im currently in socal. i want to build my wrangler unlimited to make it to prudhoe bay and back. i was just woundering if anyone here made the trip or know what i would need other then warm clothies and food. any river crossings?

i do have a 7.62x54r rifle for bears

 

If u plan in driving up from 29 Stumps, I suggest you leave your stock tires on. Better gas mileage. I'm from Yucca Valley by the way.

 

what are you doing in alaska if your from yucca? thats a huge climate change.

 

I would suggest to bring some extra gas. You probably knew that already but I said it anyway. I beleive the last place for fuel is coldfoot until you get to prudoe bay. I want to make this trek as well someday soon.

 

Air Force brought me to AK the first time. Did my time and decided to move back...

 

sounds fun! i haven't made that drive either-let us know how it goes

also i would reccomend bug spray

 

You don't have to do anything to your Jeep. It will be fine stock. There are people on the haul road. The only thing is maybe extra gas and the shall rock is hard on tires. Have GOOD TIRES,Have a good spare. How do I know this? I rode my 2004 BMW 1150 Adventure motorcycle up there. It's around 250 miles from Fairbanks to Coldfoot. I camped there overnight. Another 250 miles to Deadhorse. I'm going again next year in the Jeep. I went in June 2005 and there were less bugs. It does not get dark only on stormy days, I did have some cold rain but also some hot days. It's an adventure. The Jeep is fine. The rag top is fine also besides a little dust. It's not that cold up there in the summer. You will be running into lots of RV's in the summer months. I'm sure somebody on this forum from Alaska will pipe up and tell you all about it. Again you will have fun. I suggest you go up into the Yukon to Dawson. Old gold town and cross the river and drive the "Top of the World" go back into the States it's the most Northern border crossing for the USA. Don't forget your Passport. You have to have a Passport and no criminal record to go through Canada. You know this Im sure.....
P.S. I don't think Canada will allow a Gun with you. You don't need it. Its not the Bears to worry about. It's the Damn Moose running out in front of you. A Moose, very large animal will destroy your Jeep if you hit one.

 

Some friends of mine did it in a rented Dodge mini-van. The JK is at least that good.

 

At least that good! Sad... So so sad...

 

Yes, I made the trip once a long time ago........in the middle of the winter...!!! It was from the Kenai here and was I believe around 1,100 miles to Prudhoe. We drove straight through onlly stopping for a couple short naps. It was sub zero all the way. You didn't say when you plan on making the trip. The earlier the better after break-up when the bugs aren't as bad.

It's up to you if you want to take a gun. I know somebody said don't worry about it but if it was me I'd bring one. Brown bear/grizzlys as well as blackies are known to tear the hell outta vehicles and airplanes if they smell food....and of course that food they smell may be you. If you like to fish there's great fishing up there. Especially if you get back in off the road a little ways. You cross all kinds of rivers and streams (nothing without bridges so no "crossings" so to speak) that are loaded with grayling and dolly varden trout/arctic char. Not to mention a lot of the shallow ponds/lakes that have pike in them. So again if you do fish and get off the road a ways, it would be nice to have a gun. You can't legally shoot next to the pipeline....unless of course you are about to be eaten.

The road is kept in real good shape because oilfield semis have to drive it all year. But I would have a good set of tires.....it's a lot of gravel. The semis hall ass and they tend to take up more than their share of the road so be on guard all the time.

Don't really know what else to say. If you have more questions let us know....