4.0 Block Heater Install

[wight4031]

Looking for pointers/tips before my son and I install a Zerostart block heater on his 2004 TJ with the 4.0L I6. Not a lot of youtube videos on the subject, and the front freeze plug is tight to access with the power steering and the A/C compressor. Any pointers or learnings from those that have already installed an aftermarket block heater would be appreciated. We're flushing the radiator and replacing the hoses, so it's as good a time as any to install a block heater. Not required for the area he's moving to in Tennessee, but a nice to have on those cold mornings.

 

[Kid Mechanic]

Not worth the hassle, if it ain’t broke… Unless you live way up north, Montana type cold or further north.
You need to have good access to knock out the brass, removing the intake/exhaust. Make sure the area is clean-no rust, burrs, etc-otherwise it might leak without a good surface.

Proper coolant dilution and the correct oil will be all that’s needed pretty much anywhere south of the 45th parallel.

 

[bromel]

I spend winters in a place where it routinely gets to 0 degrees and I don't have a block heater. You 100% do not need one, but if you're doing it for fun, keep us updated.

 

[Superjay5]

Mine came with the factory block heater, being in northern Michigan it gets cold! I don’t DD my jeep anymore, but when I did I never saw a need to use the block heater. Having been here all my life I see zero reason to install one. We can get temps in the -10 and -20 range for a week at a time.

Never needed on any one of my gas cars or trucks…. Now if we are talking -40 type crap, I would say yes.

I agree with the other posters, I don’t think it’s worth the hassle….

 

[notnsuv]

Have you considered an inline 'tank heater' that circulates anti-freeze via heater hoses? Probably a much easier install with no freeze plugs to mess with.
https://smile.amazon.com/s?k=engine...ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_12&tag=wranglerorg-20
Been in cold weather for my entire life in both Montana and NE NV. Have not needed an engine heater since the advent of fuel injection & computerized engines. BUT, the tank heater is nice to get relatively warm fluid going through the heater core 1st thing on a cold morning.