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I'm moving to Alaska.

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by BenB, Jun 13, 2007.

  1. Jun 13, 2007
    BenB

    BenB Member

    Stevensville, MD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2006
    Messages:
    72
    In August I am moving to Fairbanks Alaska.

    What do I need to do in order to keep it running during the cold winter months.
    I know I will need to change the fluids, and install some type of engine heater, but besides that I am lost.
     
  2. Jun 13, 2007
    jeep6275

    jeep6275 Member

    south east iowa
    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2007
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    67
    military im guessing?

    i dont really think it gets THAT cold up their. you might check the weater! it might suprise you. i have talked to alot of other guys that have been up their. and i was surprised.
     
  3. Jun 14, 2007
    BenB

    BenB Member

    Stevensville, MD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2006
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    72
    I'm in the Army, and currently in Alabama. I'm from Colorado, and it got pretty cold there, but I've been reading that it stays below 0 degrees for extended periods of time.

    Does anyone know how a soft top will hold up?
     
  4. Jun 14, 2007
    junkfood

    junkfood Member

    Casa Grande,Az.
    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2005
    Messages:
    222
    Don't know about now but when I was there in the 70's it got REAL cold. Below zero most of the winter. On top of the mountain outside of Fairbanks where I was the chill factory was way, way below zero all winter. Just winterize your fuel and coolant along with a block heater and you should be fine. Might want to make sure your post has plug-ins for the heaters.
    Keith
     
  5. Jun 14, 2007
    duke54

    duke54 Member

    JACKMAN MAINE
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2003
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    319
    I would mix your antifreeze 50%,dry gas every other fill up,5-30 oil,block heater and your good togo.:)
     
  6. Jun 14, 2007
    Flat47

    Flat47 Member

    THE County, Maine
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2006
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    172
    x2 on the block plug-in. I worked a fire detail for the BLM out of Ft. Wainwright in '04 and I remember seeing plug-ins all over the place. Fairbanks had a spell this past winter with daytime highs of -35 degrees for about two weeks. I've considered moving there, and checked www.weather.com for averages and stats.

    Good luck and stay safe!
     
  7. Jun 14, 2007
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2006
    Messages:
    2,793
    I'm a graduate of Austin E. Lathrop High in Fairbanks.

    It will stay at 0 and below for a long time.
    Three, four months. We used dipstick, block and inline coolant hose heaters.
    If you got downtown and needed to park for longer than an hour, you left the engine running. If you couldn't find a place to plug into. At the University almost all the parking places had plugins, so did the church I attended.
    Be prepared for square tires, although that isn't as much of a problem with radials. Rough ride until the tires warm up enough for the rubber to be pliable again.:) :coffee: :JEEP:
     
  8. Jun 14, 2007
    Flathead

    Flathead New Member

    Kenai, Alaska
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2007
    Messages:
    17
    Aw man, Don't do a soft top winter! It's possible, but there's nothing like autostart with the heater cranked after being plugged in all night. Fairbanks gets cold, really cold. I hate being in Fairbanks in the winter.
    Drew
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 15, 2007
  9. Jun 14, 2007
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
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    5,466
    Being from Craig CO I can talk some about the cold (right Jim).

    Block heater is a real good Idea - you want the type that runs through the bottom in the anti freeze so it will open the Tstat. You can then open the valve to the heater/defrost and have it - not as cold ;)

    Check the anti freeze that you use to base your mixture on - I used 60-70% to get protection to -50 (we had -60 nights with highs -30 several times for about a week).

    Oil has been covered, but I usually added 8oz MMO to engine and used MMO in the fuel to help with the drying too.

    Watch the difs, tranny, and tcase as you might want to mix some molly lube in. When it's that cold they can freeze and it takes a while for them to get warm enough to protect things (don't ask how I know).

    Soft top - the canvas is fine - the windows get real brittle. Depending on the tops condition, but I would not move my window if it was below 20. I spent way too much on tops when I was younger, and my boy broke his on a 10* day here in the Springs.
     
  10. Jun 14, 2007
    willysnut

    willysnut Banned

    Newnan, Ga.
    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2003
    Messages:
    654
    Just ship jeep to me in the warm south and I'll keep it company during the long cold winter.
     
