LB7 in Alaska, barely gets warm

[guyatlantic]

Hello,

Hope Im in the right section, anyways I have an 2003 LB7, I live in Fairbanks, Alaska. My truck never gets above 160 on the dash and the heat never gets hot, I just recently moved to Fairbanks and its gets downright cold here compared to North Carolina, my native state and where i just moved from. Its been down to -47F so far since september.
Anyways, enough of the history lol.
My heat never gets hot like it should, even when its 32 above 0 it still will barely get heat in the cab, not cold air but luke warm.
Anyways my question is, would this be a symptom of one of my thermostats being bad. I know being in htis extreme cold I cant expect much but people with the same truck have good heat in theirs.

to round everything up, today it was -6 to -18 barely got luke warm. would it be worth a shot to buy a new set of thermostats or would it be wise to test them?
For for the non- organised post, thanks for your help in advance.

 

[JDub]

I assume you have a grille cover on it already? We don't get nearly as cold as you do, but we see days in the single digits and nights below zero, winter grille cover definitely helps my temps.

 

[guyatlantic]

yes, i do, had it since october.

 

[Ne-max]

Its common for the thermostats to stick once they start to get up in miles.

 

[workin' diesel]

It would almost seem as if your thermostats where stuck open, not allowing the coolant to get warm enough before sending it to the radiator to cool. Does the coolant system hold pressure?

 

[guyatlantic]

yes, it holds pressure, just doest get warm enough to even defrost. thats what ive been thinking, figured id ask more seasoned drivers first.

 

[AubleAK]

cold front, new stats, and a high idle.

must have in alaska.

 

[workin' diesel]

the high idle is a good idea. I have that on my truck too. deffintaly warms it up faster.

 

[guyatlantic]

should i get a different temp thermostat for alaska or do you think stock will be fine?

 

[AKlowriderZ71]

Get the front bumper cover on too, if you have it. Also get the high idle/pto switch installed. That helps immensely to get the engine warmed up on cold starts.

If that doesn't get it hot enough, buy some thermostats from the dealer and replace them.

 

[PhilsLB7]

Get the front bumper cover on too, if you have it.

Have you thrown your bumper cover on too or just running the grill cover?

To the OP, if you have never replaced the t-stats or know if they have been replaced, replace them. They're not that hard to change.

 

[AKlowriderZ71]

No bumper cover yet, it's been pretty warm here for the past couple weeks. 20's to 30's is nuts for this time of year where I live.

 

[Burn Down]

should i get a different temp thermostat for alaska or do you think stock will be fine?

Just run the normal T-stat... High idle switch if your a LB7 & bumper cover as mentioned above will help. Driving around town they are not going to get very warm, but should defrost your windsheild...

What year is your truck?

 

[guyatlantic]

Just running grille cover atm, going to buy a thermostat tonight. But, I'm wondering which one, lol I should buy both I know, just always like stayin with if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Lol.

Hey burn down, been a while since we spoke, since I moved up here.

 

[AKlowriderZ71]

Buy them both. Why do the same job twice, and buy antifreeze twice? When you remove the thermostat housing cover, both stats are just sitting right there.

 

[yellowchevy]

X10
Replace both thermostats, get some good antifreeze, and be done with it.
As others have said put a cold front on or a piece of cardboard to block some of the cold air.
You should be able to change the thermostats in about 5 - 10 minutes once the water is drained.

Yellowchevy

 

[guyatlantic]

While you alaska guys are on, could I ask another question?
In these temps of -40- -60 how warm does your truck run and does the heat get hot? Just don't wanna waste my time.

 

[AKlowriderZ71]

Rarely ever gets that cold where I am. You Fairbanks guys are freakin nuts....

 

[DBUSHLB7]

Replace both, don't waste time. You'll be glad you only had to deal with the mess once. Like another member said, they are super easy to change

 

[xtremebikr04]

Running the bumper cover makes a big difference over just having the grill cover on.