We may be getting a PCS to Anchorage, AK this fall. Any new F150's up there? Any prep or fluids I need to change? Thanks guys! The weather up there this week has been -30f lows and 0f highs...

 

If you don't have a block heater, you might want to get one. Otherwise, the factory recommended fluids are fine.

 

DITTO

My '96 spent quite a few years up in that region, Juneau to be exact. Not quite the -30's but still got into the minus singles too often for my taste. If all goes as hoped, I'll be taking her back up there in 2013.

 

My F250 had the $35 block heater option but not the Texas ordered F150. From my Googling I have seen a lot of guys running 0-W motor oils and 75-90 syn in the diffs which I think I may have stock in the diff. All say block heater and some have oil pan sticky or magnetic heaters.

Next is tires. It doesn't look like ice so much as good ol snow and people say there is lots of mud and primitive roads. I was thinking maybe the new Goodyear Duratracs for the F150. They seem to have plenty of siping and treads for snow and mud. I have never had a studded tire, maybe those are only for hilly icy areas like Colorado mtns?

Maybe the Ultra Grip WRT for the wife's Explorer.

 

5W20 is sufficient. The factory diff fill is 75W140 synthetic rear and 80W90 dino front.

Studded tires are quite popular in Alaska in the winter.