention.

 

If your serious, and sleep in your truck alot; consider one of these.

Webasto - Air Top 2000 ST for Light-Duty Commercial Vehicles

They're spendy, but save lots of fuel and wear, and make amazing heat.

 

Put in a high idle switch. Otherwise you risk wet stacking due to low engine heat output.

 

I've slept in vehicles in cold weather, get a sleeping bag and start it up if you get too cold. Shut it down when it gets hot inside and get an hour or so of sleep...repeat.

 

I would definitely invest in a small quiet generator. It might still be noisy, but you'll get use to it.


Build a small box for it somewhere on the truck, and insulate it to help reduce even more noise.

 

What should I set idle at. Is the 1000 still fair I don't have a digital oil pressure. Maybe ill use my small generator after all. Or an army issue sleeping bag......but what about my American bulldog in the front seats and no the rv is out. Hey what about propane is it toxic