Does anyone out there live in Alaska or know anything about extreme cold climates? I am trying to find info on how to prepare my 98 F-150 for Alaskan winter and the drive up there. (Driving in Feb)

 

What are the temp ranges in Alaska ?

In Calgary we get down to around -30 Deg.C quite regularly over winter. I know that in Norman Wells (120km South of the Arctic Circle) most of the vehicles have remote starters and additional heaters to get the cabs up to temp.

Check your coolant concentration, plug her in when you stop and keep a good supply of -35 Deg.C bug wash would be my suggestions.

 

Almost every vehicle in AK has a 115 volt cord coming out the front, for the battery and crankcase heaters. Every public parking space has a power outlet. Same at motels.

 

Use synthetic oil.

Mobil 1 comes in a 0W-15 weight which works well for sub-zero starting.

Also: ditto on the block heater/battery heater. A must.

 

My brother lives in Fairbanks, and he uses an oil pan heater along with the battery tray heater. He uses a copper-based RTV adhesive to glue the silicone pad heater to the bottom of the pan, and brings everything together in the engine bay to a single plug. Some folks put a ceramic space heater in the cab overnight to keep things warm, but I would be leery of that just from a fire safety standpoint.

Good luck, and use a can of Heet or similar gasoline antifreeze in every tank of gas.

 

Get a block heater. Some mount in a frost plug hole, some in a heater hose, some replace the dipsstick or mount to the oil pan. A battery warmer, either the heater plate that the battery sits on or the insulating blanket that wraps around the battery, is very useful. There are 120v interior warmers that mount under the seat or dash.

Flush the cooling system and refill with fresh coolant. Use the concentration of anti-freeze recommended for the cold you'll be in. Anchorage gets to -20 F or so, Fairbanks to -60 F or so. Synthetic/semi-synthetic motor oil is great as is the synthetic axle lubes. Check the owners' manual for the correct grade.

If the truck battery is a 3 or so years old, replace it and go for the battery with larger cold cranking amp capacity. Likewise for the alternator, if the existing unit is getting old, replace it with a higher capacity unit.

Find a winter front for the truck. Also get a set of headlight covers/protectors. Look for an old mud flap or thick mat to mount between the fuel tank and the tank's hangers. Roads in Alaska frequently are paved with gravel or are coated with a sand/gravel mix in the winter.

Carry extra fuses, fan belts, filters, etc. for your truck with a small tool kit. Many parking lots have plug ins for vehicles. There frequently use 15 amp or so household type fuses. Carry some extra household fuses in case you have to use one where the fuse is missing. The factory lug wrench is useless in extreme cold; find a replacement lug wrench and keep it with truck.

Don't leave tapes, film, cameras, CDs, personal electronics, etc. in the truck when it is extremely cold. Film and tape get really brittle and break easily.

Lastly, look for a publication called The Milepost. It covers the Alcan Highway and other roads in Alaska and the great white north and includes tips on vehicle prep, road constructions, scenci/historic pointers, lodging, restaurants, gas stations, etc.

 

Hi BigsockMouse and welcome to the forum

Have you spent much time in Alaska? Have you driven to Ak from Tx? Ever gone up the Stewart/Cassiar highway instead of the Alcan?

 

I was stationed in Alaska for a year. Moved there from 4 year tour in North Dakota. When I left Alaska, I transferred to Texas.

It's been a year or 2 since I did the trip so I don't remember all the highway names. The trip to Alaska was from North Dakota to Colorado for training then on to Texas and California to visit family. Then I set out to Alaska via Great Falls, Montana. The trip was Great Falls, Calgary, Edmonton, Dawson Creek, the Alcan to Fairbanks and then south of Fairbanks about 70 miles.

The trip from Alaska to the lower 48 was back to Fairbanks, down the Alcan to Haines Junction, south to Haines and then I got on the Alaska Ferry. I got off the Ferry at Prince Rupert, BC and drove Edmonton and south Great Falls. From there to Amarillo followed by a short jump to Houston.

A couple of other pointers. Door locks freeze up easily in sub zero cold. A bottle or two of Lock Eze will help. Heating the key with a lighter or match works too but its harder to work a lighter with heavy gloves on. Door seals get hard in sub zero weather also and can let in wind driven snow or dirt. A whisk broom helps get rid of the mess. Keep the fuel tank at half full or better to minimize condensation in the tank. Keep HEET or a similar product in the tank to help prevent ice buildup in the fuel lines.

 

You drove by where I am. I'm in Terrace which is about 100 miles inland from Prince Rupert. How long ago was that?
Good point about the door seals. Some silicone lubricant spray helps keep them from freezing too. WD40 helps keep the door locks from freezing.