Alaska Deuces

[Kansasno1fan]

Anyone have a deuce in Alaska? Thinking about buying one, then shipping it to Alaska. Wondering what mods anyone recommends to survive the winters up there. Block heaters, cab insulations, anything ?? Thanks. I'm knew to these forums, if this topic has been covered before, my apologies.

 

[m1010plowboy]

It's an almost to Alaska Welcome to Steel soldiers.

Lots of Deuces have been to Alaska.....in the summer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy4U7K8itnY

We're about 3 inches south of you on a map and the only diesel truck that doesn't give me trouble in the cold is a new chev.

I did a search on 'deuce alaska' , 'cold weather deuce' and a few other phrases and I'd like to think with today's add on, plug in heaters, synthetic oils, insulating foams, 24v diesel heaters, diesel additives, air-line anti-freezes, diff kerosene, anti-frosting compounds and Blizzacs....... it's possible!

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?32171-Alaska-Deuce

 

[Jake907]

Anyone have a deuce in Alaska? Thinking about buying one, then shipping it to Alaska. Wondering what mods anyone recommends to survive the winters up there. Block heaters, cab insulations, anything ?? Thanks. I'm knew to these forums, if this topic has been covered before, my apologies.

I work as a diesel mechanic here in Alaska, and I can tell you what our company's trucks have. We have oil pan heaters, block heaters, an onboard battery trickle charger would be good too. We have custom made winter fronts on some of them, auxiliary cab heaters to supplement the dash heat, and a pair of Lightforce 240's on the front, also some have additional work lights on the back for hitching trailers etc. during the dark time of the year. A note on the driving lights, Alaskans LOVE good driving lights, Lightforce are widely thought of as the best, but you'll see KC, Hella and various LED bars here and there as well. Some also have studded steer tires, but that really isn't necessary for the average person. A set of tire chains would be nice too. Some of our trucks have heated wipers, and heated mirrors.

Hope this helps.

 

[Another Ahab]

I work as a diesel mechanic here in Alaska, and I can tell you what our company's trucks have. We have oil pan heaters, block heaters, an onboard battery trickle charger would be good too. We have custom made winter fronts on some of them, auxiliary cab heaters to supplement the dash heat, and a pair of Lightforce 240's on the front, also some have additional work lights on the back for hitching trailers etc. during the dark time of the year. A note on the driving lights, Alaskans LOVE good driving lights, Lightforce are widely thought of as the best, but you'll see KC, Hella and various LED bars here and there as well. Some also have studded steer tires, but that really isn't necessary for the average person. A set of tire chains would be nice too. Some of our trucks have heated wipers, and heated mirrors.

Hope this helps.

Whoa!! That's the ticket: Heated Wipers.

Hey, Jake907! Thought you might show up here: Is that aftermarket? Got a source?

And welcome to you Kansasno1fan, from here in the Old Dominion State of Virginia.

 

[Jake907]

Ummm, yes they are aftermarket, i dont know where they got them exactly but we get a lot of stuff from six roblees, and trailercraft. I dont know if there are branch stores down where you are. Try ebay?

 

[mattyboy]

dont shut it off EVAH!!!

 

[akfonzy]

Eh, no big deal. Alaskans in Fairbanks start their diesel trucks at -60 every day. Just make sure you are set up like Jake907 pointed out and you will be good.

 

[BKubu]

Fuel burning cab heater. I don't believe a standard hot water heater will be able to keep up with the cold. The fuel burning heater kit comes with transmission and t-case canvas shifter boots so that will help to eliminate those drafts. Also, a hard top would be nice.

 

[Jake907]

Fuel burning cab heater. I don't believe a standard hot water heater will be able to keep up with the cold. The fuel burning heater kit comes with transmission and t-case canvas shifter boots so that will help to eliminate those drafts. Also, a hard top would be nice.

Although I'm not intimately familiar with the Deuce, I know that our fleet trucks run an auxiliary heater that is basically a second heater core that is independent of the factory one, that we mount on the floor of the cab somewhere, and it has its own two speed fan. With the factory and the auxiliary heater they can usually keep up even down to -50 temps.

 

[Jake907]

Fuel burning cab heater. I don't believe a standard hot water heater will be able to keep up with the cold. The fuel burning heater kit comes with transmission and t-case canvas shifter boots so that will help to eliminate those drafts. Also, a hard top would be nice.

After reading your post again I realized that you were specifically talking about a soft top version, if that's the case, then yes, you would want a diesel fuel burning cab heater, definitely. lol