Just made the leap to a 2K F150 7700 with a 5.4. Am wondering about cold starting at
-35 F without the block heater being plugged in. Am considering a propane engine heater for my situation. Any recommendations? My 87 F250 300-6 4x4 is a treat and has never let me down. Starts at these temps nicely using 0W30.

Wished I lived in world that some of the contributers do. 1.50 a gallon? 4 bucks here. 75-95+ mph? sometimes pulling a trailer? Whew - we have few roads staight or smooth enough for that. Radar detectors? Illegal here. Leave my truck on bush road while enjoying the outdoors but its got to start when I get back out in the sub zero temps after a couple of days. We have 4x4 heaven with thousands of miles of logging roads and trails. Any comments on the ride of the 7700. I bought for the clearance, carrying capacity, 0-0-0 financing from Ford, bigger brakes, 4 wheel disks, good Ford experience with 87 F250, and to use a truck for haulin toys from atv's to Zodiacs.

 

I have the F250 "lightduty," which is the same as the F150 w/ 7700 pkg. Never had any problems up here in AK when it's -20 below. It even starts up with the autostart. When I went to Fairbanks last year for a week and it averaged -45 below, but I plugged it in and it started right up.

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1999 F250 LD S/C XLT 4x4
5.4L, 3.73, 4R100 trans.
Flowmaster 40 "DF" series, K&N, Superchip, WMS Velocity Tube, Rancho RSX shocks, Hellwig rear swaybar, Stull billet grille, 2-PIAA Pro80XT's (120W), 2-KC Daylighters (150W), Clear Side Lens Mod w/ 9006 (55W bulbs). 265/70 R17 BFG AT KO's on 17x8 American Racing Atlas rims
Kenwood 7007 CD, Alpine 3342 Signal Processor, Alpine MRV-F353 5Ch. Amp, Pioneer TS-A6865 3-way speakers, MTX Thunderforms. CompuStar alarm/autostart. On the way: Performance Accessories 3" body lift, 33/12.5/17 ProComps, GSP grille guard and more KC's

 

Compared to my buddy's '99 Silverado, mine rides like a lumber-wagon -- but I keep 50 PSI in the LT245's; and his P265's get 35 PSI.

The truck really smoothes out at 70+ MPH -- and I love the Goodyear RT/S in the snow.

Our temps don't get below -10F here (seems they have been getting down that low for a couple of weeks on and off, now) -- and/but if I had a block heater, maybe I'd use it.

I use Mobil-1 5W-30 -- and/but would consider 0W-30 for winter use.

The truck had never even suggested that it is cold (but I do have an attached garage that must be good for a couple dozen degrees F overnight.

I hope you like yours as much as I love mine.



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Y2K™ 7700 4x4
Jim - N8JG@Hotmail.com

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

Hey Yamafan, I've got the 4.6 but I don't imagine the cold starting dilema would be any different.

Anyway, I've had it unplugged down to around -30 to -35C and it's started no problems. The battery was a little slow but it turned over no problem. I didn't have any fears that it wouldn't . . . unlike other vehicles I've started in similar temps.

It did start much nicer when plugged in though. I usually plug it in at anything below -20C or so.

I've got 5W30 in it. The engine also heats up quite quickly . . . very nice when it's
-30