1- block heater....YES
2- Undercoating or electronic rust control unit....YES (ontario spreads the salt on the roads by the truck load)
3- Install mopar seat wamer's....YES...(i have them...and i wouldl not go without.)
4- hardtop...yes (only if you can afford to by one, if you don't already have one)
5- winter tires...its not law yet in ontario, i don't have a set yet myself, but recommended
6- Gloves...that steering wheel and shifter is cold to touch at -30C.
7-Slush matts....YES

 

Toronto is a great place to live! Plus you will get the fun of seasons....I always look forward to winter in the late summer....and vice versa in the winter.

Block heater is a heating element on the oil pan that warms the engine and oil some before starting. This vehicle is the first in 30 years of driving that has one....and I doubt I will ever use it.

A visit to the local hand spray wash once every few weeks is all that is required to keep things in good shape....and less messy than running your own washer in the dead of winter.

If you still have lots of tread on your stock rubber you should be just fine without going to snows.

 

I've got both the soft top and hard top. Hard top in the winter, soft top for the rest of the year. Being able to scrape your windows off in the morning, and use the rear washer and wiper is a nice touch.

Like others have mentioned, a basic winter driving kit is a good idea. Mine's pretty simple, blanket, gloves, toque, tow straps (more for pulling other people out when they get stuck at the end of their driveway after the plows go by), first air kit, etc... Oh, and a CAA membership is great for peace of mind. Pays for itself the first time you get towed off the side of the 401 and can change a flat in the calm of a parking lot instead of with Toronto drivers screaming past your shoulder at 140km/h.

The one think I can't stress enough is learn how your jeep handles in the snow BEFORE you go out into traffic. Before I moved into Toronto, I lived a little farther southwest of here, right in the middle of the snow belt. And despite 20 years of driving in conditions way worse than you'll ever see in the city, I still take the time to go and play when the snow hits. 8-9 months is a long time to forget the finer points. And no mater how good you are at controlling your vehicle in situations you put yourself into, you've got 3 million other people who may have never seen snow before, and are out there with you.

 

I live just outstide Toronto.

I have yet to use the block heater on my JK.....you probably wont need it at all unless you are moving up north.

The Duelers that come on the Sahara worked great last winter....i pulled out a "duellie" pick up truck last winter that was stuck on our street. I just picked up the Goodyear Duratrac's which are rated 10/10 in snow...can't wait to see how they perform this winter. If you have A/T tires you will be fine,

My hard top goes on around Nov and then soft top goes on in April. I would highly recommend the hard top if you have one. You will need to scrape the ice off some mornings and you won't be able to if you have a soft top.

Definitely get your JK either sprayed to fight off the salt/rust. Or just get one of those electronic rust module's and you will be good to go.


Good luck!

 

Living in the high country for 15 years and the coldest place in the nation(yearly avg. temp) Fraser Colorado, has given me a good idea of the things to carry with out going over board.
1. a good snatch strap, 2" x 30' is small enough to pack and long enough so that you can be on the road while pulling your buddy out in the ditch.
2. large wire gauge jumper cables

That's it..............never used a block heater on any of my cars and 2 years ago we hit a new record -48 actuall wished I had one that time but really how often does it get to -10 or more below?

Drive smart!!!!!!!! stay out of the ditch and assume that every one else on the road are idiots and you must EXPECT them to do something stupid.

 

2014



GTA is much warmer than montreal , the don't really get a hard winter like here , they don't get 25 in of snow one day , -40 the next day and rain 2 days later.........


buy a shit load of windshield washer , you will need a lot
a good scraper
keep warm clothing in the JK in case of emergency


and car wash once a week to remove the salt, in summer a major wash is the best

 

1.. I run all seasons on my Sahara and if it snows 4x4 has worked fine. Unless you are up in the rural country with mounds of snow, don't think you need winters

2.. Salt, rust--this year (in April) I went to Krown Rust Control and had my under body sprayed, followed with a new technology they have that protects salt corrosion underneath the Jeep as well. This is supposed to be a one time application that stop rust from forming. I will spray rust control annually

3.. I also have heated fanny seats, along with a remote starter which pretty much means I don't need a block heater

4.. Hard top yes, soft top of course!

 

Let us know when you get up here. When run a lot from spring to fall!

 

Thanks for all the responses. I am going to work on getting the undercarriage sprayed first. Then get some steelies with snow tires for the winter to save my $$wheels. Then try one winter with soft top and then get a hard top if necessary. You guys are great. Looking forward to seasons again and being closer to the mountains.

 

I hope it's a killer job and I hope the wife is worth it. sorry to lose a fellow southerner, but I wish you well.