OK, as posted in "General Chat", I am flying out Sioux Falls, SD to pick up a 712M. Was plannning on driving it home to Wyoming (1000 miles). The plan was to do it 2 days, stopping over in Rapid City.
Well the weather forcast is not looking good. Single digit highs and sub-zero lows. I have my fingers crossed for a slight warming trend beyond the forcast window.
Anyway, How cold would you risk it? I'm not worried about me personally. I can layer it on enough to be semi-comfortable. Heck I go skiing all day, or what have you, here when it's hovering around 0. But I sure don't want to blow up my "new" truck. Bad thing is of course, I already booked my flight and the tickets are not refundable.
How cold would you go??
Moderator: TechMOGogy
How cold would you go??
1973 712M
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Jim LaGuardia
- Posts: 1707
- Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2004 3:42 pm
- Location: San Bernardino Ca
- Contact:
The truck can handle the cold without any problem. As far as you are concerned take 2 blankets with you. One you should hang between the 2 front seats in such a way that you block the front section from the rear - it will give you a more comfortable "heated" ride. The second blanket is for you - in case of an emergency - you'll be warm 
Don't forget to check the oil on every fill up. Using the choke tends to burn more oil!
Jacques
Don't forget to check the oil on every fill up. Using the choke tends to burn more oil!Jacques
I'm Surprised AK_Nimrod hasn't chimed in yet.
He's been putzing around Alaska in -20F.
As others have said, the truck will do just fine.
(Air-cooled engines are a beautiful thing)
The advice from Jacques holds true: You will be much more comfortable if you can isolate the cab.
Also:
Try to plug ANY and ALL air gaps in the cab. 2 important spots that may be letting a lot of cold air into the cab:
1) Under the floorboards there are 2 drain holes that should have rubber plugs. Make sure the rubber plugs are in place. If they are missing, find something to fill those holes.
2) at the base of your high/low range shift lever there is a gap usually filled with cheap foam. Find something better, like a piece of insulation to block the air from coming in directly onto your feet while driving.
Most importantly have a safe and fun journey. You're gonna love your new truck!
Welcome to the club!
He's been putzing around Alaska in -20F.
As others have said, the truck will do just fine.
(Air-cooled engines are a beautiful thing)
The advice from Jacques holds true: You will be much more comfortable if you can isolate the cab.
Also:
Try to plug ANY and ALL air gaps in the cab. 2 important spots that may be letting a lot of cold air into the cab:
1) Under the floorboards there are 2 drain holes that should have rubber plugs. Make sure the rubber plugs are in place. If they are missing, find something to fill those holes.
2) at the base of your high/low range shift lever there is a gap usually filled with cheap foam. Find something better, like a piece of insulation to block the air from coming in directly onto your feet while driving.
Most importantly have a safe and fun journey. You're gonna love your new truck!
Welcome to the club!~ TW ~
'73 710K
'73 710K
just saw the post
well when it was -26 we were working on the aux. heater so did not have it out.
at zero it was cool but not bad .....dressed appropriately. ran good and started fine......once i fix red wire @ molex connector.
rear cab partition was off being repaired so it was cooler than it should have been. i thought about building a wall of blue board to help keep heat in. i also cut carpet peices to insulate floor areas and plug any holes i could.
i chickened out of the 3500 mile trip from Denver to AK and trailered it. i had purchased a small coleman propane heater for that trip.
well when it was -26 we were working on the aux. heater so did not have it out.
at zero it was cool but not bad .....dressed appropriately. ran good and started fine......once i fix red wire @ molex connector.
rear cab partition was off being repaired so it was cooler than it should have been. i thought about building a wall of blue board to help keep heat in. i also cut carpet peices to insulate floor areas and plug any holes i could.
i chickened out of the 3500 mile trip from Denver to AK and trailered it. i had purchased a small coleman propane heater for that trip.
Tough
Evidently you guys are absolute bad asses with the cold. It was -12 here this morning so i took off in the Pinz as to not be a panzy. It was cold as hell and I was wearing carharts. I sure wouldnt want to be driving it balls out in the wind down the interstate at less than 0 degress. The wind is blowing 35 mph with gusts to 50 here. I looked up the average temps in Switzerland online and it is no where near as cold there as here so i am not sure that it is a really valid comparison.
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Charles
- Posts: 68
- Joined: Sun Dec 04, 2005 1:01 pm
- Location: Twin Cities, MN and Battleship Island, BC
Hey,
If your truck is in good shape then you'll have no trouble.
I drive my 710k all the time in the freezing arse cold and my Pinzie loves it. I've made a couple of 1000mi plus drives with no trouble (though I do some TLC on the end of those).
You'll probably be taking 90 and you'll probably have lots of wind blowin in on your feet so I'd suggest some comfy/loose/warm foot coverings. Other nice trick (if you have a 12V converter) is to get yourself a heated seatcover as well (you can get these for $20 at your local car place).
Anyhoo, if you got a good Pinz, then there'll be no trouble. If not, your route is pretty heavily travelled.
Seeya
If your truck is in good shape then you'll have no trouble.
I drive my 710k all the time in the freezing arse cold and my Pinzie loves it. I've made a couple of 1000mi plus drives with no trouble (though I do some TLC on the end of those).
You'll probably be taking 90 and you'll probably have lots of wind blowin in on your feet so I'd suggest some comfy/loose/warm foot coverings. Other nice trick (if you have a 12V converter) is to get yourself a heated seatcover as well (you can get these for $20 at your local car place).
Anyhoo, if you got a good Pinz, then there'll be no trouble. If not, your route is pretty heavily travelled.
Seeya
Best Regards,
Charles
('73 710K)
PS: Keep your stick on the ice
Charles
('73 710K)
PS: Keep your stick on the ice
Ditto on the above. One thing else, make sure the cold weather flap is down on the air cleaner intake as it will help pre-warm that air and prevent any carb icing. Nothing beats going down the road in sub-zero and letting off the throttle only to find the carbs are frozen open! (Not that I have ever had this happen on my Pinz, but air-cooled VW engines with certain "mods" yes...)
1975 710M