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FL to ND how to winterize my taco

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by HankSterling, Nov 11, 2013.

  1. Nov 11, 2013 at 7:16 PM
    #1
    HankSterling

    HankSterling [OP] Member

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    Hank
    Florida Panhandle
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    3in susp lift, 3in body lift, 33x12.5x 15
    I'm going to the oil fields an need to know the best way to winterize my 97 rc 2.7 man 4x4. Oils fluids etc. Poor Florida boy has no idea how to deal with cold. Won't have a garage.
     
  2. Nov 11, 2013 at 7:21 PM
    #2
    anders99

    anders99 The Sailing Member

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    Penscola, FL
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    Taco SOS Offroad Concepts hybrid front bumper Iggy Corp. Switch panel Famous Fab ditch lights and cb antenna mount Pioneer Appradio 2 Halo Led Headlights Led Taillights 3'' toytech spacer lift on front end Toytec AAL on rear AFE cold air intake 4Runner Stock
    When I went to college last year in wyoming first thing I did was get an oil change and asked the toyota dealer to winterize it. All they did was switch out my Florida coolant for sub zero stuff
     
  3. Nov 11, 2013 at 7:28 PM
    #3
    Steves104x4

    Steves104x4 Well-Known Member

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    BUCKLE UP! It makes it harder for Aliens to pull you out of your Truck.
    Find a winter front grill cover to try and keep some snow from entering and freezing (and I mean SOLID) inside the engine compartment. Install new fan belts. Buy nice gloves. You'll be fine. :D
     
  4. Nov 11, 2013 at 7:29 PM
    #4
    anders99

    anders99 The Sailing Member

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    Penscola, FL
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    (07 Base 4cyl 4x4 - RIP) -> 2018 4Runner SR5 Premuim
    Taco SOS Offroad Concepts hybrid front bumper Iggy Corp. Switch panel Famous Fab ditch lights and cb antenna mount Pioneer Appradio 2 Halo Led Headlights Led Taillights 3'' toytech spacer lift on front end Toytec AAL on rear AFE cold air intake 4Runner Stock
    BTW dont slam on your brakes if you start sliding... it ends pretty really bad
     
  5. Nov 11, 2013 at 7:31 PM
    #5
    tacotrd647

    tacotrd647 Resident "dude"

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    I always run a lighter weight oil to help with those cold start ups.
     
  6. Nov 11, 2013 at 10:12 PM
    #6
    dogmeat

    dogmeat Member

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    get a block heater and some snow tires (add studs, they're legal in ND), make sure the anti-freeze can handle 30-40 below zero.
     
  7. Nov 11, 2013 at 10:21 PM
    #7
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    x2, block heater, low temp oil/fluids, and good snow tires or at least all season tires rated for the snow like Michelin LTX M/S2.


    I'd be more worried about you than your truck. I'm not trying to hype it up or anything but now is a bad time to come and try and climatize ha that takes your body months and it gets super cold there. I lived in SD and ND growing up. You gotta prep for nasty blizzards and whatnot. It's no joke. People have died.


    Get some warm clothes, thermal blanket or sleeping bag, extra power bars or some kind of food, and plenty of water in your cab somewhere just in case you get stranded in the middle of a blizzard or something. Emergency lights or flares are good, stuff like that.

    I'd invest more in personal safety than truck prep. Those things suggested above are great and helpful, but you would make it without them. (I'd still do them, though. It helps)
     
  8. Nov 11, 2013 at 10:29 PM
    #8
    travel_taco

    travel_taco Gentlemans Sausage

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  9. Nov 11, 2013 at 10:35 PM
    #9
    NW4RUNNER

    NW4RUNNER Well-Known Member

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    I spent 4 years in Montana and 3 years in Iowa, rest in PNW. Never once have I needed a block heater or anything other than stock. Although some did have block heaters in Montana.
     
  10. Nov 11, 2013 at 10:41 PM
    #10
    dogmeat

    dogmeat Member

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  11. Nov 12, 2013 at 2:35 AM
    #11
    HankSterling

    HankSterling [OP] Member

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    Hank
    Florida Panhandle
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    3in susp lift, 3in body lift, 33x12.5x 15
    Not worried about me. I drove OTR for years. Been all back and forth on 94. I have 33x12.5 BFG all terrains. Trying to avoid block heater. Thanks for the grill and oil/fluid tips
     
  12. Nov 12, 2013 at 6:09 AM
    #12
    MowTaco

    MowTaco Well-Known Member

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    I don't think you'd need a block heater on gas engine, but I've only ever lived in the "banana belt" of the dakotas in Rapid City where it doesn't get very cold compared to the rest of the state. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt though. I agree on new tires if you're due, other than that just get yourself a coat and try to convince yourself every day that it was a worthwhile decision to move up there :)
     
  13. Nov 12, 2013 at 7:58 AM
    #13
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    If you have experience surviving that crap weather you'll be fine.

    Fluids and cardboard will help but honestly you could go as is and most likely be just fine.
     
  14. Nov 12, 2013 at 10:24 AM
    #14
    The Driver

    The Driver Trail Runner/Barefoot Beach Runner/Snow Skier

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    Lakewood (Green Mountain), CO.
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    I'm from FL and I live in Denver. I put synthetic oil in the diffs/transfer case/engine, replaced the coolant and made sure it was good for -10.

    Got mud and snow tires, and checked the windshiled for any cracks. Cold weather will make any tiny crack will become a full blown crack.

    Good luck!
     
  15. Nov 12, 2013 at 5:17 PM
    #15
    toastyjosh

    toastyjosh Well-Known Member

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    fluids and coolant! Replace your t-stat also when you change your coolant. Make sure it goes down to -40

    Make sure you have good tires, you will be driving on snow and ice a lot.

    Also keep a sleeping bag in your truck and a small shovel.
     
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2013
  16. Nov 12, 2013 at 5:47 PM
    #16
    x2468

    x2468 Well-Known Member

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    Do they salt the roads out there? I'd be worried about the frame rusting the most.

    BTW, you will need one of those window ice scrappers. Get two actually because they snap sometimes. And the Rainex -32* wiper fluid is awesome for deicing your windows if they freeze up on a windy highway, or when you first start in the morning.

    Never knew anyone with a block heater....

    Source: Grew up in Northern VT. Still go back most winters.
     
  17. Nov 12, 2013 at 5:50 PM
    #17
    toastyjosh

    toastyjosh Well-Known Member

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    yea foegot about the wiper fluid, the sell the -40 stuff up there at all the gas stations.

    and run some gas treatment/ isoheat for a few tanks on the way up there to remove any moisture in your fuel system.
     
  18. Nov 12, 2013 at 5:50 PM
    #18
    anders99

    anders99 The Sailing Member

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    Taco SOS Offroad Concepts hybrid front bumper Iggy Corp. Switch panel Famous Fab ditch lights and cb antenna mount Pioneer Appradio 2 Halo Led Headlights Led Taillights 3'' toytech spacer lift on front end Toytec AAL on rear AFE cold air intake 4Runner Stock
    also every night pull the wipers off the windshield. Just rotate the arms out
     
  19. Nov 12, 2013 at 6:17 PM
    #19
    MyWifesTacoma

    MyWifesTacoma Active Member

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    How old is your battery? Batteries lose a lot of their capacity when it's cold.
     
  20. Nov 12, 2013 at 6:19 PM
    #20
    RAT PRODUCTS

    RAT PRODUCTS Well-Known Member

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    Fluid film the shit out of the frame. I used 4 or 5 cans. Coat everything.
     

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