Moving from California to a place with harsh winters. What do I need?
You need to sell your rust free car in winterland and make some big $$$$$
If your up for selling I would do this, rust free vehicles in cold climates are super rare
Depends on the cold climate, super cold climates as opposed to says generally don’t use salt as it doesn’t work as well as stone
Yeah do something like put new cheap tires on it or something and use the money as a down payment on something better for cold. Plus diesel prices are nuts.
That’s so crazy go hear. Where I’m at in California diesel is actually cheaper than 87 octane at the moment
What’s making you assume his Dodge is rust free? We have beaches and shit. All kinds of rust can gather on vehicles that are near beaches.
I'd like to know what your definition of "harsh Winters" actually is.
Good idea to ensure your block heater actually works. Unless you're going to be experiencing really cold Winter temperatures (below -30°C/-22°F) you won't need a pan heater.
I would install a Winter Guard on your truck. They commonly referred to as a "grille cover", but are known as Winter Guards by the truck accessory shops. They're more for keeping the damn wind out of the engine bay (which in turn blows cold air right into your fresh air intake for your cab) it'll do wonders on keeping your windshield clear of frost & snow.
Lastly,,,,please ensure you stash the block heater plug when not in use. Besides looking like drooling idiot (the truck, not you, LOL!) the salt & shit will wreck it soon than later.
Canadian here. Wabastos or proheats are also nice enough. Bit more money but gotta love feeling the heat immediately. Also as mentioned below. Antigel, both the standard and 911 on hand in case
Montana
SW Montana here.
Winter blend fuel starts in October and ends in April, they’re typically rated to -20. I only run anti-gel or add a little #1 diesel when it’s below 0. I run also Power Service additive when it below freezing to help the emissions system burn clean. Plug in your trucks grid heater (you may need to add the cord but the rest is already there), use the winter front when it’s near zero. The new 5th gen Rams have active shutters that close when it gets below 32 so you don’t need the winter front all the time. Change your fuel filters at the end of October. Run 5w40 for the winter when you change the filters. Switch to 15w40 in April. If you have a weak battery you will find out at the worst time. Only keep the def tank about 1/2 full when temps get down below 11 degrees, def needs room to expand when it freezes. Get some good all terrain tires, I like Toyo Open Country AT3.
This part is important for newer trucks: Make sure you’re not taking short trips, long idling or driving around town unloaded. The emissions will not be happy with you. If you tow infrequently or don’t drive at highway speeds for at least 30 minutes your truck will be in a constant regen and clog up. You may want to consider a gasser if your routine doesn’t allow the truck to build heat.
A little bit of prep and they are flawless.
I had a guy from my corporate office in California out about a month ago and he was pitching about how cold it was... I was quite comfortable with the 65f and sun shine.
I grew up in SOCAL where it went as low as the mid-50’s during the winter mornings. It was essentially the arctic for us. I’d even wear gloves. Then I moved to the Rockies.
There’s also plenty of places in California with harsh winters.
Lake Tahoe would be one place.
A new vehicle. Just kidding, you are definitely gonna need a block heater, and run 5w40 full synthetic and anti gel. Cycle those glow plugs a few times before start and replace them every few years.
Cummins don't typically have glow plugs.
The 5.9s definitely don't.
Yeah mine doesn’t it has a grid heater. I’ve got a 6.7. I didn’t think about the 5.9s not having them.
Yeah. We have grid heaters too. It's a popular delete item, but I haven't felt the need to do it.
I'm in TX, so usually not an issue for me. I have a dangle plug, so if it gets too cold I can just plug it in.
Maybe someday.
Fuel additives are also recommended!
Highly recommended!
I use em even in summer
Driving an 87 300SD?
Most cummins use intake heaters. Not glow plugs
Any place that actually gets cold the fuel is treated by the fuel station, so you don't need anti gel until about -15f. Just keep a bottle of 911 power service in your truck at all times in case it gets really cold and you start to lose power. Remember adding extra anti gel does nothing but cost you money, It doesn't depress the gel point anymore.
Montana you said? Just a block heater and you’re good to go.
Albertan here who works in the far north often, working in -40 Celsius and colder. A block heater and a winter front will get ya rolling 90% of the time. Pan heater helps but I’ve never needed one yet.
Leave any liberal ideology behind in California. If you're interested in a better place, don't try to change it to what you just ran away from. Best of luck.
