Cold Weather Living

[HoldMyPocket]

I've only ever owned Broncos in Southern California. I'll be moving to Denver, CO soon and it looks like I'll be getting myself into a Bronco again.

The question is what precautions, common-knowledge, and tips/tricks might I need to know about living somewhere with freezing conditions?

I will likely go for a carbureted engine (custom built Holley Classic) I imagine the only thing is warming up will obviously take longer in the colder weather. Is it worthwhile to get a block, oil pan, radiator fluid, heater, etc?

 

[Timmy390]

I think EFI is your friend.......and a good battery/charging system.

Not trying to open another EFI vs. carb debate....JMO

I have one each, carb 69 Mach 1 and EFI Bronco

My 2500HD has a block heater and even in single digits sitting outside it started without using it. Cranked a bit slow but fired right up.

Tim

 

[blubuckaroo]

We moved from one of the warmer places in CA, to the Northwest.
The only things I've done different are to switch my oil to 10W-30, and use a battery tender during the down times.
Traction should be a consideration too. Select tires and differential components that will work for a cold environment.

 

[Juiceman]

live in MA, which gets pretty cold. Choke is my friend for starting. Let it warm up a bit and it is good to go. Never gets too warm inside, but that is a burden that I can live with.

 

[patterdale]

Block heater is your friend. I live in northern mn. and we get some nasty cold. Modern engines will start because of efi. Doesn't make the oil flow faster. A warm engine is a happy engine. I really only use the block heaters in our vehicle at or below zero. That includes a 2013 focus and a 2014 f-350 diesel. Make sure your antifreeze is god to @ 20 below. OIL is your call. Ours calls for 10-w40. Never changed it for cold weather.

 

[sykanr0ng]

Moving to Denver?
It's not like you're moving above the Arctic Circle.

 

[Digger556]

I live in Denver, but grew up in the Midwest. Winters here are not bad, but my Cali neighbors don't always agree. ;D We get a few cold snaps, but big snows melt right away thanks to the intensity of the sun at altitude. The mountains west of town get far more snow and cold and it sticks around all winter and into the summer at some higher elevations.

Functional-wise, carb or EFI will start and run in Denver no problem, even in the winter. I've done both at this point. Don't worry about the block heater. Good tires help if you drive in the snow. Mud tires sucks for wet traction. I've been using the new BFG KO2 and really like their grip on snow, ice and rain. Much better than the old KOs

Now if you plan to tool around the mountains or tackle some pass roads, you will be much happier with EFI. I took my Bronco over Imogene pass, which takes you over 13,000 ft. Before leaving Denver, I re-jetted the carb as lean as it would tolerate for Denver (5280') and it ran acceptable at 13,000. What really killed it was the bumping around causing the fuel in the bowls to slosh and that would cause my engine to stumble. I'm much happier with EFI and the majority of the Bronco guys here are running it.

 

[SteveL]

Moving to Denver?
It's not like you're moving above the Arctic Circle.

Damn close. You gotta realize were from so cal. My broncos have never worn more than a bikini top in the last 20 years. It's hard to remember the last time I wore more than shorts a tank top and flip flops. Sometimes a sweatshirt at dusk.

 

[anoblefox]

The secondary benefit of a coolant heater is instant warmth for the driver and passengers; my VW diesel will start at incredibly low temps; however, my reason for having a coolant heater is for MY comfort!

 

[hyghlndr]

Don't waste you money on the Holley, go with Fitech or the new Sniper.

 

[Nothing Special]

Echoing what others have said for the most part. A block heater can be nice, but isn't at all required somewhere as warm as Denver (or Minneapolis, where I am).

A carb can work, but without the heat stove (which has usually rusted away and been removed long before now) they really don't have very good manners as they warm up. Fuel injection is the simplest way to get good winter driveability.

I hope you don't have a front locker. They can be great for slow speed wheeling, but they are horribly dangerous on a snowy freeway.

For much of the cold part of the country (like Minnesota) I'd say you need another truck (so you can park the Bronco). Salt will eat up an old truck in a hurry. But I don't think Colorado uses salt.

 

[blubuckaroo]

Moving to Denver?
It's not like you're moving above the Arctic Circle.

Moving to your Colorado climate may not seem like much of an issue to you as a resident. But for someone from CA, the climate change can be intimidating.
I like to think that there are no dumb questions.

 

[1971lubr]

Moving to Denver?
It's not like you're moving above the Arctic Circle.

Haha, yeah, Denver....more sunny days per year than Miami. Average temperature in the winter is 50. It ain't the Arctic Circle. I miss Denver and it's beautiful weather.

 

[Specracer]

Or, what we do, park them in September, they come back out in May. Without tops, chilly otherwise. Wish we lived in a warmer place.

 

[pcf_mark]

EFI, 3G alternator and blower motor upgrade. I drive my truck in cold, damp PA winters and the other item I would add is better door seals and seat heaters.

 

[Lumpy]

I make sure to use gas that has had a bit of alcohol added to it when the mornings start getting cold. Stops the carb from freezing part way through warm up. I also have a manual choke.

 

[Nothing Special]

I make sure to use gas that has had a bit of alcohol added to it when the mornings start getting cold. Stops the carb from freezing part way through warm up. I also have a manual choke.

Not a problem here in MN. Finding gas without ethanol is the challenge!

 

[WheelHorse]

If I were going to live by the Rockies where I could really use the Bronco and I was also going to drive it everyday, I'd go for an modern Explorer set up.

Who is the guy always tooling around in the yellow Bronco with the K Bar S style hoodscoop always posting on FB? He drives the crap out of that thing somewhere in those parts.