I'm moving to Alaska.

[JeeperCreeper]

Well... This is it. I'm finally headed to the great white North.

I've been planning for a while and I'm gonna update this with all the crazy useless info I've gathered along the way.

Stay tuned... Or don't. But I feel like my journey will be a shit show.

I'm gonna post a bunch to help myself organize all this in my head. Thanks for the free therapy hahaha

[TacAir]

Moving to where in AK?

[Halfapint]

South east? Central? North? Aleutian? Bering? Inquiring minds want to know! I love the state of Alaska, I’m never disappointed when I go through.

If you are ever in Seattle area hit me up, first beer is on me!

[grumpyviking]

good luck with the move JC, I know nothing about Alaska apart from what I have seen on shows on travel channel.

[Zed Hunter]

I J. C. Being of sound mind and broke legs do hereby leave my ________ (fill in the blank) rifle to whomever finds me. It kilt the bar that kilt me.

[JeeperCreeper]

I J. C. Being of sound mind and broke legs do hereby leave my ________ (fill in the blank) rifle to whomever finds me. It kilt the bar that kilt me.

A gen-uuu-wine Hawkins rafle...

[woodsghost]

Great to hear! It will be fun reading about your adventures

[JeeperCreeper]

Ok, so here's the jist:

Where: Anchorage area

When: Mid-january-ish

Why: Good job offer at a hospital in Anchorage

How: Driving my 2001 XJ from Pittsburgh, PA to Seattle/Tacoma, WA, put the Jeep on a freighter and fly to anchorage. Still trying to figure out logistics with firearms and ammo or if I just wanna wing it and go through Canada.

So half, there's a good chance I will want that beer in WA or I may even rent your couch hahahaha

[Halfapint]

Ok, so here's the jist:

Where: Anchorage area

When: Mid-january-ish

Why: Good job offer at a hospital in Anchorage

How: Driving my 2001 XJ from Pittsburgh, PA to Seattle/Tacoma, WA, put the Jeep on a freighter and fly to anchorage. Still trying to figure out logistics with firearms and ammo or if I just wanna wing it and go through Canada.

So half, there's a good chance I will want that beer in WA or I may even rent your couch hahahaha

Hit me up, I'm not sure where I'll be living at then (might be moving to the property) but if you need let me know. Also send me a message if you have questions about transporting firearms/ammo. Not sure how much you're looking at transporting but I can let you know what you can an cannot bring.

[JeeperCreeper]

Ok, so here's the jist:

Where: Anchorage area

When: Mid-january-ish

Why: Good job offer at a hospital in Anchorage

How: Driving my 2001 XJ from Pittsburgh, PA to Seattle/Tacoma, WA, put the Jeep on a freighter and fly to anchorage. Still trying to figure out logistics with firearms and ammo or if I just wanna wing it and go through Canada.

So half, there's a good chance I will want that beer in WA or I may even rent your couch hahahaha

Hit me up, I'm not sure where I'll be living at then (might be moving to the property) but if you need let me know. Also send me a message if you have questions about transporting firearms/ammo. Not sure how much you're looking at transporting but I can let you know what you can an cannot bring.

Yeah the rules on firearms/ammo is tough because it's half law and half company policy. It seems that no shipping company allows firearms and ammo unless it's the ferry (only runs in summer), and I'm limited in driving through Canada. So luckily my inlaws will allow me to put a safe in their basement for my goodies and Ill just bring 2 pistols and 2 rifles...

...it's tough limiting all my babies.

[TacAir]

You flying?

Bring 'em up as air cargo. No big. Cost varies by airline.

Thee is a limit on ammo for commercial carriers

FAA rulz
Cartridges up to 19.1mm, shotgun shells

Quantity limits: Reasonable amount for "personal use" during a trip. However, international (ICAO/IATA) regulations and some airlines in the U.S. limit this to 5 kg (11 pounds) gross weight per passenger. Check with your airline.

Small arms ammunition includes cartridges up to 19.1 mm (.75 caliber) and shotgun shells. It does not include black powder, smokeless powder, primers, percussion caps, or homemade powder and ball loads for muzzle loading.

Ammunition must be securely packed in boxes or other devices specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition. Ammunition clips and magazines must also be securely boxed so no ammunition is loose or exposed.

Alaska airlines
Firearms/shooting equipment

The following items may be included in your normal baggage allowance. Excess charges will apply for additional pieces of baggage. All items must be suitably packaged for transport.

One rifle case with rifles, scopes, one shooting mat, noise suppressors and small tools, or
One shotgun case with shotguns, or
One pistol case with pistols, noise suppressors, one pistol telescope and small pistol tools

There is no limit to the number or type of firearms (rifles/shotguns/pistols) per case. Different firearm types may be in the same case as long as each type is properly packed.

[Beowolf]

Man, congrats! Looking forward to updates.

[JeeperCreeper]

Anyone know a safe and secure and easy image hosting site so I can post my own pictures?

[moab]

I'm envious. Wish I was going with you.

[JeeperCreeper]

I'm envious. Wish I was going with you.

Saddle up, partner!

[moab]

I'm envious. Wish I was going with you.

Saddle up, partner!

You have no idea. LOL!

[JeeperCreeper]

So I've been updating my Jeep for the long journey....

Over the last 3 months I've done a lot of work to her... New brakes and brake lines, new injectors, new ignition coil and spark plugs, new thermostat and radiator flush.

Plus some fun stuff like wheels and tires!!!

