Got any good suggestions for a 12v heater to keep the cab of my truck bareable?

My commute to work is 10miles, so its just getting to temp by the time I pull in. I also let it warm up for 10mins before i drive, but its just not warm enough. I take my 4mo old daughter to daycare 2x's a week and i know when we hit jan-feb its going to be too chilly in there for her.

 

Just stick your hands down your pants!!!!!
no
Get a engine block heater.

 

The truck wont warm up in 10 minutes of idling? Youve got a problem somewhere.

 

the truck will warm up, but I get very little heat between my house and work.
If I drove another 5miles or so, i get good heat.

I am sure its a combination of a tired water pump, t-stat and core. But a 12v heater is cheaper to do now just for this season until I try to convince the wife to let me get rid of this truck and get a 06+ Ram.

 

You will probably not find a heater that operates on 12 volts that will give you any heat worth mentioning, let alone warm your cab. Years back they made electric defrosters that attached to the windshield with suction cups. They were about the only things on the defroster that worked. Save your money. You might try the truckers trick and block off a part of your radiator with a piece of canvas or something else waterproof to block air flow and cut down on the radiator efficiency. If the engine gets too hot cut the piece down. Remove it for a long run.

 

Lund makes plastic grille block offs

 

Thermostats are cheap. Water pumps cost around $100(what i paid). You could gt a engine block heater, and replace those above and be set.


p.s. How many miles are on your truck?

 

35,000 btu propane heater ftw! lol, have your cab warmed up in no time. In all seriousness, walmart does sell one in the back (at mine at least) I guess you could give a shot. Like mentioned it probably wouldn't do much to heat our trucks, but if you wanted to sit it next to your daughter, i'd say it could be worth it for that at least.

 

Engine block heaters are basically for extremely cold climates to keep the oil warm for easier starting. They do not put a lot of heat into the engine, and once the truck is started they must be unplugged anyway. Connecticut doesn't quite get cold enough. Too close to Long Island!

 

I think your best bet is a winter front. If it takes that long to warm up, then blocking off part or all of the grill should suit you nicely.