Block heater/freeze plug???

This is my first post and may be a dumb question but I just moved to a new place and the winters are very cold, truck will be parked outside and I'm not sure what kind of block heater I need to purchase or where it would even go. 2006 4.7l V8 AC. Any help would be much appreciated, cheers!

 

A little bit of google searching and i came up with this link... Toyota C0140-00134

I do have a block heater in my 12 valve Cummins and it's nice to have an already warmed up engine on the really cold mornings!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34TsISkI8wM&t=0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=jDIhs7prtLQ

 

How cold? I was in northern Wisconsin for the polar vortex we had a few years ago. It got down to well below -30°F and the stuck still started fine. Of course, it took forever to warm up, but it started seemingly just as quick as normal.

 

I was searching on the same topic a few months ago and remember reading a lot of posts leaning toward "you don't need one". Which may be true, but you also don't "need" to change your oil.

I'm not sure a technical study has ever been done, but I go with the conventional wisdom that cold starts are hard on the engine. Sure, it may (or may not) start at sub-zero F temps, but what's it doing to your engine? I have a good friend who wouldn't start his truck if it was below zero. He lived close to work, and he'd walk instead.

Having a garage mostly solves this problem. But if you drive to work and park in the lot and it never gets above zero (something that doesn't happen around here as much as it used to, but still once or twice for at least a few days straight each winter), then you're back to having to start the engine sub-zero.

I lean toward the same philosophy as my friend. If I can avoid it, I don't start my truck when it's below zero. Of course that's not always possible. So I've been thinking of getting a block heater, that I'd only plug in if it's going to be 10 degrees or lower. Otherwise I don't think it's worth plugging in.

My last truck had one and yes, the difference in the sound of the engine between a block heater or no is drastic. One really makes me cringe, the other makes me happy. Cranking an engine with thick sludgy oil can't be easy on it.

 

You won't get a million miles out of that engine. Modern fuel injection and additives pretty much guarantee a start, but
crystallized oil offers zero protection, you're just damaging your engine every time you start it.

 

You have two options: First a frost plug block heater which is a stove element in your oil passages down low
should be at the back of the block. These will warm the oil and conductive heat to the block as well so it's all
warm down low. Plug and play, easy to use.. For god's sake remember to unplug before you drive away.
Second and a relatively unknown favorite is an inline coolant heater which is inserted into the lower rad hose.
Cut the hose middle, the cast aluminum element is usually about 1 1/2" so remove that much rubber hose.
Hose clamp it on and just like block heater plug and play. I used to leave the heater switch in the truck in
COLD because now that heat isn't heating into the cab. My reasoning is I want the motor warm, I want it
to start smooth and easy. In 30 sec after switching to HEAT the coolant will be circulating and it will warm
up soon enough.

Amazon.com: Kat's (16600) 1.5" Lower Radiator Heater Hose : Automotive

 

I'm seeing the linked Toyota block heater on Canadian Toyota sites, but talk on forums that it's been discontinued. Posts from 2013...Anyway I remember seeing some reviews of the Kats block heater...not so good. But if it's the only option, it's worth a shot.

I'd order the heater shown on the Canadian sites but so far when I search that part number, they're not showing my compatible vehicles, just the part. Can't afford it right now anyway but if the Toyota one is still in production and is under $100 I'll eventually get one.

Edit: it's the Kats freeze plug block heater that I wasn't seeing good reviews for. Not sure about the radiator hose version.

 

I don’t even like to hear my truck start when it gets below 10F. I’m gritting my teeth the whole time with the wear on the starter.

I’m just glad it isn’t a regular thing.

 

Exactly.

 

Ya, I don't promote any one part. It's just an example of what I'm writing about as I think many aren't sure what I'm talking about
or describing. They are hard to find in Canada now as they were suspect due to longevity concerns. My hope was to just offer
up options.
If anyone lives in real winter, and it's below -18/0F for extended periods I have a Webasto Coolant heater which is a stand alone
coolant heater that runs off the battery, but I'll guarantee if it's -40C/F and you turn it on, in 45-60 min your engine will be at 175F
and will start like a warm summer day.

 

Trust me, I know. I hate starting it in that cold- and I only do if I really have to. I don't drive it until it's nice and warm.

What I really hate is the power steering pump screaming for it's life. Hoping that my new pump and reservoir fixes that issue this winter.

 

Make sure the lines aren’t rusted otherwise it’ll all be for naught