One of the big things about Alaska is they dont use salt on the roads. Basically gravel and sand and snow gets packed down to ice. So as a person who likes to be prepared, I got some studded snow tires to augment my "summer" all terrains.

Jeep specs: 1.5" lift from Old Man Emu

Summer combo: 15" Procomp D window steelies (3.75" BS) with 30x9.5r15 General Grabber AT2
Winter combo: 16" Rubicon 5 spokes (approx 5" BS) with 235/75r16 Cooper Discoverer M+S studded

No real rubbing from either tire except for the 30's on full lock. I've been running the Grabbers for about 2 years and they do great in the snow but not on ice. I've run the Coopers years ago and are decent snow tires but the studs should help on ice and since I had a weird size, they were my only real option locally for winter tires.

Edit: I'll be using the Grabbers to get to Seattle and the Coopers will ride on a hitch rack from Harbor Freight (the 750lb load version)

We'll see how they travel and if it's worth all the work

[SRO1911]

For the guns, fedex them to yourself.

[moab]

So I've been updating my Jeep for the long journey....

Over the last 3 months I've done a lot of work to her... New brakes and brake lines, new injectors, new ignition coil and spark plugs, new thermostat and radiator flush.

Plus some fun stuff like wheels and tires!!!

One of the big things about Alaska is they dont use salt on the roads. Basically gravel and sand and snow gets packed down to ice. So as a person who likes to be prepared, I got some studded snow tires to augment my "summer" all terrains.

Jeep specs: 1.5" lift from Old Man Emu

Summer combo: 15" Procomp D window steelies (3.75" BS) with 30x9.5r15 General Grabber AT2
Winter combo: 16" Rubicon 5 spokes (approx 5" BS) with 235/75r16 Cooper Discoverer M+S studded

No real rubbing from either tire except for the 30's on full lock. I've been running the Grabbers for about 2 years and they do great in the snow but not on ice. I've run the Coopers years ago and are decent snow tires but the studs should help on ice and since I had a weird size, they were my only real option locally for winter tires.

Edit: I'll be using the Grabbers to get to Seattle and the Coopers will ride on a hitch rack from Harbor Freight (the 750lb load version)

We'll see how they travel and if it's worth all the work

What year? I just bought a TJ last Sunday. WAs gonna do a write up but have not gotten to it.

[JeeperCreeper]

For the guns, fedex them to yourself.

That's probably what I'm gonna do with my handguns that I want up there. As far as rifles, I'm probably going to fly up with those (I bought a pelican-knockoff from Plano). Problem isn't shipping them, it's finding a place that will ship them that understands the laws and their company's policies. Every person basically thinks "oh no, you can't do that"... even though you can.

Luckily I can keep my gear with family. My contract will be for 2-3 years so I don't plan on staying in AK forever, so I'll just have to make due with a limited number.

[JeeperCreeper]

So I've been updating my Jeep for the long journey....

Over the last 3 months I've done a lot of work to her... New brakes and brake lines, new injectors, new ignition coil and spark plugs, new thermostat and radiator flush.

Plus some fun stuff like wheels and tires!!!

One of the big things about Alaska is they dont use salt on the roads. Basically gravel and sand and snow gets packed down to ice. So as a person who likes to be prepared, I got some studded snow tires to augment my "summer" all terrains.

Jeep specs: 1.5" lift from Old Man Emu

Summer combo: 15" Procomp D window steelies (3.75" BS) with 30x9.5r15 General Grabber AT2
Winter combo: 16" Rubicon 5 spokes (approx 5" BS) with 235/75r16 Cooper Discoverer M+S studded

No real rubbing from either tire except for the 30's on full lock. I've been running the Grabbers for about 2 years and they do great in the snow but not on ice. I've run the Coopers years ago and are decent snow tires but the studs should help on ice and since I had a weird size, they were my only real option locally for winter tires.

Edit: I'll be using the Grabbers to get to Seattle and the Coopers will ride on a hitch rack from Harbor Freight (the 750lb load version)

We'll see how they travel and if it's worth all the work

What year? I just bought a TJ last Sunday. WAs gonna do a write up but have not gotten to it.

2001, the last year of the XJs. Mine has 190k miles and still runs great. Obviously all the wear items need replaced randomly... basically everything connected to the serpentine belt has been replaced once or twice. But as far as drivetrain, these 90's and early 2000's Jeeps run forever.

[JeeperCreeper]

Updates:

Considering driving through Canada. Shipping my Jeep from Seattle with gear in it will cost roughly $3000. The point of driving my beater there is to save money, so it looks like I'll be suffering the 70 hours to get there the long way.

Also, the Harbor Freight 750lb cargo carrier is super flimsy. Probably going to take it back and reconsider my choices.

[JeeperCreeper]

Updates:

Officially leaving for Canada at the end of this month. Trying to make the 4000 miles in 5 days.

Also, took the Harbor Freight cargo rack back. Never buy a "flip up" version as it bounces like crazy. Got a solid version to haul some gear. Also, I receiver tightener is a great invention.

Considering making a Youtube video of my gear and the journey. But I also worry about my identity as my channel has professional videos on it. So maybe I'll start a fake account hahahaha.

Yes, I'm paranoid.

[boskone]

Updates:

Officially leaving for Canada at the end of this month. Trying to make the 4000 miles in 5 days.

That's pretty ambitious. I team drove about half that distance for work in two days, and it was pretty grueling.