Plug in the block heater every night from Fall to after Mother's Day. Even if garaged. Makes start up easier. If parking outside and seeing temps below 0° regularly battery blankets come in handy too.
Good starter, cables, and batteries.
In my experience the 5.9 at least is a pretty easy starting diesel engine for cold weather. Having a working grid heater helps, fuel additive is a must and plug it in if it gets much below freezing. Keep a spare fuel filter with you in case it gels
How cold we talking? I've seen people recommend oil types and bock heaters, but I was in Fairbanks AK for a few years, and we needed a bit more. If it's similar to that climate: battery pad heater, block heater, engine oil pan heater, trans oil pan heater, all linked to a artic rated cord splitter and single plug is zip tied to hang out the front grill a few inches. Use artic rated cord to plug in when not in use. (Can use timer set a few hours before use. Non-artic rated cords will crack and break when too cold.) Pan heaters are just glued to bottom of pans with high temp rtv, clean spot on pan really well. Coolant ratio needs to be upped for colder Temps. We ran all synthetic oil since it didn't thicken up as bad, especially power steering fluid; seen a couple rigs blow power steering lines that didn't swap. Heard a fuel additive for anti gel could help (we didn't use any fuel additives as the fuel stations run winter fuel mix that has something in it to stop gelling I believe, never had any fuel issues in the 3 winters I was there).
If you don't want anti gel get 5 gallons of kerosene will fix you up.
Cavity was, fluid film, keep antigel on hand, hot shot winter for the fill ups.
Good luck!
We left CA 2 years ago, miss what it was but glad to be away from the government.
Cardboard for the rad when it’s really cold
make sure you have a healthy alternator and starter, i also have a portable battery jumper, block heater and some anti gel. On nights below 0 I also usually put cardboard in front of my grille as a make shift winter grille guard! 🤙
I think there’s a fuel pre heater in your lift pump. I’d make sure that works.
You can add insulation into your doors pretty easy but the rest of the cab will be a pain in the ass.
Mines cool cause it’s got a second fuel tank I fill with vegetable oil and it’s got a coolant line that heats the oil which is rad. If you put diesel in there it really chooches
Working block plug and grid heater at minimum. Make sure your coolant is rated for the temp (block will freeze and potentially crack if it’s not rated for the weather). Winter front is not a bad idea either. As for fuel, not sure how the US diesel is but in Canada the stations will bring in winter diesel later in the year so it’s less likely to gel. Doesn’t hurt to carry a thing of anti gel just in case to run in the truck if need be. Would also recommend running 5w-40 during the winter.
Southern Idaho here.
Invest in a set of oversized batteries. I run group 34 sized batteries like the books call for however, instead of the 750-775 CCA like what’s called for I’m running 1000-1100 CCA. Makes a huge difference. I keep her plugged in whenever I can and I add Lucas Anti-gel when temps dip down into the single digits and lower. With what old_skool_luvr mentioned keeping your block heater plug rounded up in mind I would invest in a bumper mount for your block heater cord like I did. I got mine from genosgarage.com well worth the $50-$60. I’ve never had or used a grille blanket thingy. I’ve always ran 15w-40 year round and never had problems just let her idle for 10-15 minutes to warm up a bit before you take off.
Stay in California, Montana is full.
Stay in California
A block heater, maybe a transmission pan heater and battery wraps. My 5.9 lives in Alaska with nothing but a block heater, grid heater was deleted years ago. Starts every time even at -40+!! I don't drive it much because of being 2WD and a dually. If I leave it sit for long periods, I hook up the battery tender. Ensure you have good batteries!!! No need to go switching oils or anything before you get to where you are going and figure out what works for you. I run 15w40 in all my diesels all year round. The 6.0 Excursion hated 5w40 so I switched it back and had no issues since. My automatic vehicles have block heater, oil pan heater, transmission pan heater and battery wraps.
To change your mind
Stay in California chances are they don't want you there.
Block heater, decent tires, and a 55 gallon drum of Fluid film and reapply every year. I moved from Florida with a rust free 2wd 98 1500. 5 years later, sold it still rust free. I wish I could've kept it as a summer car, but I needed 4x4 due to my service territory for work (was in town mostly before I got a new job, roads were treated and plowed nicely. New job expanded territory to the mountains and not so well maintained roads, 2wd sucks on untreated snowy roads).
