We have been having some very cold temperatures since about December. When it is below 0, it seems like it takes forever for my truck to warm up. Also, my trans temp has a hard time getting over about 130 (no doubt due to my oversized trans cooler). So I picked up these grill inserts made by Lund. I saw these and similar inserts/covers on a lot of trucks when I was TDY in Alaska, so I thought I would try it out on my truck while temps here were so cold. I think it made a nice difference. Yesterday, it was -7 when I went to work, but with the inserts in, I warmed up to near normal operating temps, and held that all the way to work. Prior to using these, on days that temps were below 0, I could make it all the way to work and never reach operating temp on the gauge. My trans also got up to about 155-160 yesterday, which is more like what I like to see, escpecially on cold days. So I think I will keep using them when temps are in the single digit and sub zero.

They have clips on the back that clip into the honeycomb part of the grill. Installation takes just a few seconds, and they come off even faster. They actually came with a very shiney surface that I didn't like, so I hit them with some rattle-can flat black. I think that looks better. I got them from JC Whitney for $45. Anyway, here's some pics.



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they look pretty nice... i live in maine so i know how the low temps feel lol, i just start the truck and let it idle for 10-15 min depends on how cold it is

 

yea i know what ur talking about man colorado has got hit hard with cold weather and a ton of snow im going to be putting my 195 thermostat back in because my truck just does not heat up with the 180

 

Just what I am looking for. It seems that the 3-core brass radiator in my truck makes it a bear for it to warm up in weather below 31º here in Oklahoma. Once I drive around for a very long time, she warms up.

Thanks for the tip!

 

You gotta cover upthem bumper inlets too. Or it'll just render the effect of the cold weather grille.

 

No, you don't need to cover up the bumper inlets for the grill covers to be effective. Not enough air comes in the bumper inlets to matter. In fact, it probably helps a little depending on how cold it is.

 

I that the bug screens that Lund sells? If so I run them year round on my 96.

 

been cold in pa so far no problems with the heat with the 180 tstat cold like in the 20s (dont wanna here it silver.lol) but i used my old miltary canvas cut it the size of the grill do a little sewing , yes i can sew. use bonji cord and all better..

 

I just put a chunk of cardboard in front of the radiator... works perfect, fits perfect and its free.

 

Looks awesome!
NH has been pretty cold 20s but it never really takes long for my truck to warm up thank god.
But know i know what to do to fix that if it takes to long