I have a 2006 f250 6.0 I'm hoping you guys may be able to give me some information on some things I should do to prepare my truck for a cold environment before moving to valdez ak.

 

Be sure the block heater, if you have one, is working.....if you don't have one get one.
Have anti-gel on hand, double dose once it gets under 0*
Be sure all the glow plugs are working, cetane boost will help cold starts as well
Maybe invest in a cold weather front for the radiator
Would double check the coolant to be sure it's good for sub zero temps
If you are not running 5W40 diesel rated syn oil, now is a good time to switch.
Doesn't get extremely cold there but they get some good snowfall, I would want some good tires underneath me.

 

Block heater if you don't already have one. Glow plugs & charging system need to be up to par. Hfcm updated drain plug to drain water regularly. Diesel fuel antigel.

 

Chances are that the motor has a block heater - ensure that you replace the power cord for the block heater as it has endured 10+ years of Chemicals and heat near the exhaust manifold.

Start researching coolant, ensure that you do not mix coolant types.

Start researching oils, these motors do not like cold temperatures - especially with aging seals on the injectors.

 

Valdez doesn't get all that cold honestly, but you might spend some time up toward Glennallen, etc. where it does get cold. I've had good luck with quality synthetic 5w40 oil. I plug in when it get's below 20 and have battery heat pads also. Don't worry about antigel additives. All diesel refined up here goes to #1 in the fall and the last batch that I saw testing on had somewhere south of -70 degree cloud point. It doesn't even gel up in Tok and the Interior where it actually gets colder than -50. Alaska Tent and Tarp makes a nice grill cover for when it gets really cold. I have it fully closed when it gets to negative temps but above that the truck hold 190 coolant temp with it zipped open.

Fairbanks had a really cold snap here a while back, closing in on -60, and the only gelling stories I heard were from those that had a truck sitting since before all stations switch to #1 diesel. Lot's of "help me get my truck started" stuff though :-) Some oils have a pour point only down to about -40 so you can imagine the startup issues if your block heater wasn't working.

 

Burr!

That is some cold.

 

can't grow outta that user name huh Jesse lol. Listen to these guys for sure.

 

I think if you have healthy batteries and glow plugs you should be good until zero and have the block heater working correctly and you'll be fine.

 

Going to Tok for work Tues-Thurs. and taking the 6.0. Looks like a warm spell.

 

I like to charge and individually load test the batteries prior to winter.

Do you guys in Ak have to add anything to the wiper fluid to keep it from freezing?

 

Mine froze up once this year when it got colder than -30. I see -60 fluid up here but I suppose at some point there's nothing you can do?