New Member w/ New (to me) 99 Yukon

[blreed42778]

Hello all. Just bought a 99 Yukon from my father in-law. He sold it to me for a price I could not pass up. I needed a 4x4 because I am moving to Alaska and he was wanting to buy an Avalache so it worked out great. I do have a few questions that some of you may be able to answer.

The driver seat heater switch is busted. Where can I find a new one or does the whole panel have to be replaced? I would like to have it fixed before I move to Alaska. Leather seats get COLD!

Does anyone have any experience with remote starters? Any recommendations here?

Does anyone live in a cold environment such as Alaska? Besides a block heater, what do I need to do to prepare the Yukon for the cold? I know I need to change all the fluids. Do I need to change the type of motor oil or any other fluid from what is normally used?

Thanks in advance for any help.

---------- Post added at 09:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:23 AM ----------

Another question. My father in-law only had the vehicle for a few months before I got it. We dont really know the maintenance history or what kind of oil was run it. Is it ok to switch to a synthetic oil? What about flushing it with that sea foam stuff? It has 107K on it.

 

[the 18th letter]

Welcome to the site! Here's a previous thread on the subject.

http://tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18059

Anything else specific just ask, there are some knowledgeable members here.

 

[Effeckt]

Welcome to the forum Bryan.

 

[blreed42778]

Thanks guys. Thanks for the link for that thread. I'm new to this forum thing so if I post in the wrong place, please dont sick the Mods on me!

 

[SunlitComet]

Does anyone have any experience with remote starters? Any recommendations here?

[QOUTE]
www.clifford.com remote starters

 

[blreed42778]

Thank you.

Guys, I've got a lot of little annoying things to fix on this. It was a refurb (but doesnt have a salvage title) Everything is good with it mechanically but they hacked on the little stuff and the paint. The guy that did it was a friend of my father in law. He is a good mechanic and just starting to get experience in auto body so that part kinda lacks. The paint job looks decent but upon close inspection, you can see some sags and some fish eyes on the top. The reasons I got it was mostly the price and what the bank values it at. I got it for $4200 and the bank valued it at $9000. I'm heading to Alaska and wanted something I wasnt going to be butt hurt about if it ended up in a ditch. With the price I paid, I should still be able to make some money on it before I leave Alaska. We've also got a 2WD Trailblazer that we are looking to trade for a newer Tahoe or Yukon next year. My wife wants one with one of the newer body style. Thank you all for the help!

 

[noJeepshere]

@blreed42778: When you leaving? I'm HOPEFULLY headed to Fairbanks in February for work.

Stuff you need at the least:
Block heater or two
Oil pan heater
Winterfront over the grill
AT LEAST 5w-30, 0W-30 is better
Chains
Safety kit with food, blankets, (mine has a stove and pot for water in the cold,) flares, orange flag, extra belts, hoses, fluids and tools. Takes a lot of space but if you break down far from any town (some towns are 90 miles or more apart) in such cold, you may not see anyone else for a while.

I've traveled to Alaska every summer for 4 years, but never this early in the season, but always in snow in the spring. I'm hoping nest winter I can stay up north and live in Alaska year round.

 

[blreed42778]

We leave 14 December. We are driving from Oklahoma City to my parent's place in California to spend the holidays and then drive to Washington to get on a ferry. There is no way in hell I am driving the ALCAN this time of year!!! We will be in Anchorage on the 9th if all goes well (please keep your fingers crossed for me!)

Thanks for the advice. I didnt think about the oil pan heater! On the oil, does it matter if its synthetic?