1969 Ford Highboy Chained Up In -55 

I was reffered to your channel by Waylon Wire, and was very happy with what you are putting out. While I was stationed at the Cold Region Test Center in Ft. Greely AK. way back in 94-96 I did see -80 a couple of times. All of this brings back memories. The accuracy of the things you are showing are right on the money. If you have not lived it you have nothing to compare it to, so many people just do not have a clue. Just listening to the engine laboring, trying to turn the input shaft on the transmission with that frozen oil. Choking down 200 horsepower that should tell you something, like it might be COLD !! Now i have to watch the rest of your videos. Thanks

People don't realize what it takes to do simple work when it's that cold

Who watches over 30 minutes of an old Ford truck starting up? I Do!!! Great video. That’s such a cool old truck.

Don't worry about the experts, most of us love your video's. I live in Sydney Australia, I can't even imagine -50. Please fix the other headlight. The old girl deserves it.

Imagine trying to start a Model T with a hand crank back in the dwy

Some comments: Years back I had a similar truck--360 V8, 4 speed. I started it without a block heater down to -40 F. several times, but it was a hard start. Some tricks I learned from the old-timers--in sustained subzero temps, change the gearbox, transfer case, and differential oil to 50W. Also, when starting the truck in those frigid temps, once one gets the truck to stay running with the clutch engaged, put the transmission in, say, 2nd gear and the transfer case in neutral, then engage the clutch. That will spin the gears in the transmission and transfer case and warm the oil up in them after a little while. Always keep the fuel tank topped off to prevent condensation in the tank and help prevent fuel line freezeups. In those temperatures with that engine, never expect to get more than about 4-6 mpg in winter. For the record, I don't miss those carbureted trucks in cold weather--fuel injection, properly operating, is a godsend in frigid weather. Finally, it's the unfrozen moisture in snow that binds it--the colder the temperature, the more powdery and non compactable the snow is. That is why the ads of AWD and 4WD vehicles driving through drifts are always filmed in frigid temperatures--where the snow is not compacting into "Sierra cement" in front of the vehicle.

Good work bud! minty as all fur for creek!

You will NOT get an argument from me! That took some serious gumption to get that monster started. Once moving, all Old Blue wanted to do was gobble up snowy roads like a Yeti PacMan. Take great care and stay warm up there as best you can! Cheers!!!

This makes me feel much better about out -36 here today.

Eagerly awaiting zip ties and bias plies reaction video to Alaskans are the kings of old iron cold starts. 😅

In 1936 the coldest day in North Dakota was -60 on February 15. That same year in Steel ND was also the record high at 121 degrees. Now that's an awesome 181 degree difference!!

Tough old Ford. Do not think I would have stayed out in that of cold weather just to make a video. Thank you very much in showing what COLD really means

Great video. Love the perseverance!! 55 below is no joke.

You know it's cold out when you try to let the clutch out and it dies. Had a 79 plow truck and it did the same thing but it would start eventually. 👌✌🤘

Awesome vid. Many would think it was boring but I loved the sense of completion and success when she fired up and got moving!

What is better than sipping coffee early on a Saturday morning watching old Ford truck videos in the snow lol. Life is good.

Wow!!! This takes me back to hunting in New Brunswick, Canada about 30 years ago. The guide service, Ron & Dwayne Slipp used these Ford Highboys to take us out to the camps in logging country. Not modded up and bare bones but that truck took us down trails of 1-2 feet of water and through mud with those tall 36" tires. Ron swore by them and said they were the best trucks that he ever used for his business. Old School and Proud Of It!!

-50 degrees?! My limbs would freeze off. High props to you for enduring the cold. Gets to -45 degrees Celsius in my area in January. 😀

Those old carbureted engines sound better than any modern engine

a lot of effort went into making this video. appreciate your dedication.. you are the king of the cold starts haha

First off. Love the fleet. Watching old Blue fire up was totally worth. It. I enjoy these videos. These cold starts are fantastic (-55).

I live in the coldest city in the lower 48 and everything I see and hear checks out. Obviously a legit video. I can tell by the crunch of the snow. Been fighting the same battles here the last week.

