winter prep
 

well i just got orders sending me to alaska and i am wanting to know everything i am going to need to prep my truck for it i know i will be getting there in november and i am from texas i have no clue about the cold weather and trucks i just ant to make sure that i take care of my truck this should be my last one while i am in the military i am all ears and just want to know what i need to do to take care of my truck thanks everyone

Indoor parking! Power outlet for block heater! Grill cover. Thermal underwear New super antifreeze. BIG WIDE tires. Lots of pictures of the sun.

Make sure you have the factory block heater hooked up also mopar makes a very nice cold weather front as well. If you go to the dealer and order the cold weather package it comes with the block heater cord, cold weather front and batt blankets. Also make sure your batts are in good condition cold weather will kill weak batts fast and leave you stranded. Other than that let the truck warm up alil in the morning and drive it like normal.

Wide tires suck in the snow

as for tire i am running the nitto trail grapplers size 295 70 17 what do you think about those in the snow and ice

Will you be able to plug the truck in? Thats vital as is a fully synthetic oil. In alaska temps I would be using a 0W40 oil - it makes a world of difference.

If you are able to plug in all the time, I would get a smart battery charger (C-Tek) and install it under the hood. Then whenever youre plugged in, your also charging the battery:

http://www.ctekprofessionals.com/EN-US/Default.aspx

If you cant plug in all the time, I would strongly suggest an Espar or Webasto hydronic water heater. They are quite expensive ($1000+) but they are WORTH EVERY PENNY when you live in a cold environment. Not only that but not having all those cold starts when its -40 really prevents wear and tear on your engine.

Espar - Automotive

http://www.webasto.us/am/en/am_auto_heaters.html

If you need any more advice let me know. When not as cold as Alaska, Ive lived all my life in the cold.

from what i understand i will be able to plug in all the time i just dont know anything about the cold at all with trucks as i have lived in the south my whole life jjust trying to be prepared as i can be before i have to go

Well just listen to Dr. Evil, he knows cold :tu: It's nice that you will be able to plug in. That will be a great help right there.

btw still snowing there Doc?:w2::run:

In the cold maintenance becomes a lot more important than when you live in a warm environment. Like I said, 0W40 synthetic oil (Amsoil makes some good stuff) is important, as is having your coolant mixed to the right protection level, another good idea is a magnetic oil pan heater on the oil pan and maybe 1 on the transmission pan. Another option is a wolvarine heater which is like a magnetic heater but you silicone it on instead of using a magnet:

Wolverine Engine Oil Heaters Engine Block Heater

Where in Alaska are you going ? Ankorage or further north?

Youre going at a bad time - if youre a native Texan your doing to freeze your nads off.

Snow on the ground - temps still in the low 30's. :s::s: