North to Alaska

[William Sharpe]

Hey I'm new to both the Tahoe world and this website so be kind with my ignorance.
I am moving to Alaska and I just bought a 1999 2DR Tahoe 4X4 and I need to get it Artic ready does anyone have a list of things I need to do as far as what oil and antifreeze to put in it to be ready for -60 degree weather ?

 

[h0tr0d]

Probably should invest in an engine block heater for sure. Some people run special blankets in the engine compartment. If it really is going to get that cold where you're going, you'll need a cover for the grille opening to limit airflow to the radiator, or it will never heat up in weather that cold. That's all I've read about...hopefully someone else will chime in here and help you out more.

P.S. You're crazy!

 

[blueflamed03]

welcome, and agree, I'm not a cold type person. LOL.

 

[moviewithnotitle]

Hey I'm new to both the Tahoe world and this website so be kind with my ignorance.
I am moving to Alaska and I just bought a 1999 2DR Tahoe 4X4 and I need to get it Artic ready does anyone have a list of things I need to do as far as what oil and antifreeze to put in it to be ready for -60 degree weather ?

Good luck, it sounds chilly! I watch a lot of Ice Road Truckers and I have respect for them, and you for moving.

I would suspect that your fluids are gonna have to change. In cold climates you have to run a real this viscosity in Oil and Tranny fluid. I think gearcase oil is fine, but everything has to be rated for the low temps you're gonna face. If you can, I would try talking to mechanics in the area, or at least hit up Chevy and start asking questions about the climate and preparations.

Definately a grill blanket, and engine-block heater are a must. I would also suggest heated seat covers if you don't have them and remote start!

Keep us posted, could be a good way to transfer info to others that would like to know.

 

[99Yuk]

Well, I'm from up North, not quite where your going though. I only average somewhere between -30 and -40. I think my own personal record is seeing -45 in the mirror one morning.


There are several things that I can think of off the top of my head.

Install at least one block heater, if not two.
Install a magnetic heater on your oil pan.
Install a battery blanket.
Purchase a propane tiger torch to melt your oil pan, in case you forget to plug all that in at night.
Install plug caps! Keeps the crud out of the prongs, and keeps the prongs around longer than a year.
Migrate away from 10W30 to at least 5w30, if not even 0w30. I like Castrol?
Change over your orange dexcool to regular green stuff. The orange stuff over time gums/freezes up the smaller passages in the engine block. You should see the pics from my old engine block.
Buy one hell of a saftey kit, including a wollen blanket and food.
Make sure that you get your truck undercoated. I personally use Krown on mine. After seeing my dad's old beater truck after 14years and very little rust, I'm convinced. He bought that old truck new and had it Krowned every year.
Oh, and install studs on your winter tires. This year, I'm going for Winterforce studded tires.

That's all that I can think of.

BTW, your crazy going that far North! Welcome!

 

[puckhead]

I havent really done much to mine except make sure your coolant is good and change the oil regularly. Also have a black heater. Gets down to about -40 here for a good part of the winter. Hope it works out for you!

 

[drowndindreams]

a roof rack, lift, tire chains, hand warmers, seat warmers, and maybe a salt thrower

 

[RSymons]

Sounds like a adventure, i have entertained the thought of moving to Alaska more than once. Good-luck and have fun!

 

[Effeckt]

Welcome to the forums and good luck with the move. I'll save the advice for the experienced. We don't know what cold is here in Phoenix, we have the opposite problem here.

 

[Tahoe06]

Welcome to the forum, good luck with the move. I wouldn't be able to give any advice, I'm in the same situation as Effeckt, except I'm down in Tucson

 

[bowtiefreak]

Never been anywhere that cold

thin oil: 5/30
I think their is an additive the diesel guys run in the antifreeze that helps, that and I'd get a cover like the big rigs run in the winter to keepo the temp of the motor up.

Stay warm

 

[the 18th letter]

I've read....

that synthetic oils are better in cold weather than conventional. With an older truck u might not want to go full synthetic but a synthetic blend instead.


Also check the cold cranking amps on your battery.

 

[AtomicHoe094]

electric fans would do you wonders up there. So then your fans aren't on when you start the truck and only come on when you want it to. This way everything heats up faster.

lol at the seat warmers, probably would be a good choice tho! heated steering wheel?

 

[faze]

I would go the synthetic route for oil and you definately need to heat the oil because a block heater won't help with the oil; most of your engine wear will occur waiting for that oil to warm up.

You may have a factory block heater already...if it's never been used it'll be hanging near the driver side front upper control arm mount...I'd go with two block heaters.

The most important thing is something mentioned earlier in the thread...you need a serious safety kit in case you get stranded somewhere...burning candles for heat can be the difference between life and death.

I lived in Edmonton as a kid and we got a few -40F weeks...they closed the schools because they didn't want kids walking around outside.

 

[rsb907]

hey man im in the army stationed in anchorage, alaska. i bought my tahoe last winter and it did fine. it has heated seats, remote start. i just got it serviced other day and had coolant test. test to be good to -60 degrees. i run synthetic oil and bought a good battery (optima red top). might as well have the best. make sure all your heater components work. im having problems now with front heat not warming up only rear heat. best of luck to you. alaska isnt too bad.