purdoe bay, ak

[cruiseninak]

Some friends and I are going to take a trip up to purdoe bay, ak this summer. So I have 6 or 7 months to prep. What would be the preventive maintiance that you would do? I have most of a tune up completed. Just have to do the fuel filter, cap and rotor and plug and wires just need installed. What mods are esential? Tools and sprae parts you would carry? There is an ome lift in my future due to the flatest leaf springs in north america. I have a jeep guy saying"You are going to bring your cruiser?" so I want to be more prepared than him. Thanks in advance.
Pat

 

[2mbb]

I'm sorry but my geography sucks. Are you going to the next town over, or more like across the country. In otherwords, what challenges are you expecting from this trip?

with 97K on an otherwise good condition engine, all you should need is a tune up and maybe bring some spare belts and other minor supplies. If you are going over rough conditions, then you should check out your chassis, and make sure bolts are tight and things are lubed up properly.

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

Run synthetics in everything, fully winterize your anitfreeze, bring Heet for your gas. Also get a battery blanket, trickle charger, block heater and oil pan heater. Bring cold weather emergency gear. Jumper cables...can't think of much else. Just be fully prepared for crappy, sub zero, windy weather.

TK

 

[cruiseninak]

we were planning for may for june. I have the pleasure of working outside so I will pass on even colder. Thanks for the help. More suggestion. Has any one done this trip?

2mbb no worries about the goegraphy about 866 miles from Anchorage to Purdoe bay, one way. I am in Anchorage. Dalton Highway is basically middle of nowhere proper aka gods country. Gas and little else is what I understand about whats available. Hope that helps you understand the challanges.

 

[cruiseninak]

map in case it helps going from anchorage to the north end of highway 11

 

[rusty_tlc]

I've been dreaming about a trip from Reno NV to Purdoe Bay for a couple of years.

My understanding is that the Dalton Highway is basically a good gravel road for much of it's length. I'd throw in a spare Birfield anyway. Do the knuckle service yourself so you know how to swap one if need be.

If you haven't done it already now would be a good time to replace all the belts and hoses. If the parts you take off are in reasonably good shape they can be used as spares.

It would also be a good idea to clean up all your battery and starter connections. Be sure to clean the ground connections at the frame, this is often overlooked and can cause some really hard to trouble shoot problems.

For mods I'd definitely look at a second battery, and larger capacity fuel tank. A second spare tire might also be a good idea. For that long of a trip I think a fridge would almost be a necessity.

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

I've been dreaming about a trip from Reno NV to Purdoe Bay for a couple of years.

My understanding is that the Dalton Highway is basically a good gravel road for much of it's length. I'd throw in a spare Birfield anyway. Do the knuckle service yourself so you know how to swap one if need be.

If you haven't done it already now would be a good time to replace all the belts and hoses. If the parts you take off are in reasonably good shape they can be used as spares.

It would also be a good idea to clean up all your battery and starter connections. Be sure to clean the ground connections at the frame, this is often overlooked and can cause some really hard to trouble shoot problems.

For mods I'd definitely look at a second battery, and larger capacity fuel tank. A second spare tire might also be a good idea. For that long of a trip I think a fridge would almost be a necessity.

I think for may in northern alaska you might not need the fridge

 

[slcfj62]

Unless you already have onboard air, I would suggest a little air compressor like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Industries-MV..._1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1259866602&sr=1-1

I bought one of these a while ago. It comes with a carry case and is easily transferred to whatever vehicle you are driving. It is now as indispensable as jumper cables.

You might also consider a tire plug kit.

 

[AKcruiserfreak]

Oops! Sorry, I didn't notice you said you are leaving in the Summer. That road is BRUTAL in the winter! You will be fine with a full tune up and extras like water, oil, belts, and hoses.

TK

 

[kevinmrowland]

You will be fine, a good running stock cruiser is the perfect vehicle for the drive, a Corolla would probably be fine as well.

It's a long gravel road, there are a lot of potholes, portions of it are paved though.
You will get a flat at least once, be prepared for that, other than that just the normal smart stuff.
The trucks drive really fast and they have the right of way, that means you get out of the the way. They throw up rocks so you might crack a window, but not if you get out of the way.
I even started to stop and move over for on coming traffic after awhile as well.

Even in the summer it will get down to below freezing once you are north of the brooks range, but nothing crazy, a bug net is a good idea.
Enjoy the drive.

Oh, and it's "Prudhoe" Bay.

 

[Mark W]

No mods needed... just make sure you have not ignored maintenance and go for it. It is just a gravel road traveled by big rigs all the time. The only problems come from dealing with breakdowns out where there is no infrastructure.


Mark...

 

[rusty_tlc]

I think for may in northern alaska you might not need the fridge

Really?
I guess if the cooler was outside the truck it would stay cool. If it's in the heated passenger compartment I don't think ice would last the four or five days it takes to drive 1600+ miles. I guess you could just leave the ice chest outside at night with the lid open, but then there might be a critter problem. And would there actually be "night" that far north at that time of the year?

 

[Bret]

We stopped for 2 seperate folks who blew tires, one was a couple from Georgia on a honeymoon with an Explorer running 4 bald tires, they had blown one and we happened across them when they blew the second. Took them and both spares to Coldfoot where they were "raped" for 2 used tires, but it beat the alternative.

Be sure to stop in Coldfoot at the diner for breakfast, it was awesome! We had to stop a ways down the road because we were sleepy though.

Good tires and a good spare would be a good idea, if I remember right there was no place to get gas after you left Coldfoot until you got to Purdoe. A little extra gas wouldn't hurt, especially since 60's are a litttle thirsty. There are a few very interesting places on the way up, one was on the other side of the Yukon, the other was in the middle of "nowhere" You'll know it when you see it if it is still there. It was cool to see so many types of waterfowl in one place, we only saw one musk-ox. We did see it twice though, he hadn't moved far by the time we started back down.

Definately look out for the oncoming trucks and the small boulders they throw up on the way by, mud flaps may help your quarters from getting nicked up.

Neat trip.

Oh yeah, and the sun never set on our 3 day trip.

I guess they have a website now...

http://coldfootcamp.com/

 

[NorCalBorn]

So Pat, this your friend then? re: https://forum.ih8mud.com/expedition-builds/339072-prudhoe-bay-ak.html

 

[cruiseninak]

That would be my friend. I guess we doubled up trying to get your thoughts.

 

[Lost]

this is what i would do, do find a really nasty looking mud hole and drive through it.

if you dont break anything, find a chellenging trail and run it.

if you dont break anything you are good to go.

bring a spare a jack and some tools everywhere you go to be safe

a 20year never wheeled truck is gonna be stiff, you gots to go crack its joints to make sure you are not gonna break its bones.
and if it does break, better close to home then in the middle of your vacation

 

[Dynosoar]

Send a PM to Manuchao he drove his cruiser there lasr summer.


Dynosoar

 

[cruiseninak]

Dynosoar PM sent thanks. Thanks to everyone else too.

 

[alaska60]

its not that bad or that far. its a dirt road with lots of trucks. bring spares and belts. and food too. maybe sunscreen?
and yes...............it is spelled P-R-U-D-H-O-E Bay.

Military based / Alaskan perhaps??????

 

[cruiseninak]

and yes...............it is spelled P-R-U-D-H-O-E Bay.

Give me a break 830 am is late for me after a 12 hour shift. Military. Just like to be prepared. Extra gas?