planning for the ALCAN in 2011

[86isuzu]

aux gas tank (27 gal) going in 1st week of April.

Don't forget to post install pics

 

[strvger]

just a quick update.
aux tank is in. i'll try to get pics here but it will probably be a couple of weeks due to bad weather (snow predicted for tomorrow) and having to make a trip out of state for my dad who has pneumonia.
starting to purchase spares. so far, have power steering lines and complete duraspark ignition as my spare. next will be fuel pump, ps pump, brake master cylinder, and water pump. also on the list are radiator and heater hoses. probably will try to get a set of wheel bearings and wheel cylinders as well. i'm hoping that will just about do it. i'd rather carry a few spares i probably won't need than have to wait someplace while a garage orders them in. should have less than $300 spent for the spares, using ebay pricing and the local parts places.
also getting a few tools together. have rechargeable drill, and saw (they use the same battery and recharger), and multi tool. have most everything else in tools already.
so, that's it so far. still need to get the cb installed and maybe another set of lights on top. not sure about the lights yet. and need to get the bed organizer cut and installed, after pics of the aux tank are done.
forgot: got the 4.56 gears in and detroit in the back. WOW! what a difference in driveability! love it!
more in a few weeks hopefully!

 

[MountainMike]

I had a comic that was perfect for this but now I can't find it.

It showed a lifted Jeep at a gas station with stuff strapped to the roof and a mesh front plate. There was a gas station attendant filling it up as a little Civic hatch zipped by. The attendant just looked at the Jeeper and said "I guess you know the highway isn't as bad as you thought it would be"

 

[MountainMike]

http://milepost.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=401

Even I didn't know that the last section of the Alaska Highway was paved in 1992. Cool.

More sites:
http://www.outwestnewspaper.com/akhwy.html
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/theyukonthenorthwestterritoriesandnunavut/3048027881.html

 

[strvger]

i feel like i need to carry the spares if for no other reason than the age of my truck. parts for 83's can be tough to come by. better having them and not needing them than not having them and needing them badly. yeah, guess i'm kinda anal about planing for any eventually (almost).

 

[MountainMike]

i feel like i need to carry the spares if for no other reason than the age of my truck. parts for 83's can be tough to come by. better having them and not needing them than not having them and needing them badly. yeah, guess i'm kinda anal about planing for any eventually (almost).

That's the big thing, the fact it's an '83. And I'm not grilling you, I always say "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". I agree with having it there, it's the whole bring a rifle to fight off bears thing I find kind of humorous personally. I've been up and down the highway a couple times and it's a really good drive, and looking at it from your point of view, I see that preparation is really key. And remember, let me know when your passing through

And that's the benefit of taking a pickup, you have the room to be prepared!

 

[MountainMike]

Liking the avatar, in fact I haven't even seen your truck!

 

[low_five]

alcan is a piece of cake. as long as you have gas.

 

[MountainMike]

alcan is a piece of cake. as long as you have gas.

Installed an aux. tank so he's got the hardest part covered.

 

[strvger]

yeah, i can buy up to about 42 gallons. all i need is the cash to do it!

 

[feellnfroggy]

Too bad I didnt catch you before installing the aux tank. There is a company that makes fuel tanks for stock replacements. Instead of rounded edges like ford does, these guys make them with square corners which makes a 14 gallon tank into a (roughly) 28 gallon tank. Im not sure the exact specs, but replaceing the stock tank with a larger unit allows you to maintain the extra cargo space in the bed. Make sure you have a CB radio. Take it to a shop and have it "tweaked and peaked", meaning its basically tuned to reach ALOT farther. I have seen upwards of 4-500 miles from an FM transmitter. Cells wont always work and satelite phones are expensive. Also Certain GPS units have a distress signal emitter that pinpoints your location with an emergency signal. I just picked up a (I think) Petersons offroad magazine, or maybe it was 4wheel drive. But they list alot of good onboard goodies to have.

 

[crbnunit]

I've driven it many times. While it is true, back as late as the 80's, much of the route was lane and a half wide gravel road... No longer. Most is now 2 lane, divided highway. They have taken much of the charm and challenge out of the drive. There will still be a bit under construction and there will be places the road is kind of rough but nothing like it was in the early 60's when my family first drove it.

You already have your best planning tool. The Milepost. It is a little funky to use but you get used to it and the layout makes sense after a while. Take your time. Hit the scenic spots and stop. I would recommend the Ice field Parkway. It is about 100 miles to the West of Calgary and Edmonton and is more than worth going a little out of the way. See the "Moving to Canada" thread for some pics of the area. It is stunning and arguably one of the most beautiful spots on the planet.

If you drive the ALCAN, don't miss Laird Hot Springs. Well worth the stop to soak off the miles.

If you want a more remote route with a little more adventure, cut West from the Ice field Parkway and make you way over to the Cassiar Highway. Very pretty but fewer services, narrower/rougher roads and miles of undeveloped wilderness. It connects back with the ALCAN just West of Whitehorse if I remember correctly. Maybe Watson Lake. Have to look. Anyway, very pretty. Maybe come up the ALCAN and back the Cassiar?

Why are you making the trip. What are your goals? If you come to Anchorage, look me up!

Vehicle prep is nothing big. You will find services along the ALCAN readily available and well stocked. Pretty much like traveling in the US. Bring spares and come prepared but don't get carried away. Traveling through Canada with a firearm is a hassle. Make your own choice. Absolutely NO handguns. Bring a passport. You can get into Canada without one but good luck getting back into the US without it. Can't keep illegals out but they can keep YOU out!

 

[MountainMike]

If you drive the ALCAN, don't miss Laird Hot Springs. Well worth the stop to soak off the miles.

...

Why are you making the trip. What are your goals? If you come to Anchorage, look me up!

The Liard Hot Springs are a definite must.

And when you pass through Whitehorse I highly recommend taking the jump over to Skagway for a day. It's about a 2 hour drive and it is amazing. There is a earthquake-ready bridge that is only attached on one side. There are two ways to get to Carcross if you are heading to Skagway (we call it 'the loop") and it's really nice to take one there and the other back. Let me know if you want some ideas of things to do and places to go when you hit the capital city. And you have to stop at Braeburn Lodge, they make awesome burgers and giant cinnamon buns!

 

[86isuzu]

Too bad I didnt catch you before installing the aux tank. There is a company that makes fuel tanks for stock replacements. I

What's the name of the company?

 

[strvger]

thanks for all the sight seeing tips. i'm sure i will do my best to get off the main road and see all the sights i can.
i'll print out all these tips and suggestions to take along with me so i don't forget anything or anyplace i want to visit.
as for my aux tank, it's from an inboard motorboat. 27 gal. aluminum and i only paid $50 for it. 48"l x 18"w x 7.5" h, not including all the fill and vent connectors. looked brand new when i bought it. don't think i could have done any better really. no fuel gauge in my dash for it, but i have it connected with my main fuel line with a manual selector valve in the cab by the drivers seat. fill them both, use the aux first. when it starts to run out and the truck sputters a little, reach down and switch to the main tank and then i can watch my fuel gauge again. that's the way the guys who owned their old Scouts used to do it. their gas gauges never lasted more than a couple of years.