2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Cold weather advice

[Uncle Mike]

Looks like I'll be moving to Fairbanks Alaska in February of next year. I lived up there for about 10 years, 7 years ago so I'm familiar with the cold weather. I live in North Dakota now so there is some cold to deal with, just not like interior Alaska. The truck is equipped with a block heater (as they all were I think) and I added a battery plate heater to each battery, and have grill covers to block off the grill opening. The truck has 13,000 on it now, so It should be broken in enough to change to synthetic oil before I leave. I'll be driving the ALCAN in Jan/ Feb so I'm real interested in whether there will be a problem with fuel/food/lodging during the winter. I have driven it in the summer and there was never a problem, but I suspect that some of the services are seasonal in nature. We'll be well prepared for the weather conditions with spare belts, filters, tires and of course survival gear. Any one have input as to the availability of services in the winter? Is Liard hot springs accessible year round?

 

[WDaniels]

Uncle Mike,

I take it you are in the Air Force. Welcome to Fairbanks, Alaska. Not the end of the world but you can see it from here. PM me and I'll either get or give you a number so we can talk. There are a lot of things to do to your truck and it will be faster to talk than write.

WD

 

[JohnE]

Espar?

 

[Uncle Mike]

Didn't you have some problems with the espar heater?

 

[JohnE]

Yep;

The first unit was defective and replaced under warranty no questions asked.



Last winter it acted up. It would fire and then die.

I ordered the suspect piece, but decided to run it one more time and get a first hand feel for what was wrong. Well, it never quit again. Never did figure it out.



That said, I still recommend one.

 

[jjohannessen]

There is a place open all year around in Muncho Lake BC. I think it is call Double J services, It is a small gas station, store, motel and every thing else. They have Diesel and a repair shop if you need it. I stayed there in april of this year, Real nice people that own and run it.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Thanks for the tip! Thats exactly the kind of info I'm looking for... .

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Ak Hyw.

Liard Hot Springs is open all year long.

You will be pleasantly surprised how much the Ak Hyw. has been improved in the last 10 yrs. Not a 4 lane super highway but it seems to be compared to the "Old Road".

I am heading out to Cancun in Jan. I will wave as we meet... ... ... . Jack