great suggestions for alaska

13babydoll · 08-10-2007, 01:53 PM

Will be moving to alaska by the end of the year..and its a big difference from living in the south...
does anyone have any good ideas on how to prepare my fj for the snow??

never go to battle without
your helmet..

07 sun fusion 4x4 at...all extras..

mikey · 08-10-2007, 03:07 PM

Does your FJ have a block heater? If not I would have one installed, it just makes cold (-30F and lower) start ups easier on the engine. Some will you tell you that you don't need one and the FJ will start like a champ everytime in the cold(which it does) but the block heater is cheap insurance especialy if you are that far north.

Try to carry some extra blankets( or clothes), candles, matches, tea lights, MRE's, shovel and some basic recovery gear just in case things get out of control.

**1911** · 08-10-2007, 06:18 PM

Quote:

mikey previously said:

Does your FJ have a block heater? If not I would have one installed

+1

Lots of parking lots in places like Anchorage and Fairbanks have electric outlets so you can plug it in while you're out.

I'd also use a good 0w-30 fully-synthetic oil.

13babydoll · 08-10-2007, 08:32 PM

thanks guys...
also...is there any certain kinds of engine heaters?....i had also heard something about transmission heaters too....
the tires that i have on there are the standard ones that come with them...but considering what would be the best...

**1911** · 08-11-2007, 07:48 AM

Quote:

13babydoll previously said:

...is there any certain kinds of engine heaters?

Like Mikey said, you want a block heater that installs in one of the freeze plug holes and keeps the antifreeze warm. They're fairly universal.

Quote:

the tires that i have on there are the standard ones that come with them...but considering what would be the best...

If you've got the bucks, the best way is to get a second set of wheels and have one set with studded snow tires and the other set with whatever for summer and change them back and forth. If you can only afford one set, then yeah you'll want some all-terrain or all-season tires at the very least. I have Toyo Open Country A/T's on mine and I was surprised how well they did in new snow in Colorado this past winter. The problem in Alaska is that the snow packs down and doesn't melt all winter.

13babydoll · 08-11-2007, 08:42 PM

thanks...that does help me...
i am planning on getting a second set of winter tires, keeping the ones on ow for warm months.. just wanted to know which kind i could depend on for the packed snow,,,since i have 6 year old twins...already planning on the wench...

River Runner · 08-11-2007, 08:54 PM

if you havent already..... switch to synthic oil...block heater..buy some steel rims for the winter tires....and if you drive the dalton highway you may want to modify your front windshield with rock guards...i used to live up there..worked for schlumberger well services...prudhoe bay/deadhorse..man that road is un-forgiving...eats tires and windshields for breakfast..RR

Briman42487 · 08-11-2007, 09:00 PM

giant FJ parka?

River Runner · 08-11-2007, 09:13 PM

oh...forgot to tell you...get your piolts license..buy a float plane...there everwhere up there...enjoy..RR

nic1010 · 08-11-2007, 09:13 PM

Where in Alaska? That will make a big difference. My brother lives in Anchorage and drives a little Chevy Cobalt. Went through last winter with no block heater without any issue...BUT that is Anchorage. It's very protected from what we think of "Alaska" weather.

Wherever you're going, talk to the locals first. He did change the type of oil he's using and that was helpful.

When you get there, post a ton of pics...it really is amazing.

goodluck!

nic