What do I need to do to "prepare" my truck for Alaska?

Hi all,

I'll be moving up to your great state in about a month, and will bel living in Anchorage. Driving up through Canada from WA to get there - I have some other threads on that.

I wanted to ask you fine folks is there's anything I should do to prep my truck for the environment up there. I plan on getting some winter tires next season (I have some KO2s right now), and even though it'll be garaged, I'll probably get a block heater, too. Anything else I should look into?

 

-20 or -40 washer fluid, and you will be fine. KO2s are okay, my dad has them on his FJ Cruiser which he drives year round. Me too on my land cruiser.

 

I would have a set of winter tires separate from your K02s or any other A/T specifically for wet/icy/snowy roads. Also having weight in the bed above the rear axle will help tremendously.

 

Don't forget -20 blinker fluid!!

 

If we can get Al gore to visit a few more times in his private jet. Expect the climate warm up more and to be nothing to extreme. Unless our wind turbines freeze up.
And for some reason my solar panels on my house roof quite working last October. I’m hoping by May I can get up there and see if I can figure out what the problem is with them.

 

You're good just drive your truck while in Anchorage justbe carefulbecausethere are so many bad drivers like everywhere. Downtown they don't really plow the roads like most people in other snow states are used to. When purchasing tires for winter look or ask for the '3 peaks'. I can't think of actual name now but they are not only rated for snow but cold as well. Coming into AK Anchorage summer/spring soon, enjoy it!

I just re-read post... make sure your spare tire is aired up and drive safe. If you like country music you will have plenty radio stations to choose from in Anchorage.

There is a good taco place that also serves 'traditional' Mexican tacos on Northern lights blvrd called Serranos. The most traditional I could find and very good

Good spot for Indian food?! REI parking lot called Yak and Yeti (also on Northern Light blvd) The also have a sit down restaurant close by on Spenard Rd. (I think)

Right across the street from REI on Northern Lights Blvd is a consignment shop which has a ton of good stuff, it's badass if you are into staying warm for cheap (quality as well) or climbing, hiking,snowboarding, skiing, kayaking, all the fun shit. I can't remember the name right now but I'll post later

Hoarding marmot. That's it

 

Here is my list coming from the land of snow and ice .
I still have 3 feet of snow and still see 40 below zero in April

Block heater is pretty much mandatory .
Battery blanket or trickle charger and a quality set of booster cables
Exterior window blanket . Saves you from scraping the window every morning .You are still going to need a good snow brush .
Winter care package for the back seat . Blankets , change of clothes , winter boots , winter gloves , lighters and matches .
4 gallons of fluid film for the frame . Salt loves chewing away at the frame
Towing strap and recovery gear for pulling yourself and others out of the snow bank
Are you allowed to run studded tires in Alaska ? If so , spend the extra money to get them studded .
As mentioned above , a second set of winter rims preferably steel . Salt eats away at the aluminum on the factory rims .
Mini battery booster for the glove box .
Extra weight over the rear tires .
Synthetic fluids in the engine , power steering , transmission , differentials and transfer case .

 

Awesome, thank both of you guys for the posts, adding all of this to my list. I have KO2s on the truck now, and my girlfriend has Falken Wildpeaks on her Jeep Renegade Trailhawk. Think we'll be alright driving up (through Canada, not ferry) the first week of April? Or should we get some true winter tires down here for the drive? Not opposed to the latter although it'd be a bummer how much room lugging the extra set up would be!

EDIT: We'll also have chains, but I know that's not quite the same.

 

We don't use salt on the roads up here, just an fyi....