Any midAlaska Broncos?

[BeardedBlues]

I am wondering if there are reputable heaters to install that are required when living in very cold temps up in Mid Alaska. Heaters for the cab, block, transmission and whatever else that needs to be kept warm.

Also, are there quality remote start devices?

My Bronco has an inline 6, 200.

 

[RonJones]

This kind of thing works well, at least in Oklahoma and Colorado. I mounted mine behind and between the seats. It gets stifling hot in the cab in no time.

 

[joshua]

This kind of thing works well, at least in Oklahoma and Colorado. I mounted mine behind and between the seats. It gets stifling hot in the cab in no time.

We don’t see anything

 

[RonJones]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3808816348...d=link&campid=5335857059&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

 

[gnpenning]

I'm going to guess that you are talking about block heaters and such. I prefer the type that circulates the coolant. I've been using that type since highschool in a variety of vehicles. I've got a couple that are well over 30 years old, closer to 40 or more years.

For the oil pan I've used a magnetic type. I drove a semi that had a wrap for the batteries. Never used anything in PS or transmissions. In heavy negativity temps I have had some PS noise until it's warmed up a bit. The circulating type of block heaters will add some warmth to the trans cooler in the radiator. Only a a small area. You could put a magnet type on a trans pan or a battery type of wrap around a manual transmission and tcase. Might be over kill. Keep in mind you don't want to be going through anything deep with either type. Freeze plug ones are available as well.

Almost forgot I've seen some dip stick type heaters in the past for sell. Never used one.

If that's not what you are asking, old FJs had a heater behind the front seats that wasn't bad. Suburban/Tahoes had a rear heat option as well. I've got a couple units that came out of buses as well.

 

[BeardedBlues]

RonJones - Thanks for the info!

GNPenning. I'd like to know about anything that will provide heat in -30 degree weather that Fairbanks, AK can provide.

 

[gnpenning]

It's not about just providing heat. You will need to spend some time and money trying to keep the heat in and the cold out. Insulating the top, sides, doors, floor area would be a good start. You need to get the motor up to operational efficiency as quickly as you can and keep it there. Good antifreeze is a must. Clear heater core, radiator, engine block.

Wind chill doesn't effect vehicles the same way it effects humans but cold is cold. Door latches, hinges, buttons a stick. Speedo cables can freeze. While I don't live in Alaska I've spent some time in deep negative temps. Hunted out of a wall tent in minus -12 excluding wind chill for several days. The coldest I've delt with was -50 including wind chill. You don't spend much time out. You keep your diesel running with a conditioner or have a heated garage. Everything needs to be able to move in the cold.

Layers and using quality layers. The face looses heat very quickly and often over looked.

I'm sure others can give other suggestions/insite.

 

[1969]

@399strokerEB

 

[BeardedBlues]

It's not about just providing heat. You will need to spend some time and money trying to keep the heat in and the cold out. Insulating the top, sides, doors, floor area would be a good start. You need to get the motor up to operational efficiency as quickly as you can and keep it there. Good antifreeze is a must. Clear heater core, radiator, engine block.

Wind chill doesn't effect vehicles the same way it effects humans but cold is cold. Door latches, hinges, buttons a stick. Speedo cables can freeze. While I don't live in Alaska I've spent some time in deep negative temps. Hunted out of a wall tent in minus -12 excluding wind chill for several days. The coldest I've delt with was -50 including wind chill. You don't spend much time out. You keep your diesel running with a conditioner or have a heated garage. Everything needs to be able to move in the cold.

Layers and using quality layers. The face looses heat very quickly and often over looked.

I'm sure others can give other suggestions/insite.

Thanks a ton GNpening. Being from Louisiana, this will be a new world for me.

 

[Beau Nugget]

I would definitely have a block heater that heats the coolant. I’ve used the freeze plug style with good success. I suppose an engine oil heater of some kind wouldn’t hurt, but the ones I’ve had on semis have always underwhelmed me. The way I understand it, oil is actually not a very good conductor of heat. Water/anti freeze is much more efficient. I would also think you would be wise to plug it in immediately after shutdown too, in order to avoid having to reheat it from whatever the ambient temp is.

Blocking off the airflow thru the radiator with cardboard or something similar when it’s really cold can help you run closer to the desired operating temp as well. I’m sure when you get there you’ll figure things out pretty quick with a few conversatoons with some locals.

I've never had to deal with temps anywhere near that low as you’ll find in AK, but it gets pretty cold around here sometimes. One thing I’ve learned is that EVERYTHING is a struggle in cold weather. Things that should take a couple minutes could wind up taking much longer due to difficulties encountered because of the cold

 

[399strokerEB]

Block heaters are a must up here if you want your engine to live, also a good quality thin oil helps with turning over. Pan heaters help too, probably wouldn't hurt to throw one on the trans as well. Definitely drain and flush your cooling system. I would expect colder temps than -30 in fairbanks. There are a couple bronco guys up there that would know more than me, I'm in Wasilla where the temps are milder.

 

[bigbassbronco72]

I am wondering if there are reputable heaters to install that are required when living in very cold temps up in Mid Alaska. Heaters for the cab, block, transmission and whatever else that needs to be kept warm.

Also, are there quality remote start devices?

My Bronco has an inline 6, 200.

What part of Alaska are you moving to? I’m in North Pole outside of Fairbanks. I drove mine up in December of 2020 from Boise, ID.

To winterize, I would recommend a block heater (swap out a freeze plug), oil pan heater, electric battery blanket warmer, and make sure your coolant has the proper ratio to withstand -50f. Connect all heater cords to an Arctic three way plug and route the cord out by your bumper. I don’t drive mine much in the winter, but when I made the trek to Alaska, I upgraded my heater motor and blower upgrade, installed heated elements in my seats, added insulation to my kick panels, topper, under carpet, new weather strips, and plugged all holes in my firewall. I still iced up the inside of all windows and majority of the windshield. If I were to be driving mine often in the winter, I would install a universal cab heater like this… https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MBZSSMF/?tag=classicbroncos-20.

I did all this winterizing, but I still find it unsafe to drive in the winter. It gets so cold here your typical all season or mud tires will turn hard as a rock making them worthless on the pavement. If you do plan to drive it in the winter I would highly recommend a set of winter specific tires (blizzaks) or something similar.

Shipping is crazy, so before you move up here order all the bronco goodies you can to save yourself with shipping costs! Let me know if you have any specific questions and happy to help.

Brian Medley