Calling all Alaskan’s (technical)

[SkiRunner]

Next fall I am moving from Ohio to Fairbanks to attend UAF and have some extreme cold weather technical questions. I have concerns about what sustained negative temps will do to my 4Runner, and what I need to do to prepare for it. I have been to Anchorage in the winter but not all the way up to Fairbanks.

I hear the term “winterized” thrown around, what is involved in that?

What are your suggestions for an engine heater and battery warmer? Are these necessary?

What tires do you suggest? I have been happy with the stock Cross Terrains in the snow so far. However, we are talking Ohio snow here. The stockers are at 7/32 and will need replaced before next year. I had BFG A/T’s on my Tacoma and was happy with the snow performance. Is there anything better without going to a dedicated snow tire?

I have a 2005 SR5 4.0L 4X4 with 115,000mi. Recently I changed all the fluids except the trans with synthetic AMS Oil, installed new plugs, and preparing to put new shocks on it next month. Other than general maintenance it’s an all stock ride.
Thanks for your help, Josh

 

[PlanetAlaska-]

Josh,

I have lived in Fairbanks for several years and winters are brutal: it can get down to 40F below. You will need to "winterize" your truck as you mention. This involves installing the following:

-engine oil pan warmer
-battery warmer
-transmission oil warmer

It costs about $250 for parts and labor to have somebody do it. They are electric warming pads, that's all. The 3 pads are hooked together in the engine compartment, and you will see a male 110V plug sticking out of the front grill. That's what you will plug to an outlet at your work place parking spot, using an extension cord. Winterizing is highly recommended.

I had an 04 4Runner V8 4x4 and it did well with new Cross Terrains in Fairbanks. I now use BFG T/A KO and prefer them.

 

[SkiRunner]

I have been poking around and looking at different types of heaters. Is there any benefits of a "in pan", freeze plug, or coolant line style heaters over the pad style? With the battery warmers is the pad or wrap style better?

Thanks again, Josh

 

[macoyle]

I prefer the freeze plug style heater instead of the pads, if you dont mind replacing a freeze plug or pulling the pan on the engine to install a bung to heat up the oil. Its a permanent install but you wont have road grime, or issues down the road the same way you may with the pads.

The pads that I saw in Kodiak were ok at first, but after lots of road salt stuff got between the pad and the pan its a PITA if you ever work on anything.

 

[Alaskan_Runner]

Do the heaters i lived there for 29 years change the diff fluids also and change oil every 3k. The coldest i saw there was -73 with no wind chill!

 

[Dr342]

I lived in Anchorage and Fairbanks for over 10 years in the 1990's. In Anchorage you can get away without the Winter gear if you have a strong reliable vehicle. I had a Chevrolet 1500 with a Sears Die Hard battery and no garage. Never had an issue.

Now Fairbanks is a completely different. Freeze Plug and battery warmers are a must.

 

[willcountyjoel]

The Toyota heater for the 4.0 V6 warms the coolant but you don't have to breach the water jacket (no leaks, easy install). It fits into a machined cavity in the block at the left rear above the exhaust pipe.
Canadian P/N: PU140-00900
I had to buy mine from a Canadian Dealership in Windsor, about $110 with tax and shipping.