Block heater anyone?

Hello team,
Anyone from Alaska or far Canadian north here? Do you have a blocker heater on your Taco? If so, what brand? if not, how difficult is it to install it?

 

Hi there is a toyota factory block heater. It's made just for the taco. Do a search.

 

I know, but that was not even an option on mine. Just wondering if this is std at certain places. If I have to buy one now, then I'm pretty sure there are some aftermarket brands that "may" be better that OEM.

 

I got the Toyota one. don't use it that often as the truck still starts fine at -30. a battery blanket would be a wise investment as that's where I've had my troubles, luckily I can open the garage door and boost of my car

 

I had one on my 2011. It's an easy install and works alright. I used it once and a while when it was below zero and I had to park outside. Do a search there are a few write ups on them.

 

The Fairbanks toy dealer does a winterization package on every vehicle they sell. $495 installed, block heater, electric pad under battery and one other I haven't tracked down yet, probably oil sump v- Trans pan. I'll get under there myself someday.

Typically we start plugging in at 20 above, but on a timer so the block heater and Co come on about two hours before anticipated start time.

I'm paying 25 cents per kwh up here, timer pays off quick on the electric bill. Also, timers start losing minutes every day at -20 and colder, so the heaters come on later and layet every morning. At -30F and colder I check the time on the timer daily.

Most folks running synthetic oil in these parts don't fool with oil sump heaters.

If you're not going to see sustained Temps much below -20F I would skip the sump and block heaters, run synthetic oil in the winter months and invest in a trickle charger instead of a battery blanket. Supposedly the batt will last longer and have a stronger charge every day on the trickle instead of a heating pad. Never owned one myself.

 

Twin batteries here with command start . Its 40 below for the better part of 6 months . Set the command start to run the truck every 6 hours when your at work and leave the block heater plugged in while the truck runs . Toyota uses a dry block heater on the 4 litre .I have since swapped to the wet style block heater (aftermarket }
The factory block heater works ok if you give it 3 hours of operation time before you try starting the truck.
If you skip plugging in the Taco at these negative temps , it will hardly start cranking very slowly and sounding like a diesel for the first 10 minutes . I highly suggest installing one if you plan to save your engine . I am also running synthetic oil in the winter

 

Just installed the cartridge style this weekend. Super easy, honestly about 10 mins total. Purchased a Kats brand off eBay for $50. There's a good video on utube that will show you where to find the proper install location

 

Engine block heater in Georgia . If that's the case I'll need one in Virginia as we're 3 states above you.

 

My 2014 has a Toyota block heater. The sales guy thought it was so cool because there's a plug type thing that is attached to the fog light. There is no cord sticking out of the grill or hood that you plug an extension cord to directly. You then have to attach this goofy cord with a strange end to plug in at the fog light. Then plug to a female end of an extension cord, then to an electrical outlet. Really dumb Toyota idea. Could've spent the money on this for heated mirrors instead. I've already broken the plastic housing at the fog light. Just get a regular block heater not the Toyota one. I only use it if it's -20C (-5F). or colder.

 

You better get on that Rodzilla.... Winter approaches!! Jk, I'm moving to Fairbanks next month.

 

Yeah lol, just yankin yer chain. Enjoy Fairbanks though, you'll be putting the heater to good use.

 

I've got the

$77 Kat's 11813 Engine Heater Cartridge

Kat's 11813 that I got from Carquest, it comes in the carquest box and costs a lot less than anywhere I found online. I can't seem to get the cartridge to slide all the way in though. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

There is another thread on here that just installed one. On the 2015 there is a bracket blocking you from the install location. There is one (and I mean only one) socket, wobble, and extension that allows you to get it. Search it down and you will see. I thought about adding one. I'm in northern Ohio, but I go up to northern Michigan in the winter. I have one on my kubota tractor (diesel) and it makes a huge difference. Kinda makes me wonder if it would make the taco a little happier in the cold. If nothing else, it's nice to have heat sooner!