Well Jason, I myself made the Journey from MN (Grand Rapids) to Fairbanks and it wasn't to bad. After you get North of Whitehorse Yukon is when the roads get somewhat bad but nothing crazy. Never did it in the winter but I hear the roads are better from all the snow cover filling in pot holes and such. I wasn't a big fan of Canada and gas prices are little more spendy there so if you have the time head West as much as you can in the US and then head up into Canada. My first time I went straight north up to International Falls and crossed into Canada and went to Winnipeg (only because I had family there to stay with for the first night) and then headed West. Never had any problems that trip. I've also read about winter trips up here there are less gas stations due to seasonal stores. Don't really have any other info on that unless someone else does? I have friends up here who did it in winter time and said they had no issues with gas. I'd recommend taking a 5 gallon tank with if you can (I did but never used it, still a good idea though). My second time I went to Montana first to visit a friend and then straight up into Canada. Little out of the way but I enjoyed it more not having to be in Canada as long. No problems that time either. Hopefully you have a factory spare in the trunk? Never had to use mine both trips but still a good idea to have one ready to go. Definitely bring warm clothes and a candle or two. A lot less people on the roads in Canada in winter from what I hear (Yukon and North). Could be hours if something were to happen for someone to pass by. As for your car, Fairbanks is a bit chilly. Definitely need to get a block heater, trickle charger or battery blanket for the battery (trickle charger is better in my opinion, at least you know you battery will be charged every morning when you wake up) and also an oil pan heater. Thats the bare minimum to get you by in the winter. Some people even throw on a tranny heater. Unlike MN up here in AK they use gravel instead of salt so you dont have to worry about your car from rusting away like they do down there, only downside is a lot of rock chips on the front of your vehicle if you follow people to closely and guaranteed to crack your windshield every winter. But hey, better than rust in my opinion. I definitely think the winters are better here too. Nice and dry so 50 below is really damn cold but its better than the humid windy cold in MN. Other than than if you have any specific question ask away. Enjoy the trip and I will probably see you around.

Brandon

 

^^ what he said lol

Welcome to Alaska, both of you. Some time this next summer we should meet somewhere between here and FBX and get some photos and b.s

 

Sounds good to me. I'm actually heading down to Anchorage this Friday night to find a car for the wife.

 

Oh and you can say goodbye to your 93 premium. Nothing above 90 up here from what I have found or read.

 

How's the stock 2011 tune with this fuel? I'm putting off a tune till I get some fuel work done but if it's really worth it I'll look into it. Planning on getting a oil pan heater, trans heater, rear diff heater, and most likely a coolant heater. Didn't think of the trickle charger but might be a good idea. Gonna have a whole mess of wires coming out of it.

As for the drive, how much was gas when you went through? Also how recently? google maps puts me through Winnepeag and then NW. Also how long did it take you? I'm currently down in South Africa with not much to do so I'm trying to plan ahead. Are those heaters easy to get in fbanks or is it better to get before hand. Any mods you recommend before getting up there?

=Jason-

 

Unless your going to be in fairbanks you can ditch the heaters, you won't need them. Your car will run ok on the 90 but some torco or other additive wouldn't hurt.

 

You should be fine with a stock tune on 90. I have a couple friends up here with the 2011 and they are doing just fine. All the heaters you mentioned are easy to find. All the NAPA, O'Reilly's, CarQuest, whatever you prefer sells that stuff up here. Just tell them what you drive and they will hook you up. Pretty cheap too. You DEFINITELY need something for your battery, whether it be a trickle charger or battery blanket. Batteries here in Fairbanks don't like nights when it dips down to -50.

As for the drive I came up August of 2011 and again in May 2012. Gas prices were about $5 a gallon. Something a little over a dollar a liter. Nothing crazy but it was definitely more expensive. And I can't remember anything about premium there. First trip was with a Silverado and second was with a Legacy so I wasnt buying premium. Not sure if they even sell that stuff once you get up into the Yukon area but don't take my word for it. Would be a good thing to look into.

The first trip I took my time and did it in 4 days. Only driving when it was light out for the most part. Had a truck packed to the max with a trailer so I took it easy. Second time I'm drove straight up non stop and it took something like 45 hours. I definitely dont recommend that if this is your first time.

As for mods the other guys might be better help on that. I'm running a SnowPerformance Water/Meth injection kit. Helps a little with the octane.

 

Just ordered my Fuel Lab FPR and Tovic Fuel Pressure Gauge for my AEM rail. Now just to order the lines and fittings....

 

Selling my half radiator, if anyones interested. Decided on another route =]

 

Seen all types of Evos running around today. Saw a white 8 this morning on the doon and then a silver 8 with a messed up front bumper drive by my store a little while ago.

 

Anyone gotta a good recommendation for a towing company? Need to have experience w/lower cars. Someone told me Riggs is pretty good. Forgot which company i used for my evo.

 

I leave this Saturday.

It was good to meet those of you that I did. It was an experience up here, to say the very least.

Can't wait to repaint my Evo and not worry about getting blasted by rocks all the time.



Doesn't rain much in New Mexico, so hopefully I'll get to drive her more than 16,000 miles in 4 years LOL

 

Rusty, you should still poke around a little on the AK forums and give us updates on all the progress of the Evo.

 

Blake Towing 907.632.5510

 

Thanks Mike. Any clue if they're allowed on the docks? Was told by my shipping company that it's like a extra 100-200 to get permits to go on the docks to pick up vehicles. Really not to worried since the shipping company was recommended by AMS plus they have a 100k insurance policy, so any damage will be covered.