It is going to be a high of -15 here by the weekend, and would like to put in a cold front, but don't really want to scratch up my grill-anyone that lives up here in the cold have any suggestions? I ordered a lund snap in, but not sure I will be happy with it

 

I've got the Lund cold front as well...not really happy with it. It does the job but does scratch up the grill pretty good after a couple of uses. Only others I've seen involve drilling in permanent snaps into the grill for a cover. I've been thinking about cutting a slot behind the grill on top that would let me slide a slightly perforated piece of sheet metal behind the grille and in front of the radiator. Enough holes in it to keep the engine warm, but not restrict all air through the radiator...temps go from 0F to 50F around here in a day sometimes. Could even build a summer screen to go in the slot to keep the rocks & bugs from getting impaled in the radiator. Why Ford doesn't sell the diesels with a factory cover like GM is beyond me. -- 72Lester

 

I bought this Stainless Steel one for $120 and I think it makes the Stroker look pretty fancy, I can put it on in about 2 minutes and take off within 20 seconds. I beleive its made by Plate or something like that it might be a Lund to??
Heres a pic of my truck with it on

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...106507.520.390

 

That looks nice, I think Lund makes that one-did it scratch up your grill when you installed it?

 

I don't think it did, mine doesn't have the chrome on it so harder to tell but I plan on putting the same style on in summer but with the slots cut in it all over.

 

not to thread jack but 1468lp how did you mount your cb antennas to the tt mirrors
are they functional or what how dod they ground sweeeeeet setup i want to do it myself

 

cabelas has a nice vinyl cover that has snaps that just stick on. it has 2 windows that you can cover up if its cold and open if it gets warm for a couple of days and it is only $40

 

I bought some Diesel CB mountings from a truckstop, I needed longer bolts as the mirror mounts are so large, and then bought Wilson Antennas with a built in ground cable I can't say much if the ground cable works or not as I just hooked it to the mounting bolt and thats on the plastic mirror mount but in comes in clear if your in close range just needs a stronger radio to work better I had to put in a small CB Radio as with the 6 Speed there isn't much room. I only have 1 antenna hooked up as duals are hard to get to work with each other. I can get picks if you want some.

 

i got the same one as you 1486lp, i like it alot, i take it off in the summer, i sure notice in the winter the trucks warms up faster

 

something you might consider for little money, is if you only need the cold front for a few times, and don't plan on using it annually, is to remove the grille (easy) and place some cardboard across 50-75% of the grille. i would paint mine black before installing if i were to do this. experiment with how much coverage you need.

 

I have the Lund Cold Front & Like it. Easy install and the price wasn't bad. I didn't go for the stainless one - a bit too pricey for me.

I've gone the cardboard route before - this time I wanted something that could be left in & not have to worry about it. Cardboard is great until you get it soaking wet during an unexpected warm rainy spell.

I didn't notice any scratches on the grille the last time I took it out - I'll look again when it warms up. I won't be too happy if it does scratch it.

DG

 

yes please if you could pm me some pictures i'd appreciate it!
or email me either way
-steve

 

The problem with cold fronts is the charge air cooler gets blocked off too. Then you are pushing that hot compressed air back into the motor. The a/a cooler needs the air flow through it.

 

if the purpose of the cold front is to warm the engine up, hotter intake air can certainly help. one would assume you won't be working the engine too hard with the cold front on. no towing anything heavy or working the engine to the point of needing the fan to kick on.

 

You would want have at least a one square foot opening, if you did this. All the diesel engine companies recommend NO cover. What happens as soon as the engine is warm? The charge air gets too hot, the fan comes on (less horsepower) next it derates the motor to get air temp below 150. But you probably have a gauge for that ?