To avoid rust that will INEVITABLY come with the salty roads, I'd highly highly highly recommend getting a few cans of Fluid Film and spraying down the whole frame /underside of the cab.
Im surprised the commiefornians let you register a pre emissions diesel there.
You need to be sure to NOT bring any California politics with you.
Fluid film undercarriage spray. And POR15. A lot of it. Block heater. Grille cover for staying at temp in harsh temps. Get a few guns too. Not necessarily for the truck, just to celebrate leaving California.
If you don’t have rust, you will after your first winter.
Undercoat your frame.
Any product recommendations? I’ve obviously never done this before
Fluid film works great. I pressure wash the undercarriage and apply once a year. No rust yet.
Grab a bucket or some cans of POR15.
They have detailed instructions with their product about prep and all.
A block heater and possibly even an oil pan heater too.
Some swear by grille covers to help keep operating temp up.
If it’s truly frigid wherever you’re going, you might even wanna switch to 60/40 coolant/water ratio.
Welcome to the brotherhood of dangling grille plugs.
How harsh? I live in the sierras and don’t have an issue with no grid heater. I just plug in at night. That’s in a 12 valve
It will be rusted out soo bad with in next 2 years your driver seat might fall thru the floor
What are the odds your from hb?
A new bumper
Different regions handle their harsh weather differently. The vehicle you have now is particularly allergic to salt.
Coming to Ohio? There seems to be a large amount of Californians coming here.
They're everywhere. Worse than the rona...
5w40 synthetic diesel oil, diesel fuel system additive with some anti gel you add to every fill up, and find the block heater cord for plug ins. If the grid heater has been removed, put it back on the intake.
As far as the block heater, you can get a timed box to turn the circuit on 4 hours before you need to leave for work. That will save on your power bill and extend the life of the heater.
Other than that, a big ass ice and snow scraper. Haha. Maybe a garage if you can afford to live at a place with one. Even covered parking at an apartment is better than nothing.
On cold starts, cycle the key twice. Primes the fuel system. And listen for the fuel pump to keep running until it shuts off before you key it the 2nd time.
That combination all together, it should always start first try.
Ether, aka Cosby Sauce, aka Date In A Can.
A brain
If it's an area that uses salt on the roads, wash your truck weekly. Whether auto or manual wash, make sure the bottom gets washed every time, too. It's very helpful in preventing rust.
Fluid film the living shit out of your truck if you want to keep it rust free
Absolute must have is anti gel, it’s the most important imo, due to the fact that none of the other stuff matters if the truck doesn’t run. Following very closely in terms of importance is a decent winter weight oil so you’re not fuckin up your engine too badly.
After that, a block heater because well these old bitches want to bark and growl below 20 degrees and it will extend the life of your truck. Also maybe a bra if you’re driving heavily in sub zero weather.
Please undercoat it
Undercoating and better tires. Make sure your heat works
UNDERCOAT for the truck and over coat for you ❄️ 🧊 brrr
A winter beater
Just don’t go spraying everything with that black rubbery undercoat crap or bed liner. All that will do is trap in moisture where it doesn’t belong. Have it sprayed with a wax based protectant like Woolwax, waxoyl, etc. I had a truck that was factory sprayed with a wax based undercoating and it lasted years. It sucks to work on but that’s not its purpose. Fluidfilm is also a good product. Or if you really hate the shops and environment, hit it with an air sprayer and used motor oil right before winter. To be fair, I’ve seen a lot of guys do this and it works fine. It’s also basically free.
Fluid Film or Surface Shield
Store it for the winter. I’ve ruined a few southern trucks in NY with the absolutely ridiculous amount of salt they throw down from October to April lol
A winter beater if you like your truck and want to keep it from rusting out I like second gens so im being serious
A winter set of tires.
Engine warmer and gas tank warmer. Your diesel will turn to sludge. When you start your engine give it minutes to warm up on a cold day.
Ensure you have a new grid heater, heater wires, and solenoid. Get a block heater installed.
Doesn’t matter you won’t be ready
Depends on how hard. I normaly see winters that get as low as -10°F -20°F I have a grid heater that works and some anti-gel and I’m good to go.
I live in northern Alberta where it regularly gets below -40 in the winter, these are my suggestions for your truck , winter rated tires, block heater ,battery warmer or trickle charger and a winter front . I also have a silicone oil pan heater on my diesel and it makes a huge difference on fridges morning starts .
