Gee oh Dee

I could help...

mrfajita

Magnesium Chloride. That stuff eats aluminum like a fat cop eats donuts.

Jmb94

Nobody answered the OP!

I guess I will, and as a Journalist, I guess I have to answer with a question:

If you live in Alaska, WHY WOULD YOU BUY A 2WD XJ!?

Jeepjunky

lol i know u could...wouldnt be a bad idea actually

xjbirby

Bottom line: I've just gotten orders for Alaska. Need to know what (if any) upgrades I need to make to the XJ for the big move and a few years living in Alaska.
I have a 2000 XJ, 3.5" Rubicon Express lift with BF Goodrich A/T 31" x 10". The tires are nearing replacement and will likely do so once I make up it there (want to shave the fenders first to fit some bigger tires on there). Have Banks headers, magnaflow cat, and Aero Turbine exhaust.
I cracked a head earlier this year and had it replaced. Also replaced the water pump and radiator.
I'm definitely getting the engine warmer put on, but looking for any other advice to keep the Jeep on the up and up for everyday driving.

Jmb94

buy another set of BFG AT's. Good snow tires. Consider a winch in case you do get stuck. Make sure your heater's working as well as it should. Other than that you sound pretty much set.

mrfajita

I love the snow 10x more with my grooved and siped super swampers. Went to the mountains today, found a few sections of road with 6 inches of snow, uphill. Put it in 4hi and floored it from a dead stop. 0-40 in 4 seconds with no slipping just a lot of resistance pushing the tires through the snow, I literally could not get them to slip in 4hi.
I've driven a Subaru on snow tires in snow, a 3/4 ton truck on all seasons, and my Jeep's 2 previous sets of tires (MT/Rs and crappy street tread) and nothing beats the Jeep on TSLs

CoastieShep

I did 2 tours in Kodiak, so I have a good idea. Not sure where in AK you're getting stationed, so that will make a bit of a difference.
You won't need a winch, unless you plan on heading off road. But then again, if you're in AK, in the winter, and off road alone, well let's just say you shouldn't do that. Do plan on packing warm clothes and blankets in your jeep, along with a small camp stove, water and a few things of ramen or something, in case you break down or something. Each time I drove through, I had enough food and water for about 4 days.
Now to the Jeep. Get about some cans of rubberized undercoating and slather the underside with that stuff. Takes 3-4 cans to put one coat on there. Personally, I'd do 2 coats. In Kodiak, they didn't use salt on the roads. They do spread pea gravel everywhere. Not sure about other parts though. As far as the BFG TA KO tires, they are awesome in the snow and ice. I had them on my f-150 up there, and they were awesome. I preferred that over the tahoe with cooper snow tires. Both were 4x4. If there's snow on the roads, just put it in 4x4 hi. It's just so much nicer. Chains aren't a must, but they are very nice. If you're farther north, like Anchorage or farther up, get yourself an oil pan heater and plug your jeep in whenever it hits the single digits.
If you have to park outside, get up in the morning, go outside, brush the snow off your windows (don't scrape the ice) start up your jeep with the defroster on full. Let it run for a good 20 minutes and it will be nice and thawed. Just be ready for drum brakes to freeze up on you. I usually had to use 4lo in the morning to get out of my driveway to break the drum brakes free. Also a good idea to flip up your windshield wipers before you park for the night.
I'm sure I'm forgetting something. If I think of it, I'll get back to you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask, or pm me if you prefer.
By the way, where are you getting stationed?

xjbirby

Heading to Anchorage, stationed at Ft. Richardson. Likely going to get chains for the ride up, will have to drive from Haines to Anchorage after I get off the ferry. Dropping the Jeep off this week to put the oil pan heater on and replace all the fluids.