getting ahead of it this year. 2016 F-350 XLT, 6.7 Power Stroke, 138,000 miles, plows parking lots around Grand Forks from about mid november on.
last winter it started every time, but it sat idling close to 20 minutes before the heater blew anything warm, and my fuel on plow nights was ugly. i plug the block heater in at 10 when i get home and pull it at 4. is six hours pointless? i have read everything from 2 hours to all night.
also does a winterfront actually do anything on a truck with no grille shutters? and the co-op pumps winter blend from november 1, but i had it cloud at minus 30 anyway in january.
R
ranch_truck_mt
Rig2020 Silverado 2500 HD L5P, Hydra-Bed
Rank
Heavy Hauler
Posts
24
Joined
Sep 2025
From
Miles City, MT
#2
3 to 4 hours gets the coolant about as warm as it is going to get. past that you are heating the night air on your own dime. buy a heavy duty outdoor timer rated for the load, the cheap christmas light kind will cook themselves.
winterfront on a truck that idles in a lot pushing snow, yes, big difference. on the interstate at 70 and zero out, not much, and keep an eye on trans temp if you tow with it on.
T
duramax_shop_tony
Rigshop truck: 2017 Silverado 3500 HD dually, L5P
Rank
Heavy Hauler
Posts
58
Joined
Sep 2025
From
Kearney, NE
#3
the Ford 6.7 runs glow plugs, not a grid heater like a Cummins. at 138k, scan it before the snow flies. we see one or two lazy plugs on almost every high mile 6.7 in the fall, and it shows up as a rough first 30 seconds, not a no start. the plugs are cheap, the labor on the back ones is where it hurts.
load test both batteries too. if one is weak the other one dies trying to carry it. anything past 4 years old i would swap before november. the service schedule for your VIN is on ford.com if you want the official intervals next to ours.
E
emissions_legal_only
Rig2018 Sierra 2500 HD L5P, bone stock
Rank
Tow Rated
Posts
22
Joined
Sep 2025
From
Brainerd, MN
#4
on the idling. 20 minutes at minus 20 is also how you end up with a regen that never gets to finish. the DPF wants exhaust heat and a cold idling truck is not making any. my L5P does way better if i drive it easy for 10 minutes instead of warming it up in the driveway.
P
plow_route_grandforksOP
Rig2016 F-350 6.7, 8 ft 2 in Boss V
Rank
Hauler
Posts
19
Joined
Sep 2025
From
Grand Forks, ND
#5
for whoever finds this later. got the heavy duty timer at Menards, $24, set it 1 am to 5 am. had it scanned like tony said: cylinder 6 glow plug open. all 8 plugs plus a module check was $610 at a diesel shop on Gateway Drive, and they said the back ones came out easy for once. batteries tested fine. winterfront is ordered.
M
montana_winters_az
Rig2021 F-350 SRW 6.7, Keystone Montana 3121RL
Rank
Tow Rated
Posts
26
Joined
Sep 2025
From
Billings, MT / Yuma, AZ
#6
fuel side, add a bottle of anti-gel before the first real cold. the stuff the co-op sells is fine. the winter blend is what saves you, the bottle is the backup for the night the station is still selling september fuel. and carry a spare fuel filter. the time you need it is at minus 30 on the shoulder of 2.
i leave for Yuma in five weeks, so after that this is all your problem.
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