Money for moving out of state tax lol, if the grid heater works your golden. We hit -40f pretty regularly in winter and never had issue. I do like to plug the block heater in but there’s been more mornings then not she’s been stone cold and fires up the first time every time!!
A really good coating on the frame and suspension with fluid film or wool wax.
A new truck. Use that as winter and new as summer.
Block heater would be good for the motor and newer batteries
underbody coat and wash the salt off as soon as possible in winter it’ll last you a long time mine is on its 25th year in the midwest with zero body rust
That utility bed truck next to yours.
What state are you moving to?
patience and skills. the ride won't matter without those two things.
Block heater
make sure your coolant is the right mixture. block heater or a coolant heater for winter
Paint. Any exposed metal will turn into holes in a couple months once you get the salt brine soaking into it
Bf Goodich T/As are good in snow and on the highway. Keep some mylar emergency bags in case you get stranded. Clothing layers are better than a heavy coat.
Shovel
Block heater
Get the biggest battery you can with the most cold cranking amps. Check your block heater you’ll be fine 95% of the winter. Plug it in below -15c I’m just north of Montana in Alberta. You’ll be fine
Those first peterbilt style rams rotted terribly so easily. You are gonna need to dip that whole truck in fluidfilm to make sure the salt dust doesn't penetrate every crevice (crevahss as caveman lawyer would say).
1st thing you need to do is learn to drive in the state you move to and blend in then learn how to drive in the snow with that truck so you dont look stupid sitting there stuck for no reason.
It’s not what you drive, it’s how you drive it. Iv lived in conditions that reach -40° and seen people with Honda civics making it to work on time where people with F350s are showing no up late. Having a garage helps but being humble and learning to drive slow when the weather gets bad helps more.
A Chevy
To exercise your newly acknowledged rights
Gun rack
Playstation 5
How did you set up air for your horns? Badass.
missoula is a cool town, good luck
Good snow tires.
Install a Block heater or make sure the one you have is good just use a multi meter and ohm it out look online to get a number your trucks block heater should ohm out at use number 1 diesel from November 1st to April 1st use a lighter oil change fuel and oil before winter hits make sure there’s equal parts anti freeze in your cooling system and not just water make sure your glow plugs are fresh or in good working order fresh batteries always adds piece of mind get a good jump box or cables just in case and make sure your 4x4 parts are in good shape brother you could even get a magnet heater and put it on your oil pan if it gets real cold out here in nd we’ve seen 50 below and my truck starts every time good luck ol son!🤞🏻
Gpr backup. Block heater. De icer windhsield fluid. 4x4
Go back too California, nobody wants your California opinion!
A fire.
A long extension cord!! 😜😜
Keep a nice warm blanket in your vehicle.
I've used it more times than I can count. And I've never been "trapped in a car."
You just never know when you'll need a blanket.
Cold, someone asleep in the car, wrapping up injured critters, protecting fragile stuff, picnics.
We keep a super old Invader Zim fleece blanket in our expedition.
I actually used it today. Wrapped my legs with it cause I misjudged today's Forcast and was freezing. Wearing shorts and a thin hoodie while it was 50 degrees and raining with 30mph winds.
A pat on the back for leaving that shit hole.
Recirculating coolant heater I recommend a 1500W.
Might also want to change your coolant mix to 60/40.
Basse layer, good boots, baklava, insulated gloves
Block heater, oil pan heater, transmission pan heater, trickle charger. Coming from interior Alaska with winters as cold as -60F
Your head examined!
Take off those silly air horns.
Oil heater jumper box. Chins
To stay in Cali-
Nah Jk just please leave the California where it belongs and welcome to America
4wd and weight on the back axle
Block heater.
That’ll do just fine, godspeed!
4 wheel drive is a must especially if you have a truck. If it’s not you’re pretty much screwed and you won’t be able to sell that one if it’s not.
To stay in Cali. Don't wreck the rest of the country for us.
Plow
Real snow tires.
Snow plow , diesel/oil mixture to spray from mid height of truck body and undercarriage, to prevent salt erosion
Don’t know where you’re going but make sure you leave your California politics in California
WINTER. TIRES. can't stress how important these are.
Common sense
Extension cords, battery chargers, block heaters and ether.
Whatever vehicle you drive. I've heard it's well worth it to rust proof every year or 2, maybe more often. Not sure what to do if you already have rust. I mean it is a dodge.
