6.0 at 30 below
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Utah Currently
6.0 at 30 below
Thought we would let you all know how our '03 6.0L is doing with the Alaska temperatures. We plug in at 10 to 20 above or colder, though it has started at -20 with only 30 minutes plug-in time (not reccommended). We have cold fronts in the grill and block heater, oil pan heater and battery heaters(used occasionally - will probably switch to trickle chargers).
The truck runs well once warmed up - a little more noise than usual until then. As with anything at -30, the clutch is a bit sluggish as well as the brake pedal. We have found that ABS does not do well below -20 and we typically apply the brakes a bit when going down the road to loosen them up. We have driven it at -48 and it got us where we wanted to go.
18,000 miles and counting.
There are a lot of new Fords here in the Fairbanks/North Pole area. Good sign.
The truck runs well once warmed up - a little more noise than usual until then. As with anything at -30, the clutch is a bit sluggish as well as the brake pedal. We have found that ABS does not do well below -20 and we typically apply the brakes a bit when going down the road to loosen them up. We have driven it at -48 and it got us where we wanted to go.
18,000 miles and counting.
There are a lot of new Fords here in the Fairbanks/North Pole area. Good sign.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 1
From: Racine WI
hows your trucks heater work in that cold, man I cant imagine that, tho I will say that if there is no wind, I cant much tell the difference from -5 to -15 dont get that cold here often tho, i can tell from 60 to 70 tho, the wind can make the cold alot sicker too
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Utah Currently
We do not get much wind, that helps. The heater does fine. We have to turn it down sometimes or it will bake you. The defroster does have trouble keeping the windows clear when it is really cold, but does well enough to see.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Pacific Northwest
Alaska PS...I had the chance to work in Fairbanks last winter. An old scrap yard, Dirty Petes place,anyways...we never had a prob with our deisels thru the winter, although it was a mild one, the coldest we saw was -40. We had them run all day during that spell. Just my .02 worth. I might end up there again in July...we'll see.
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 0
From: Carlsbad, California
How long does it take for the tires to warm up?
I can remember driving in -10 to -20 degree weather in Nebraska growing up and waiting for the tires to stop thumping for the first several blocks because of the flat spot at the bottom of the tire.
But that was a car tire with 32 psi, I guess the truck at 65+ psi wouldn't be as flat.
Still darn glad I live in San Diego now.
I can remember driving in -10 to -20 degree weather in Nebraska growing up and waiting for the tires to stop thumping for the first several blocks because of the flat spot at the bottom of the tire.
But that was a car tire with 32 psi, I guess the truck at 65+ psi wouldn't be as flat.
Still darn glad I live in San Diego now.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Utah Currently
We only run #1 after November. There was an issue earlier this year with #2 being sold as #1 and the dealership was full of diesels being thawed out. Cheap fuel is not the way to go.
Doesn't seem to have as much power with #1, runs just fine otherwise. We are looking into the suggested additive.
Tires take a couple of miles before they feel round again. Not as bad with the higher psi.
BDU33: Thanks for cleaning that place up!
Doesn't seem to have as much power with #1, runs just fine otherwise. We are looking into the suggested additive.
Tires take a couple of miles before they feel round again. Not as bad with the higher psi.
BDU33: Thanks for cleaning that place up!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: Okinawa Japan
Originally posted by ALASKAF250
I was wondering how the trucks were doing up in squarebanks.. I almost picked one up from there but CAL had a nicer one. Keep any eye on the Fan belt might snap in the cold. The 7.3's in Prudhoe do.
I was wondering how the trucks were doing up in squarebanks.. I almost picked one up from there but CAL had a nicer one. Keep any eye on the Fan belt might snap in the cold. The 7.3's in Prudhoe do.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Moreno Valley,California
Did some camping in the Grandcanyon from Dec.29,2003 to Jan 02,2004. the coldest night went down to 6 degree. Had no problems starting in the mornning.
_____________________
03 XLT F250/ supercab /camper pkg/lance camper 815
_____________________
03 XLT F250/ supercab /camper pkg/lance camper 815