Canadian 3rd Gen Thread

Do you really need a block heater on Vancouver Island...?? I've had a Tacos for 11 yrs now and they have seen -40C with only very minor tendency to not start.... I doubt that you ever see anything below -15 on the Island. I would not bother with it... just keep the battery connections very clean, and if you don't use the truck a lot...use a battery "maintainer"...!!

 

might start but still.

They're nice to have, even if its only -15.
They work great not just for starting, but help the whole engine warm up much faster since its not warming from such a cold temp. Plus easier starting on the starter and battery etc.

You should get one John, they're great haha.

 

Agree.... But I'm retarded...er Retired....!! I can wait till the sun is up and the driveway is blown....and if it's too cold for my liking... I'll go back in the house and throw a log on the fire... F Winter..!!

 

For the island, hell no, but for everywhere else I go with my truck in the winter time yup, spend a lot of time in the interior and also in AB.

 

That is one long drive.

 

What are he chances of hitting a nail on a brand new tire on day 2?

 

I prefer the old type, plus i am extremely mobile (currently on the east coast) and if I forget that cord I am pouched. I was under the impression from the Toyota dealers I talked with the block heaters for the tacomas were oil heaters through a port in the back of the engine block, am I wrong on that?

 

Actually pretty good I'm thinking, I hit one on day 2, but it was in the tread and didn't do any damage. Took it to the dealer and told them to pull it out. Didn't feel like changing a flat tire if I didn't have too.

 

Yup, but i am contemplating a move back to the east coast and I had 6-8 weeks off from work. So I figured I would go on an adventure and go see the folks.

 

If it's the same as the Gen 2's, they use a frost plug location.

 

Yup just did some more research on it as well, finding all sorts of aftermarket ones from 30 to 90 dollars. And that nifty install video on one, thanks for that.

Steve

 

honestly can't speak for the toyota one. haven't looked into it too much just added it because I like having it.

I have an oil heater on my VW because it was preowned and the original owner didn't opt for one. But if you buy new their heater is a coolant heater.

 

Did some further research on it and it is a coolant heater. Just plugs into a port on the engine, driver side behind the cat. looks to be a relatively simple install compared to the 2nd gens. May just buy the toyota one for 180 buck and install it myself.

 

from what I understand oil heaters are easier to install since it just goes on the pan,
but a coolant heater works much better.

 

Anyone having problems with there tonneau covers freezing to the tailgate?

 

I did when I had my tundra, I use to just carry a bottle of deicer, you can buy this at canadian tire, its for spraying the windows to facilitate deicing. Anyways, after a snow storm, I'd spray the edges of the tonneau cover and it would pop right up after a few minutes. Then I would use the spray again to help dry up the remaining water.

You can also smear a think layer of grease, we use to use dielectric grease as I had a lot of it on the rubber seals. Doesn't need to be much just a thin layer. This will help keep it from freezing to the tailgate.

Steve

 

Try using a silicone spray. I get mine at Crappy Tire.... I spray all the door seals and any other stuff like that... It will stop the freezing issue.....!! Spray it on a cloth and rub your door seals, tonneau seals, etc..

 

Here in Calgary, we've had almost 14 days straight with temps below -25C for highs with -30C wind chills (only a couple -11 days)...not once did I plug in, not once did I have issues...takes roughly 5-10min to warm my truck up which I'm fine with.

 

That is great news, I've had a few hard starts here on the east coast with similar temperatures, perhaps my battery is dying, would be odd as the truck is only 8 months old? Mind you it wouldn't be the first battery I had die on me on a new truck. My 2005 2nd gen taco's battery died within 4 months when I lived in PHX, actually now that i think about it they replaced it a few times that first year, think there was a bad batch.

Anyways, I'm still going to install the block heater as there will be multiple days/week or so where the truck will not be started in minus 30 degree temps. It also puts a lot less strain on the engine.

 

go to the dealership. should still be under warranty