Sounds like overkill to me. Do you really think you need all those devices?

 

I disagree. I was stationed at Ft. Wainwright in Fairbanks for 4 years. I used all of those as do most people in Fairbanks. When it is -60 deg F every little bit helps. Especially if it is parked outside.

I used the arctic leash the entire time there. It's a great product.

 

Also sounds a bit overkill to me to have all of those.
What I would do is to get an aftermarket block heater (most of them are more powerful than the OEM one). Either get that or an oil pan heater....
Are you not going to be able to park inside when you are up there in the cold? I would imagine that most places with extreme cold temperatures would have covered/heated parking, would they not?

 

Well, I've heard some people tell me it's overkill...and others I've spoke with that live up there have actually recommended all the extra heaters. My biggest concern is starting up the FJ after being parked out in the weather all day while I'm at work. If I'm going to have it plugged in all day while at work...and it's -35 to -55 below, I want to make it worth while by making sure ALL the fluids are warmed up and ready to go. The FJ will be parked outside in a parking lot for 8 to 10 hours every weekday...just figured the more stuff stays warm...the less wear and tear will occur during start-up. I'm sure the FJ would start up just fine with just a block heater...but that's some harsh temperatures to expose a vehicle to during crank-up. So nobody has went to this extreme with the heaters? I'm sure I'm not the only OCD FJ owner on this forum Has anyone went to the same extreme as I'm planning on? Or am I just out on a limb here? Thanks for the feedback, by the way. Anyone used an arctic leash before? review?

 

Honestly I am up in Northern Alberta and I would recommend at least some of those! People end up not able to go anywhere due to starters, batteries and oil viscosity in the winter here @-40c

 

Make sure you use synthetics in the engine, TC and diffs. Make sure the coolant can handle -50F. From the factory it's good to -34F I think.

If you want to heat the battery in the FJ, you'll find a battery pad under the battery will work better if you have the stock Panasonic battery. A battery blanket won't work well on this battery due to the shape of the case.

I also agree on the engine heater. The stock one is almost worthless at 400W and isn't an immersion type. Don't get me wrong, it's better than nothing and it will definitely help your FJ start on those very cold nights. I would recommend a circulating coolant heater in the 750-1000 watt range.

Also, on the stick on pan heaters, if your going to leave them on all day, don't overdo it with the wattage. You don't want to cook things, just keep them warm.

Keep a 50' length of the BLUE (arctic) extension cord in your rig. You never know when you will need to park away from a plug-in and the blue cord is still somewhat flexible at low temps.

DEWFPO

 

It will be -14f in the morning...
My motor heater will be on about two hours before my truck is.

 

I am just outside Fairbanks at Eielson AFB. I have the battery blanket, oil pan and transmission pan pads and the block heater. There were several of my troops that did not have all of these and their vehicles froze up. I would recommend all four. We just had 2 1/2 weeks straight of -50 with wind chills to -68. I don't have the leash, i have a four plug outlet and a 15 foot blue extension cord to plug in to the HBO (electrical boxes). The cord is rated to a temp of -60. Even the cord will freeze solid and won't bend in a matter of minutes at those temps. Make sure to get your anti-freeze changed to one that is good to -60. This is what basically everyone in Fairbanks and the surrounding areas have on their vehicles. If you have ay other questions just pm me.

 

Well there you go. Still seems somewhat overkill to me, however I do not live in a region where the temp gets that cold.
Better safe than sorry I guess eh.

 

I would have agreed with you BEFORE I went to Fairbanks and spent some time there...

Know some folks there who do not have these things and they say that if they don't leave their car running 24/7 during some parts of the winter, then they won't be starting it for up to a month or two.

Also spoke to a guy on the street ( had to stop him and ask WTH?) that had a SHORT-SLEEVE shirt on and NO JACKET or COAT and it was right at 15F out...He was native Alaskan...He chuckled and said 15F was balmy...told me to hang around for a month or two till it got to -39F, or -50F when your skin freezes in about 5 seconds.

 

Hmmmmm...... I may want to do some of that crap for my move out to Montana. It isn't usually THAT cold, but -40 F isn't too uncommon. Some spots in the east see -80 F once and a while.

 

Eastern Montana can get brutal cold but for the most part it's wind chill.

I live in Missoula most of the year and the winters are pretty mild. Obviously the climate in the western part of the state is a bit different. I have a block heater but I've never plugged it in there only on cold trips back to the east coast.