  11. Jun 14, 2007
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    Jun 5, 2007
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    Ship it?? I'd come pick it up! say .... today?
     
  12. Jun 14, 2007
    AKCJ

    AKCJ Active Member

    Fairbanks, Alaska
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2003
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    1,035
    Alright! A member moving to my town. You're really going to like it up here - lot's of good places to ride.

    Block heater, oil pan heater, 50/50 on the coolant, lighter gear and engine oil. Check and double check your belts, hoses, heater & defroster, starting and charging systems. Any weak items will really show up

    You'll probably rethink the idea of driving the 64 during the winter after you try it. If you arrive in August you'll have plenty of time to prep for winter (it probably won't even snow until Sept.).

    I hope we can meet up & do some trail riding. Good Luck.
     
  13. Jun 14, 2007
    BenB

    BenB Member

    Stevensville, MD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2006
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    72
    willysnut- The jeep is coming with me for sure. It is the first vehicle I owned, got it in high school; Plan on having it till I die, then my son gets it. Sorry to dissapoint you.

    AKCJ- I will definitley let you know when I get up there. I am looking forward to exploring alaska in the CJ.

    I am sure this isn't the right part of the forum for this, but I have 4 new 9" drums that I am giving away. I replaced the drums and then decided to to switch to disk brakes. They have surface rust, but like I said, who ever wants em, can have em. I don't really want to move them.
     
  14. Jun 14, 2007
    Dave in Houston

    Dave in Houston Member

    Baytown, Texas
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2006
    Messages:
    138
    A hard top in Alaska, particularly in the winter, would be a good idea. I lived just south of Fairbanks for 18 months and trust me, it gets cold. In the winter if we let any construction equipment die and sit for any period of time we had to build a tent around it and use space heaters to get it warm enough to start back up. I saw lots of days 30 and 40 below zero f in the winter. We sprayed about an inch of foam on the interiors of most pickups to help insulate them. But Alaska is also the most beautiful place in the world I've ever been. Tons of great places to go four wheeling.
     
  15. Jun 14, 2007
    BenB

    BenB Member

    Stevensville, MD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2006
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    72
    Can anyone recomend a specific block heater and oilpan heater, and where do I purchase it at. Also how do I install them.
     
  16. Jun 14, 2007
    weedy

    weedy Member

    Conroe, Tx
    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2005
    Messages:
    156
    BenB

    Hearing you have drums kills me....... I just purchased two for a brake job. I may be interested in them. I too am an Army aviatior (AH64) and have a 1964.

    Email me at john.h.weidemeyer@us.army.mil.
     
  17. Jun 15, 2007
    AKCJ

    AKCJ Active Member

    Fairbanks, Alaska
    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2003
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    1,035
    The block heater typically replaces one of the freeze plugs. I'm not familar with the 4 cylinder motor so I don't know the exact detail. On the V6 it was a 5 minute job.

    Pretty common here to use the silicon oil pan heaters. It's a flexible rubber electric pad. You put it on with high temp silicone. The idea is to get your oil warmed up before you try to start up. Some people don't bother with it but I think it is a big help. You can also put 'em on the transmission and other parts.

    These heaters are sold all over town here. I would think you could just do it here after you arrive.
     
  18. Aug 29, 2007
    BenB

    BenB Member

    Stevensville, MD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2006
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    Well, I'm in Fairbanks now. The Auto transport company that moved my jeep did something to the overdrive. When I picked it up it was in four low with the overdrive on. I left it in two wheel drive, wheel disengaged. Now the overdrive pops out of gear. I almost got broadsided today when crossing an intersection when it decided to disengage itself as I was accelerating. How much should I expect to pay to have it rebuilt, and probably the transmission too. I don't think I will be having a lot of free time anytime soon so rebuilding it myself is kind of outa the question.
     
  19. Aug 29, 2007
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
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    It's gonna depend on what's wrong with the OD - talk to Herm. He would be your best bet (and most reliable).
     
  20. Aug 29, 2007
    AKCJ

    AKCJ Active Member

    Fairbanks, Alaska
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    Aug 12, 2003
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    1,035
    Ben,
    Sent you a PM.
    Jerry
     
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