I am in the military and just assigned to Fairbanks, AK. I have a 02 ram 3500 diesel DRW. I have never been anywhere where it gets much colder than the mid 20 -30 range now I am here where they tell me it normally stays -30 to-40 in the winters. My problem is that I don't know jack! The one and only dealer here is trying to tell me that I need to have installed two engine block heaters, a tranny heater(mine is auto), a battery blanket heater for each battery and insists that I need a "high idle" kit/switch as well. All this is going to be in the neigborhood of $900 on up. Can anyone tell me what i really "need" to survive. I feel the dealer is trying to take advantage of my ignorance. Also when plugging in your vehicle should I leave it plugged in overnight or should I plug in a few hours prior. Has anyone ever had experience with Marvels Mystery oil? My friend says I can add it to my fuel and my engine oil and it will prevent gelling at low temps??? I really can use any and all advice for operating in extreme cold environments that I can get. Thank You.

 

Gave you an answer up in the help forum that you posted.<br><br>~Dave

 

Hi cft. I can only answer the MMO question. MMO does not have anti-gel properties as far as I know. I run MMO in mine all of the time. You will need an additive like Howes or Power Service that is specifically made for anti-gel. There are several guys from AK that hopefully will chime in with answers to you other concerns.

 

It all sounds like you got some pretty good sound advice. You may want to check around for recommendations for local independant shops also, to do the work. If you were in Anchorage I could help you there. Your fuels up there like Anchorage already have gone to the #1 fuel till spring. Try now before it gets real cold the time needed for the block heater. I would start with 2-3 hours prior to starting with the factory block heater. The more heaters you install the less time you'll need to preheat. The colder it is the more you'll need. Good Luck and welcome to Alaska. It does get ugly cold in Fairbanks for sure.

 

Welcome to Fairbanks. I would take my vehicle to the auto hobbie shop on Wain Wright. They have good people that can help you. You only need one freeze plug block heater &quot;650 Watt&quot;, one oil pan heater&quot;100 Watt&quot;, one silicon heater auto transmittion heat&quot;100 watt&quot; two battery blankets. I do not use battery blankets on my truck as I use it every day. You may want to install and energy saver plug it hooks up on the lower radator hose and turns the heaters on and off when the engine water temp drops below 30 degree. I use synthic oil year round. Devac, Shell Rotella,Ouaker State, what ever brand that is rated for Diesels will work. You can get Amsoil at the base gas station. I add a pint of anti diesel gel at the beginning of the season. The fuel you by here is good to 70 below but you can never tell add a can of heat for diesels if you part your vehicle in a heated garradge. You can add an interior heater but you have to watch your total watts as most HBO's are only 20 amps.....110V *20amp =2200watts<br>The diesels rule up North the pipe line company runs nothing but diesels. Good luck, Stay warm, and always carry your survivial gear<br>Dennis

 

Cft68 go to the BX/PX gas station and buy your silicon pads and some RTV to paste them to your Tran,Batterys, and oil pan. The last time I checked about $15 each. You can also check on a freeze plug heater why you are there. I have the service manual on CD if you need help. The base auto Hobby shop has all the tools you need. You can also ask the PX gas station what they would charge to put the block heater in. I purchased a High Idle kit from Gomers for $220 dollars and never installed it. I have the split bench seats and use my snow brush to kick up the idle. I usually idle at 1300 RPM. As far as the cold front goes I got mine from Alaska Tent and Tarp. I think it cost $50 and took ten minutes to install. Diesel Doc is the best in town but he is also the most expensive. Stay away from Gabe's high prices poor service.<br>Dennis

 

I have an 02 ram and the manual says It comes with an engine block heater. Now, is that the same as a freeze plug heater or do I still need to add that? Do you use a regular multiple outlet electrical connector to fuse all these heaters together or is ther some special kit to buy? What's the best thing I can do to improve my traction for this 2WD dually beast? Thank you for your help.

 

I have an 02 ram and the manual says It comes with an engine block heater. Now, is that the same as a freeze plug heater or do I still need to add that?..You should have a plug for it on the passenger side of the vehicle yes that is your block heater. Do you use a regular multiple outlet electrical connector to fuse all these heaters together or is ther some special kit to buy? You will need a 4 outlet recepticle box if your are going to add and oil pan heater,battery blankets, and interior heater What's the best thing I can do to improve my traction for this 2WD dually beast? Good tires with studs, sand bags for weight PX gas station has the items you need go to local lumber yards for sand bags, Alaska tent tarp for winter front energy saving cord NAPA

 

The Captain is right on the money, the factory block heater is just fine and oil pan heater a must. I would spend the money for the battery blankets as the preheat grid draws big amps and cold batteries only produce 45-50% Max at that temp. The tranny heater can be a pain on low trucks in these conditions as they are a target for everthing, instead we use a CAT tarp. When it is below -30 ours are tarped fom top of rad to middle of tranny so everthing is benefitting from generated heat including the cab floor.( CAT tarp is CANVAS not plastic) As far as the tranny goes switch to synthetic ATF as in this environment 5-10 minutes warmup will be absolute minimum by then tranny will work just fine. Weight, easy way if you dont use box in winter is make 2&quot;x6&quot; frame starting by cutting 2 2x6's width of box inside and place 1 ahead of inner fender and 1 behind on edge. Measure between 2 already placed on edge and cut square, place in between and Screw together. This box is secured by width of pickup box and fender wells, should hold 20 Boyscout sand bags at 40lbs each = 800lbs directly over drive axle, this combination will give you good traction, balance of weght front to rear and definitly smooth out the ride. Bonus to this is you always have managable source of traction sand with you. If you dont have tool box get one and carry a winter survival kit with you including diesel extras like 2-3 5 gal. cans diesel. PK

 

All the good information in here should be transcribed into a FAQ for winter driving conditions. While I as well as many others don't have to face these conditions, I was stationed way-way- up north (Alaska and Iceland) and sure would have benefited from this shared knowledge. Hey, GONZO.<br><br>~Dave