Where are you planning on moving to?

 

Working in remote area's of northern canada has given me some easy and hard lessons to getting where you need to safely and alive.
Oil pan heaters- be sure you only plug it in when it is extremly cold and check your oil when you have it plugged in before and after you start your FJ.
In the extreme cold your travel speed and driving habits need to change.
Cold=brittle components.
Do not use washer fluid to "wash" the snow off.
Longer extension cord loose "juice" in the cold- have a heavier type and park the shortest distance away from the power supply.
Battery blankets help but turning the key on & off a few times before starting, seems to help warm the electrical system up.
Tuck up all loose and hanging cables, wires, hoses (misc. accesories) snow will stick to these and pull them down or disconnect (like mud).
Have an actual winter emergency bag in the truck & you don't need to be hard core and camp in your truck for the weekend to practice but read some threads about cold weather survival and be prepaired. Blankets over tire chains/ tow rope over tie downs/flashlight and candles + matches/ on and on.
Good luck and hope you FJ starts good for ya.

 

Have an actual winter emergency bag in the truck.

This is ever so vital! You never know when you will need it.
I leave my emergency pack in the vehicle at ALL
times.

 

Oh Holy CRAP I'm glad I live in Oregon!!!! hahahaha Sorry, just had to say....

 

I have construction projects at Eielson and Ft Wainwright at Fairbanks, and have spend several months up there in the dead of winter. Go for all you can get because you will need it sooner or later. Even if you have a garage for overnight, that will do nothing for you when you go about town and have to leave the FJ outside for hours. At -45 to -60 it does not take long to make it a solid block of frozen parts. You will also find that with all of these connected, your enging and the inside of the FJ will be up to normal operating temp within less than a mile of driving. Driving at these temps is another story. They never clear the streets, just come out at night and spread another layer of cinders. The next morning everyone is zipping along on conders and ice just like it was the middle of the summer - so watch out..........

 

Oh and don't use your emergency brake in the dead of winter. It can freeze up and leave you stranded.

 

Thanks for all the feedback...I think I have enough positive responses to feel more comfortable spending the xtra $ to get ALL the heaters installed. Better safe than sorry as far as I'm concerned. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't going overkill from the people who have been there or currently live there. Thanks again, all.:clap:

 

Just curious but what is taking you to Fairbanks?

 

Will be getting stationed at Eielson AFB for 4 years. Been trying to get that assignment for 11 years...it's like hitting the lottery!:clap:

 

Well congratulations to you. The scenery is outstanding and there are so many things to do and places to go check out in your off time. The winters may be brutal, but they are also very spectacular to see.

 

Anyone have links to where to buy all these heaters?

 

Why do people live in such cold places?!

 

I am prone to heat stroke and it comes on me fast when working in a hot environment. As well, I HATE sweating (and I sweat at anything over 65F degrees). I can almost always get warm if cold by adding more clothing, but I often can't get cool when I'm hot no matter how much I take off.

DEWFPO

 

I love Alaska! Favorite place in the country. Spent 6 years at Eielson AFB in the late '80s/early '90s and now spend about 20 days a month in Anchorage. Love every minute of it.

 

This thread is a bit old, but I spent some time at Thule, Greenland. What I'd like to add:

1. Synthetic gear oil for the axles and transfer case. Even then the ADD front axle may stop working in bitter cold temps. You may have to preheat the fluid

2. Synthetic motor oil. I've used both Castrol Syntec 0W-30 and Mobil 1 0W-20. You can search for my used oil analysis regarding both, some caveats apply to Mobil 1 0W-20. In either case, a pan heater is probably needed below -50 F

3. Synthetic power steering fluid. Also, for winter put some pipe insulation on the power steering hoses. You can use a Dexron ATF in the Toyota PS. Redline D4/D6 has a rated pour point of -76 F. The Redline power steering fluid is rated to -50 C. At -45 and colder, the power steering can stop working altogether without the proper fluid and prewarming

A lot of companies claim their extension cords are "flexible" at -40 and colder. Don't believe them. Use 14 gauge as the smallest, consider 12 gauge if you can find it. Do NOT try to bend the cord in extreme cold, it will "snap" and you'll be SOL

 

Wow, makes me even gladder I live in socal.... you don't need an FJ, you ned one of these:

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