I just looked at the average winter temps in Anchorage. Normal lows are 9*f and highs are 22*f. I thought it actually got cold there. You don't need a remote start. Just buy a snow brush and make sure your windows are rolled up at night.

 

I was at Elmendorf in the summer of 1973 and I was cold!

 

I was joking on my last post. 9* is plenty cold. Heck I get cold whenever it gets below 32*. I was suprised when I looked up the average temp there. I'm sure it gets plenty of colder snaps though when it will be -30 or colder.

 

Kinda funny watching people doom and gloom you about the cold.

Anchorage wouldn't be a hole lot diffrent from here, in winter. You don't need speacial oils. Block heater would be smart, but it doesn't keep you windows un-frosted, as someone implied, nor does it keep your motor at 180*, as someone implied.

You'll need a window scraper, and a winter saftey kit incase of motor emergencies.

 

Well I would think the oil would be a positive, unless your talking about the diff oil, in which case i would have to agree. Is an ice scraper gonna scratch my windows?

 

I didn't imply that it would keep your motor at 180* But it sure will get it there faster. It will defrost your windows quicker too. It is a good idea.

 

No, they are generally made of plastic. I find that the gravel and sand on the roads makes a far bigger mess of my windshield than an ice scraper ever will.

 

Im at elmendorf right now-in AKANG for 10 years plus. first, I've got a block heater from factory and I can't remember ever plugging it in. If you are driving up go ahead and get some studded tires-everybody I know has two sets of tires. if you are having it shipped just go ahead and wait till you get here to buy them-you'll find better selection up here. remote starts are popular here- I've seen them go from $350-$700 installed. wouldn't worry about a battery blanket- never had one and never needed it. as far as oil goes I've always run 5w-20 synthetic and it's no prob. other than that if you plan one driving out of town much I'd just get a good set of long range lights to see the moose. that's about all- it's not as barren and cold as most people think. 10 year old truck does just fine after 200000 miles. btw- what unit you going to?

 

Minutely faster.

It keeps the oil just warm enough to lubricate quickly, nothing else.

I live in the climate with -40*C that stick for days to weeks at a time, believe me, it still take forever to get to operating temps, specially when you start driving into the wind. If you want you windows defrosted by the time you get into the truck, the only way to go it a remote start, so you pay for the remote start, and the addition fuel used when idling.

 

Where abouts are you?

A block heater isn't a must, as suggested by others, but it sure makes things easier on your truck. I only plug mine in when I know it's going to be hitting the -20 mark during the night. I always run 5w20 synthetic as well. No problemo.

 

Depends what type of block heater. The ones that replace a freeze plug don't do much. The best ones are the tank type that splice into a heater hose and actually circulate warm water. With those, it's almost instant heat when you fire it up.

 

I've been stationed at both Osan and Elemndorf and both can get darn cold. Osan has a higher humidity and that makes it seem colder.

Anyhoo, if your truck has a limited slip diff you will do just fine in Anchorage once you adjust to the snow. Putting a few bags of sand in the bed helps. Snow tires are not really needed if you know how to drive in the snow. I drove a 1979 (in the 90's) datsun 2wd p/u with no heat for 2 years with little problems, hey I was a poor SSGT. If you want to venture off road in the winter then ditch the F150 and buy a snow machine.

If you want your fluids and go-nads FROZEN then go up to Eilson around Dec/Jan. Thank your lucky stars you got Elemdorf.

PS. Establish AK residency ASAP so you can get the yearly welfare check.

 

Do me a favor though, if you don't plan on staying in Alaska, and you don't come back to the state for at least 72 hours each year, please give me a license plate #. I love turning those people in. The Permanent Fund Dividend is the property of the people of Alaska, and it does not keep me up late at night to report the fraudulent people who are sucking money out of our pockets. I've been in the military for almost 11 years, but if you cheat the Dividend, I'll turn you in in a heartbeat. (note, this is not a rant directed at the OP, just anyone reading this, or 2fords if he is cheating.) BTW, it's not a welfare check, it's compensation for the sale of property owned by the individual citizens of Alaska. It only puts a minor dent in the excess cost of living up here.

 

what is this you speak of? free money? how does it work? how much is it? I was already planning on becoming a resident, I would LOVE to stay there forever, i hear elmendorf is indefinate now anyways so WOOHOO!

 

Saskatchewan.