Not to mention that it sits high - it felt like I was driving a tall skinny scout- i normally was driving a jetta at the time, which felt comfortable, snug to the ground. Got into the loander PT, and it felt like i was in the scout - but instead of a nice wide stable wheelbase, I was jacked up on something skinny enough it made me nervous to try and corner fast or do fast curves. THen when I got the jetta back it was like riding in a roller skate. But I much prefer the safer stable feel of the wider lower wheelbase.
The Cruiser is front-wheel drive; how much would that help? (Other than pouring the sand under the front wheels, that is. 
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No, don’t “adjust” the engine to run hotter. The proper (factory temperature) engine thermostat will keep the engine, when fully warmed up, in the desired (and needed) temperature range. In this case, I’m pretty sure a hotter thermostat is not even available, but if it were there would be a risk of overheating and possible engine damage.
For some vehicles with very efficient radiators being used in bitterly cold climate (more like Alaska than Wisconsin), a winter front may be helpful to avoid overcooling.
On a related note, while colder-than-factory-spec thermostats are available for many vehicles, it’s not wise to use them. They can prevent the engine from getting fully warmed up and keep it from running at full efficiency. Fuel mileage, performance, emissions, and sometimes engine durability can be affected.
Bought a 2005, liked that it sat up high, lotsa room with back seats down. Drove it from AZ to northern NV, in the winter, with the front wheel drive got thru the mountain ok. There are tons of them in northern Nv. Sold it because we moved overseas.
Sorry.