I leave my 85 F150 outside and I usually don't drive it until the weekends. What can I do with my truck to ensure it starts and doesn't freeze in the Wisconsin winter?

 

Can't someobdy help this guy out with his question? All this bringing up of old topics keeps pushing newer stuff backwards and posts like this one get lost.

 

Well living in SC I cant say too much about this but I think a block heater would be a good idea.

 

I hear you on that one Stange. I live in Kansas, usually in the teens or lower now. Heres what I do. The truck sits about 5 days right. Of course make sure the antifreeze is up to code, and put a piece of cardboard inside the grille and to the lower of the radiator, (most heat is down there). Since your checking it, make sure your hoses don't have any cracks. I have a block heater on my F-150, and it is really nice to have. I just start it, and it won't high idle at all, and turn the heater on, and it blasts hot air in about 1 minute. Of course maintence is THE KEY! Make sure she's in good running condidition, and the battery is in good shape, check your terminals for corrosion, and if possible keep it close to a building, under an awning or something. Otherwise, make sure it idles to warm up. Our pushrods don't like extreme cold weather

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Toydestroyer1@yahoo.com

1993 F-150 302/e4od/355 Limited slip. dual exhuast w/o mufflers,2 1/4" pipes with Echo Tips, headers, accel plugs/wires(8.6mm)/rotor/cap, hypertech powermodule, 4 degree advance,Blaster Coil,MSd 6A Ignition, TPS Mod,hopefully roller rockers in the future!!5% dark tint. Alpine cd player and Pioneer speakers.

1989 F-150 XLT 4x4 302/aod true duals with turbo mufflers, 30X9.50" wild country tires, 3:55 gears

2000 Superduty CrewCab v-10, auto,2wd, Dad's company truck

 

I lived in Hudson Wisconsin for over 15 years...and I know all to well what the frigid cold can do to a vehicle. The darn seats in my 1975 Toronado were as hard as a rock every time I sat on them. (This car sat outside all of the time).

An engine block heater will really help...but get a good one so it will not burn out. Also, don't leave it plugged in all of the time...go in cycles. Make sure your antifreeze is ideal for the temperatures!

You have to periodically start your vehicle throughout the week to move the fluids around and to help keep a charge in the battery. The cold will kill a battery rather quick if it sits too long.

Also, do not rev your engine when it first starts in that cold...the oil takes a short while to warm up and get around your engine. Switching to 5W-30 will also help will the extreme cold flowability.

Make sure to keep the snow and ice off of the vehicle..the day time sun will help warm the vehicle if you can keep as much of the snow and ice off of it. If not..the snow and ice will act as a blanket and block the sun....and keep your vehicle much colder.

Also..if your vehicle usually sits outside..and you then occassionally park it in a garage..with less than a full tank...moisture will likely form inside the fuel tank and lines and then you will experience FROZEN FUEL LINES! The rule of thumb is to keep your fuel tank full or as full as possible if you decide to park it inside. Heat or ISOHEAT will also help keep everything moisture free.

Ahhh....how I miss the Wisconsin winters!!

If I can think of anything else..I will make sure to pass them on to you!!!

Go Vikings!

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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99




[This message has been edited by Dustoff (edited 01-18-2000).]

 

Hey I forgot some of those! Thanks Dustoff! Ya, I am learning today too!

 

I forgot to mention that you can buy a battery warmer...which surrounds your battery (usually not the top)...and is heated by plugging it into an electrical outlet from your house. They do not get extremely hot..so there is NO risk from melting or a fire...but warm enough to help keep the battery warm.

It works..and works well! It will greatly help keep your battery from being zapped by the cold.

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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99


[This message has been edited by Dustoff (edited 01-19-2000).]