ok so ive had the '95 cc lb 2x4 diesel for a few weeks,

changed out the glow plugs, now it starts at 32* w/out being plugged in.

it runs and drives great, but when i go to start it while i'm waiting for the glow plugs the battery light is on. no other idiot lights just battery and wait to start. is this normal? 1 battery is new the other looks old but not dated. and the truck fires up no problem at any temp after glow plug install.

also the temp gauge has not made it to normal. i have not towed or hauled any thing worth mentioning but after running for 2+ hours i expected it to get past the N of normal. The heat blows hot. is that normal? does anyone run a tarp or cardboard over the grill to keep the air flow down?

i am a little afraid of the oil sludging (sp) since it appears to never make it to full temp.

do i need to change out my thermostat? maybe better guages? i want to do these is spring when its nice out.

i kinda figured if i can drop a window at 30* and be comfy the engine has to be warm enough. but that is not really scientific enough for me.

sorry for long post for 2 newb questions.

spark notes - battery light during gp warm up normal? and is low engine reading normal?

 

The temp gauge is a horrible liar.

the right lights are coming on.


Are you getting heat?
if not, you need a new t-stat.

Sounds like everything is going good.

 

My gauge never gets past the "N" in normal... as he said, if you have heat when needed, don't worry about it.

I have been going back and forth on the 203 degree t-stat... not sure if it's a bonus or not. I have heard some people who tow have switched back.

Richard

 

Sounds normal to me. I've had two of these trucks in the last year, and neither EVER reached past the "N" in "Normal" for the temp reading. My old truck read a little higher than my current one when fully warm, but pretty close to the same.

 

only time my temp gauge worked was right after I cleaned it with a scotch brite pad, it only worked for about 100 miles then it went back to its normal not reading worth a crap.

However, if the truck gets to hot, it will let you know it.

 

can i make the temp gauge a fuel gauge for the second tank? i want to do the a pillar gauges anyway. including accurate coolant temp.

its good to know i'm not just tearing this nice truck up. thanks

 

mine has never gotten past n while driving and it blows 140 degree air outta the vents

 

i should measure it tonight. it is nice and warm for sure.

where did you get a 90 gal main tank? i'm already tired of only fitting 12-13 gallons at a time!

 

i got it off a vegistroke truck that was bought back by ford and due to eletrical problems and they wanted the truck to be resold so we put it back to stock and i kept the tank but had to cut a hole in the top to scrape out the french fry juice and steam clean it but hey it is free the tank is made by rds and they can be found for 1000 bucks ish here is a pic of it sitting in my bed it is bolted to the bed itself

 

My truck used to never move much on the temp gauge. Didn't ever notice I never had any heat until one night deep in the woods I was sleeping in my truck and got cold. So I turned the truck on and never got warm in the truck. Put a new thermostat in and temp gauge started reading normal. Now its only getting up to the N. But not sure if I have heat it not yet as it hasn't gotten cold enough for me to have to turn the heat on.

 

ronnie i was hoping that would replace one of the stock tanks. sounds like a great deal though.

good deal on the temp. my water pump looks newer and i have not had a reason to use the air conditioning since i've owned the truck. different issues between texas and chicago i suppose.

 

the parts stores T-stats are known for dieing quickly.