So I moved my 89 Bronco with me to Spokane, Washington a few months back. I've driven it in snow and cold weather before but I have this feeling its going to be a lot colder and a lot snowier for a lot longer than either myself or my truck is used to. I need this thing to last through the winter because the bottom line is I have no alternative vehicle for the weather. So what do I need to do to make sure this thing starts every morning when its 0 deg F outside and there's a foot of snow behind it? Is a block heater worth the trouble and potential leak point? Oil pan heater? Battery heater?? Should I just make sure it's got gas in it and quit worrying? Soliciting suggestions/advice.

I've owned it for 8 years now and as long as there has been power going to it from the battery it has always started for me. Of course I start thinking about this today and then I hear on the news that it's going to be below freezing tonight...did I mention I'm not a fan of cold weather?!

 

having a good quality battery installed with a lot of cold cranking amps is key, also replace any old battery cables now as this will help the system start.

Throw some HEET into the tank every couple fill ups to help keep moisture out.

make sure all your fluids are topped off and test the rad fluid to make sure it can handle the colder temps. give the truck a few extra mins in the morning to warm up before driving off. this will help not only the motor but also the tranny.

thats all i can think of at the moment.

 

Good stuff Kem. Battery cables are on the list for next week anyway - they let me down recently.

 

check out this place
RJM Injection Tech — Welcome

great source for making cables, upgrading altenator etc..

 

I too live in Washington but on the west side of the mountains. We rarely get temps below 20 degrees... I have never been over in your area in winter time though, i know summer gets pretty warms so i am not surprised it is cold there.

Depending on how much it snows vs ices over, you could look at putting a blanket over the windsheild so when you start it up it won't take as long to defrost. Also, spray some WD-40 in your locks and look for some gel to put on the door seals. I think people sometimes use Vaseline? This will keep the seals from sticking to the door and being ripped off.

 

Prepare for that road salt...

 

Ah yes, Road salt is a big issue. I used to wash cars at a dealership and roadsalt was always a pain to deal with.

 

Yep and I don't even have to deal with it here cause it don't snow much mauahahaha...

 

I don't get too much on the west side of WA but due to the moisture in the air, we get ice. So even when it hasn't snowed, they start de-icing the roads.

 

Gruesome - This is my first winter here so we will see. I've heard everything from it will never snow to 96" at a time to nothing but ice so I have no idea what's going to happen. I've also been told you guys on the west get all the rain and wet stuff and we get the snow.

I'm a fan of the silicone spray for the door seals - good idea on the door locks though.

Kem - Thanks for the link, have been looking for good battery lugs like this, really haven't found anything else out there.

Anyone - Is a Yellow Top worth the investment?

 

I currently have the yellow top in my 78, i like it due to not having liquid in it. Running it in my 78, there isn't really anything that would take a large toll on it. I think i is worth it though.

We do get a lot of rain here, For winter i don't have a clue. They tell us we will have a lame winter with no snow but then they tell us it will be bad. Who knows. Last year we had a good amount of snow ( i like to drive in it) but we had a terrible ice storm that took trees and power lines down. It was bad.

 

Since I live in newengland , hence the name lol, the winter can be ridiculous sometimes, keep that gas tank no less than half a tank at all times during the winter. Use the right weighted oil 10w 20 or w/e it is. During the winter I always keep extra bottles of all fluids, and tow straps. Last year we had a random nor' easter in October that dropped about 2feet of snow and went driving around and saw a few people stuck. I went up Washington Valley, northern NewHampshire one winter with my truck and the next morning it was something like -15, took a bit to start but my truck still started right up. Since Broncos are short wheel based, becareful when braking and turning in snow if you dont have the best tires, if your not careful youll get a nice 360 degree spin happened to me in a parking lot because my ABS doesnt work my brakes locked up lol.

 

Haha last year we had a solid foot or 2 of snow, it was the first time i tried out my 4wd and drove my truck in the snow. My 35's were new i think. They didn't grip at all. Having 2 different gear ratios made it impossible to use 4wd. I didn't know this till i found the ratios. Now i have no front drive line so i should have no issue this year.

 

When I lived up north and had my first 78 Bronco I had a "block heater" that was actually a heater in the lower radiator hose. To install it you take the hose off, cut it, put in the heater, then clamp the two hose halves on it, reinstall the hose, and away you go. It was nice 'cause I put it in a new hose and kept the old one intact as a spare should something happen. I only plugged it in when it was 0 degrees or less outside for the overnight temp. Never had a problem with it starting. Also put a "stranded" kit in the back just in case. Food, Water, sleeping bag, flares, etc...

 

They dont salt the roads out west. they do use a chemical deicer though that isnt supposed to harm vehicles but i doubt that.