Im Not sure if this is where this post should go, so if it needs to be moved let me know or by all means move it. About 6 months ago, I joined the Air force. Im now almost done with Tech School, and I just found out that my next orders are in.. ALASKA!! Needless to say I am excited, and I instantly had visions of driving through snow and hunting Grizzly bears.

However the main point of this post is advice. Any advice as to preparations that need to be made specifically for the colder weather? Obviously changing the viscosity of oil and basics like that. But any others that aren't well known or I may be overlooking? Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

 

Depends WHERE in AK you are coming to.

Need at least a block heater. I have always had block, oil pan, battery and transmission heaters on my rigs, even when I lived in the "warmer" area by Anchorage. Auto-starts are useful, but going outside in -40 in shorts to start your truck is a good way to wake up .

Eileson or Elmendorf?

 

Sorry about that, guess I should have given a little more detail. Ill be at Elmendorf, Which is pretty much Anchorage. Also I have a 93 runner with the 3.0 . Also, -40 sounds like a very serious wake up call! Thanks for the reply!

 

Like he said it depends on where you are gonna be stationed.
I was up there for 4 years at Ft. Richardson. My daughter was born at Elemendorf AFB hospital in Anchorage. Spend a lot of time at Eielson in Fairbanks. Fairbanks is gonna be more severe than Anchorage. If you get Elmendorf it is like actually being somewhere civilized The wildlife even in Anchorage is incredible.

Block heater, battery blanket are a must...plus the common sense to remember to unplug them. I which I had a dollar for everytime I tried to flag down some Arctic cherry that was backing out and ripped out their grill when they forgot to unplug
The remote starter is great if you have an automatic. I had two sets of keys, would go out and start the car and than lock it. Though be careful of that, tons of cars are stolen when people leave the car running and go into a store...

 

Elmendorf: you got lucky was typing my first post when you made yours

Have fun...you can catch King Salmon in down town Achorage in Ship Creek. Lots of good fishing right on Ft. Rich. You will love the Rec Camp at Seward...cheap fishing down there... and of course the Kenai
bringing back lots of memories

 

I've installed an override switch on most of my cars for just this purpose. A switch that powers up just the Fuel-injection circuit (not sure where the best place to do that on a toyota truck would be...). Leave the ignition circuit connected as it should be, so the key works as normal for most use. But you can still leave it idle with switch on, but no other circuit will work (lights, etc.), and the steering column will be locked.

Make sure the radiator fan is included in that circuit.

Might also want to include the blower fan. I've done it both ways....

 

It also doesn't hurt to have a cover for the grill to block cold air. Also not needed but I love mine is tare out carpet and sound deading material and rhino or line x it. After 8 months of winer there's a lot of ice that gets tracked in melts builds up melts and so on after awhile it can get musky then summer its mud. It's just easier to cleN than carpet and looms super cool

 

AWESOME! Did you ever do any hunting while you were there? Also thanks for the great info!

 

Ive been wanting to do the interior like this for a long time. I think this might be the final straw I can use to convince my self to just do it. I also want to repaint all the dash inserts as 'Lifter Catcher' did to his 2nd gen runner. Thanks for the reply!

 

RE: engine block heaters. Lived in Anchorage in the 80's and had block heater installed on my decrepit Honda at the time and the engine heater made a huge difference as I had no sheltered parking for the car. Will be returning to Anchorage this time w/ a '99 Taco V6. Do you recommend going to the stealership for an engine heater (if that's an option)? Is it a DIY possibility? I assume this is strictly an aftermarket item. Appreciate any specific recommendations. Thnx.

 

Taco: You can get the engine block heater at the dealer, I remember it being something like $35. You can buy cheaper ones at the parts stores, but you get what you pay for.

It can be a DIY project, depending on your comfort level. Basically you pop out a freeze plug (Pot OUT, not IN), and install the heater in its place. The messy part is draining the anti-freeze. Its not too difficult to get to, but it certainly takes some patience to get to that freeze plug. For the 5VZ-FE V6 (3.4 L) I took one out on the drivers side, I think it is the closest to the front of the vehicle.

Then route the power cable somewhere convient with some zip-ties, and your done!

If you get Battery Pad, Oil Pad, Block Heater, RTV Red silicone, a Three-way power cord, and some Coolant, you'll run around $100-$130. Most places will charge you $250+ with labor included.

Cheers

 

Thanks! Just the info I was looking for.

 

Not to contradict ocdropzone, but I will claim the oil pan heater is far more important than the battery pad/blanket. In my opinion the order of importance would be:

1) Block heater
2) Oil pan heater
3) Auto Tranny pad (stick shifts don't need them)
4) Battery pad/blanket.

Also, I've got an Auto-start on my 4Runner w/ manual tranny. Not nearly as convenient to use compared with an auto-start on an auto tranny (because I've got to set mine with a 'Safety Sequence'), but I still use mine nearly every day in the winter. Regardless, auto-starts aren't really needed in the Anchorage area.

 

Great Info, Thank you muchly!!!!

 

First off... wecome to the USAF family!!! I spent from 2000-2004 at Elmendorf and its still on my dream sheet to go back!! I had my first 4Runner up there. Lots of cool wheeling places, like Jim's creeks - just north of Wasilla, and the beach area at the mouth of the Kenai. Get your fishing and hunting license quick and put in for the hunting "lottery" (drawings). I did several hunts and loved every second of them!!!

Everyone's giving you great advice!! If you get an unsheltered parking area (dorms or apartment), look for the blue power cords, as they are rated higher and get at least a 25-50'. When backing up, its easy to see the blue cord streaching off the front of your rig. I only had the block heater on mine, but I also had a yellow top that kept a great charge. Never hurts to get the extra. HIGHLY recommend the Line-X or some coating in the interior. Highlift jack and its offroad base are very useful as well.

Plan on everything costing about 15% more, just because of having to get it there.

I recommend you also get the milepost travel guide for driving or just living up there. www.themilepost.com/ Lots of great info, like distance between gas stations and such.

Best of luck and welcome to the USAF Family!!

 

Thank You for the welcome, and thank you for all the great info!! I definitely plan on doing as much fishing and hunting as possible. Not to mention wheeling!! Did you by chance do any kayaking while you were there? I have been looking into that, but its hard to find much without being able to go check them out. My next thought is to try checking out some kayaking forums. Once again though, thank you so much for the info/input. It will not be wasted!

 

No, but I saw many people cruising the ports of Seward and Whitter and it looked like fun!!! You can stay at the Seward Fam Camp cabins for around $50!!

Make a note to go to the Russian River on the way to Seward. Camping is cheap, fishing is great, wildlife everywhere!!! MAKE SURE you have a decent fishing pole... I used the ugly sticks and they never failed me, but I saw people get a hold of a King with a weak pole and it would snap EVERY TIME!!!! So, you never know if your going to catch a 20lbs red or a 50+lbs King.

Ask any and all questions... Better to ask then cost yourself some headache's!!!