Just replaced the thermostat in my '05 because I thought it was stuck open.When I would start it up in the cold winter weather, & let it idle for even 10 minutes, I would hop in and the temp guage barely moved. I would take my 7 mile commute thru the city to work and only a couple miles before I get there does needle finally reach normal operating temp & heater blow hot air.

After replacing thermostat, I noticed barely any change, so before I pull the thermostat again I am just wondering if these trucks take longer than the average vehicle to warm up? Or could it be something else? (I had the block heater plugged in & have a winter front on the truck.)

I have owned quite a few different trucks/cars in the past and so far this truck seems to take far longer to warm up than anything I have owned. Anyone else?

edit: Located in Northern Alberta Canada temps on average lately -20'C
& normally I dont let it idle for more than 5 mins, but went to 10 for curiosity sake, made no difference in temp gauge

 

Not sure where you are, but here in VA we have some chilly mornings. Was 18 degrees this morning.

I have a 3.2 mile commute. I allow my truck to idle in the driveway for 3-5 minutes (anything more is overkill and not necessarily good for the engine). By the time I get to work (6 stop lights) my temps have reached normal operating temps and it has burned off any condensation from the exhaust.
I know that doesn't truly answer your question, but it's the only example I can give relative to the matter.

 

This truck seems to warm up about as fast my the 2000 expedition I just sold. I'm in the Great White North too, so I've seen some cold temps with it.
Do wish it was as fast as a little 4-cyl car, but that's the nature of the beast with these large engines, more mass to heat so it takes longer.

 

Just my opinion but on the real cold days it seems it takes mine a little bit longer to warm up.
You would think that the colder it is the longer it takes to warm up. I just go out in the mornings and fire it up. I let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to let it get that oil warm so it can protect the motor real well and to also make sure it puts out good heat in the cab.

I def see my trucks taking longer to warm up in the winter than the summer.

In the summer I let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes.

 

The V-8 Triton engines have always been known to be very cool running engines. Not so good on those cold mornings but it does have its advantages when sitting in 12+ hour evacuation traffic jam due to an impending Hurricane! My rigs (an '01 2 valve and two '06 3 valves) have suffered the worst traffic jams in the Houston August heat during evacuations and have never come close to over-heating. But yes, they do take their time warming up.

 

I was just thinking the same thing with my 04 4.6, it does take a little longer to warm up, i drive 7 (city) miles to work and it takes about 4-5 before it gets all the way up to temp (per my edge). Which on cold mornings here in western pa (15-20* the last couple mornings) i didnt think was that bad. Yes i would like it warmer fast but oh well.

 

My 4.6 takes what seems like forever to warm up. When it's warm though it can put out some heat!

 

I know the long time it takes my truck is no problem cause i can actually see on the edge when the thermo opens and partially closes back and forth a few times until everything is all the same temp, its about a 12* difference it drops after the thremo opens.

 

Mine takes about 5 mins while driving before warm air comes out of the heater. I usually start it up and let it run for about 10-15 mins if I have time in the morning. My Ranchero's heater kicks butt, gets warm in there almost instantly!

 

My 4.6 takes about 5 minutes to where I start feeling warm air coming through the vents. I usually go outside, fire it up, and let it run for about 10 min before I leave in the morning.

 

My 5.4 takes like 2 minutes of city driving before I start to feel the heater pushing warmish air, but after 5 or 6 minutes she's warm enough that I have to turn down the heat. This is in mild Utah winters though, 20-40 degrees most mornings.