Moving to Alaska

I just got the word that the Army is sending me to Fairbanks, Alaska and I am moving in late november. I am going to be driving across Canada and Alaska in the winter so it should be interesting. I have been told I need a block heater and a few other heaters but I do not really know. Can anyone help me with what I will need and where I can get it. I live in the south right now so those parts are not readily available here. What else can you suggest I get to prepare my truck for that enviroment? I have a 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 ex-cab manual transmission. I cannot wait to get to Alaska to do some 4 wheeling. It is about time for some new tires so I might as well get them now. I need 31's. Which tires do you suggest for those types of conditions? What suggestions do you have for me in general?
Thanks.

[TankRD]

I was in montana with my truck for about 2 years and never had a block heater. You don't need one but I think it is better to have one, easier on your engine when you start it.
I had some cooper all terrain tires but got rid of them for bfg all terrain tko, the bfgs really perform well on the ice and light snow. Be very carefull on the snow and ice because our rear ends are very light and tend to swap ends if you are not carefull and not in four wheel drive. One time I was parked on a snow packed road and when I tried to leave in 2wheel drive One of my back tires was just spinning and I was not moving and I wasnt even giving it gas. I used 4wheel drive alot on the snow. Have fun i would love to go to AK.

P.S
Find some big snow covered empty lot and you have hours of fun.

[brayboy]

If block-warmers do not come from the factory then I do not think after-market ones worth anything would do any good. I grew up on the north side of the reservation that you mention and live only about 75 miles north of you now. Not much freeze worry around (freezing temps, yes but not months of it) this area. I'd just suggest you keep a close watch on your anti-freeze content and think about buying an Optima battery. Look in your area before you leave because they might get pretty expensive when you get up there. I hope this helps. Bray [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/40BEER.gif[/img]

[monkey]

If you really want to put in a heater, and don't want to spend alot, look into the ones tha tgo in the hose. I had one years ago, on a chebby Blazer with a 350. Lucky, too. We spent 26 days below zero my first winter with it, with lows around minus 20's. My truck survived better than my apartment's kitchen sink!

It just goes in the lower radiator hose, and heats what's there. I think the theory is that the warmer coolant will rise, causing slight circulation.

[brayboy]

That sounds like it might work! The warmer temp will make the pressure increase and forc it to the colder parts of the compartment--the engine. Good post monkey. Bray [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/40BEER.gif[/img]

[monkey]

TY, TY very much! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/40BEER.gif[/img]

these arent performance or mechanical tips, but always have plenty of washer fluid available, you will go through it quick come winter time, and ice scraper to scrape windows etc.
What I also do in the winter is put 2 or 3 of those tube sandbags in the bed of the truck right over the rear wheels. It will help get some much needed traction back there.
The heater, I dont know for sure if you need it, but we have some cold winters here, and every toyota I have ever owned has always fired right up. Be sure to let the truck warm up some before you drive.
Enjoy the snow its a blast!

[NDNmoe]

Hey their Bud,
Look, I'll shoot strait with ya. I live in Alaska, and Work on the North slope wich you will soon learn about. But I'll tell ya, It is obvious to me that none of these guy's have ever been to Fairbanks in the dead of winter.I've lived in Alaska for 10 years now, but I was born in Montana on the Highline, and yeh it's cold, But Fairbanks Cold, No! Fairbanks is kind of extreme with weather. In the summer time it get's Hot, not southern hot, but Alaska hot (80-90F) You will never expeirence this cold again anywear else. It will drop to -40F and stay their for a week or longer and 20 below will seem like a warm day after that. You will be living right below the Arctic circle, but in the winter time you'll feel like your in Antarctica. If you took a shower, walked out side, you can actually break your hair at 40 below, No Joke!
Well, My wife drives a Toyota tundra, and we love it. No it did not come with a block heater, so I installed one. Every shop up here will install one for you pretty cheap. I drive an 83 chevy truck. I have and inline block heater that is spliced in to your heater hose, and is then pluged in to an outlet, and it has a heating element in it, but also has a pump, so it cyles the coolant through the block. I also have an oil pan heater, wich keep's my oil fluid. Yes oil becomes like ice cold syrup at 20 below if it is not heated. emagain your oil pump trying to pump cold malasis to the top end of your motor. I have a battery Blanket wich is cheep and easy to install. Some people put trans. pan heaters on, and even power steering heaters, all though I do not have one. You can purchase all these parts at your local Napa up hear when you arive. Non of it is to expensive at all. One thing that you might want to consider investing in (if have'nt already) is a pair of good off road driving lights. Up hear you will use them, if you plan on driving alot. It is very dark in the winter time, and their are moose everywear, beleive me.
Well partner, I hope this has been some help for ya. If you have anything else you need help with, just send me and e-mail ok.
P.S. I use to drive truck doing Seattle/ Anchorage run's, so if you have any questions about the Hyway, ask away. Carry plenty of extra Jerry Can's with ya, and stay away from the "Casiar" Hyw. Good luck, and Welcome to Alaska!