Make sure that trucks defroster works and heat
A jacket
Gonna want something to move snow. Idk what your idea of a harsh winter is but the winter of 21 and 22 really taught me how invaluable it is to have a motorized plow of some sort. We're talking major snow, feet not inches, and temps down into the negative 40s and 50s. A block heater is nice, so is a tarp and a little buddy heater if it gets really bad.
Winter of 21 I had 8-12 foot drifts all around the north and west side of the house, I had 6 foot tall drift that ran straight down the entire length of my quarter mile long driveway, and every road to the place was drifted so bad you couldn't see the difference between the field, the ditch, and the road. Not to mention the ground blizzards that get kicked up when the wind comes through.
Yay more transplants
A physiatrist
To reconsider!
All season tires and a car wash subscription with an underbody wash
A new government in California
You need bigger air horns on top of your Ram. And staaaaaaacks...
Don’t vote like you did in CA
Something that starts in cold weather and can get around easily in snow. 1984 vw rabbit diesel. Snow tires. Something light with power. Also recommend 1995/6 v6 4wd Ford Ranger with toyos. Starts in -15* weather.
Let’s start a betting pool on how long it will take the OP to start saying the typical California whine “……but in California [fill-in the stupidity that they do in California]”
From being in Vermont only thing I recommend is undercoating it
Bigger truck?
A beater with a heater and park the truck for the winter.
Go back to Cali
Hope you like deer meat, if you don't prepare for some discrimination.
Block heater
A jacket
Check coolant, fluid film the bottom
Fresh tires
You need to stay in California and out of my nice snowy state ;)
To leave your politics in california
Fluid film, lots of it, and reapply yearly.
Maga flag.
Rustproofng
Layers. Always dress in layers in winter. Battery jumper cold kills batteries. Boots, good socks, good gloves, good coat, ice scraper telescoping, sun glasses snow glare is annoying, Carmex. No scarf, for the love of god don’t wear a scarf lol
How far north are you going? In central alaska we usually run block heater, oil pan heater, Trans pan heater, and a battery tender. It's a pretty simple process to put it all on and wire together. Oh and if you like and trust your vehicle keep it. Not everywhere rust out your vehicles. When I was in Minnesota there was a lot of rust, in central alaska there's no rust. Just depends on where salt gets used excessively.
So sorry to hear you’ve been in communist California!
Ear muffs for your air horns
If you are outside a lot I absolutely love the wrangler insulated pants and you can get different thicknesses too...also dress in layers.
Stay in California all the other states are full no one wants Californians moving into their state..
Snow tires, weight in the bed of the truck during the winter, chains maybe?, winch maybe?, oil or fluid film undercoat and repeat yearly.
Make sure you leave California liberalism in THAT state and don't bring it to the next. The lefts will need it to finish off that state. It's so close to being destroyed anyways...
A different attitude...which part of CA is important.
Good chance you need to change plugs now. Make sure your block heater works. Run power service white bottle in the winter with every tank. I would carry some diesel 911 with me too. Make sure you have a good set of 1000CCA batteries
Ice scraper
You will have to learn to eat meat, everyone will wave at you, neighbors will be helpful and friendly. Buy a gun...or 20.
A better truck. Something not associated with dodge
A coat and a plumbed up heater core
Good tires, a cord to keep her warm at night and work if possible. A good noco jump pack just in case. Never needed a jump pack for myself. But I have never needed anything else. The cord for the grid heater isn't needed but diesels appreciate it alot.
to start going outside in 28° weather and T-shirts
Good tires are a must
New tires. Don't worry to much as the salt will destroy your truck in a few years no matter what you do
Undercoat that frame & brake lines asamfp
A house with heat
Just make sure the state is Red and you’ll be amazed about how life is so much better!! And cheaper!!
Have you considered doing all of us a favor and changing your mind about moving?? Cali is the best.. you should stay.
Take it somewhere for an under body cleaning and thorough coating with a lanolin based rust inhibitor. You will thank yourself in five years!
Stay in California
A change of plates
About 3x your current salary to make it worthwhile.
Leave any California ideals in California.
Remote starter to heat it up while ur still inside
You need a block heater
A back up plan.
Windshield wipers
Nothing dude. Nothing at all. You made the smartest decision of your life leaving the shittiest state in this country you're ahead of most
Look into undercoating for the frame and such if you have a clean frame and want it to stay clean
Need to move to Florida.
Warm socks