We went in the middle of February and the trucks were pretty much stock. Besides normal service, the only things I did to my Toyota were:
- Change the oil to 5W-20 Mobil 1
- Fresh coolant (-70C)
- Replaced my 10-year old Optima (the old one was still okay but it was 10 years old...)
- Installed a magnetic oil heater (sticks to the oil pan) but I don't think was necessary and only used once
- Took a cover for the radiator but never installed it
The truck performed fine but the canopy and shocks took a real beating on the winter roads. The rear hinged window frame is about to fall out and the Rancho RS 9000's now leak (but do have > 100k miles on them...)
The Disco had the serpentine belt freeze to a pulley and when it was started in the morning the belt was ripped apart. Auto parts availability is limited in Norman Wells so Norman (the owner) bought a 5-groove belt (vs. the proper 7-groove - I think) that was slightly longer, but worked.
Distance between fuel stations was a problem, especially for the Disco. We both carried 20L jerry cans and needed them.
I posted pics of Buffalo Air's C-46 and made a comment about it being on TV. After talking to my brother in the States, I'm now unsure if you guys know about this plane (or Buffalo's others). We all know about "Ice Road Truckers" but do you guys have "Ice Pilots" on the History Channel in the US?
It was a good trip, we all enjoyed seeing Norman Wells. However, last summer's unfinished business remains...