Impressive! The coldest I've run across here was minus 21°F. I was surprised, with the air being still that day it didn't seem that cold - and I understood why people had to be TOLD to cover up, by the time one would feel the cold some ears and the tip of the nose would be frozen solid. My (at the time) brand new '96 F150 was the only thing in the lot that would start and only my remembering to hold something with EFI to the floor if it didn't start right up made that happen. In this vid, I'd be surprised if the newer, Fuel injected trucks started at all. Once the Ford lit, the power steering fluid was thick enough that the pump was in bypass until I slowly turned the wheels back and forth, just a little further each time. I was surprised the ether and the propane tank kept enough pressure to work as long as they did for you at more than -50°F.!! Another surprise was that she didn't flood using the choke and all the throttle pumping being that cold. My old IH HATED the choke and much fuel when it was dead cold (-10F. or colder). Too bad you didn't think to show that the antifreeze was nearly frozen slush to begin with. Down here in the lower 48, there's plenty of us that would nearly kill to have that old beast down here. There aren't many honest to God, tough from bumper to bumper pickups down here (MI), even half of the one tons - I don't care what anyone says. Thanks, one bad a** old truck - and proof they just don't build them like they used to.

Anything will get you to where you need to go, but a good ol Ford will always get you home.

Thank God I still think that around zero is cold. You guys are tough up North, BUT you also show that the old Ford F250 is a tough old truck that was built to work in all kinds of conditions. Thanks again for showing what COLD really is and what hardships early settlers went through to develop this type of living conditions.

I just love that old truck she is a runner for sure, I wanted an old truck for years to work on and play with. I am 50 now and disabled from the trucking industry. My wife passed away in 08, and my heart went with her, I have a pace maker since and many other heart issues. ❤️

Thanks for the Video. I LOVE FORD. I'm a Ford guy. I've owned nothing but Ford's all my life.

Makes my -20 in northern Wisconsin look like shorts weather. I can’t imagine the struggle of a guy trying to get to work in the morning who has to start a fire under there oil pan.

I’ve been looking for that truck for years. My dad had one when I was a kid. I learned to drive and plow snow in it. His was red.

-55 is no joke!! That was the lowest recorded temperature ever here in the Eastern Oregon high desert. Some areas around me hit -22 a couple nights ago. I always plug my trucks in during these cold events. Awesome video!! It was interesting seeing your warm up routine. I thought for sure you would put hot ashes in a pan under the engine, LOL.....

My dad has a 1979 Ford F100 with a 302 2 barrel. I wished it was 4 wheel drive but it's not and I still love driving it. I love old square body trucks. Thanks for showing us around and hopefully everything goes well and people and pets stay safe and warm

I am impressed with all your material especially ford trucks love the old high boys i am from north east P.A. 68 years old and have owned 20 ford trucks 13 were 1979 or older and 5 Broncos. I find it truly amazing that a young man like you is so interested in all the material you put on you tube keep it up cause its a pleasure for an old baby boomer to watch you in action .If you get anything out of my comments just remember there are only two people in the world those of us who drive Old Ford trucks and those who wish they did.

I had one with a 390fe and I’ll never forget how bruised my chest, ribs, stomach were when changing the massive intake that is also part of the heads with pushrods passing through. Good times. Didn’t help that it had 38”s with a 8” lift either lol. And no pillows and blankets on the core support didn’t help. Dirty ole bastard

I’m in yooper mi, we have many winters with -55°F … I worked out in the shit for many many years… I also lived in Montana where it usually got -45 - -65°F… from working in the cold, I have learnt that you’re not gonna be cold for long, cause after an Hour you’re Numb.

The oil is like grease in the cold is the reason we mixed fuel and oil with kerosene to thin it up. Use it on all 15 of our log trucks up there for years with no trouble.. one time I remember it got down to -77 in 1973

Awesome video my friend. A++++++ for the valiant effort sir. Its great to see this old Ford perform in the damnedest of weather. Thanks for sharing this.

I had a 1970 F-250 with the 360 FE engine, it didn't like starting in Minnesota winters. I've personally seen -50 and can't imagine -55 feeling much colder. Your video reminded me of that truck in the winter. Thanks for sharing!

I had I tough day at work today but after watching this poor guy just trying to start his truck I can’t complain

I love that truck . Reminds me of my '72 F100 Custom I had back in '88-'91. It was baby blue/white top with a 352 Police Interceptor. I miss my Ford.

Always look forward to your video's now that is cold serious COLD just can not stop those old rigs 😁👍👍👍

That’s one hell of a truck! I would love to have one. Thanks

What a ride! Custom through floor aircon! Classic Ford. 👍🇺🇲

Gotta Love these old trucks.

Great stuff!! You are definitely a dedicated and hard working young man !!!! Thank you for sharing your life with us !!!!! Merry Christmas and God bless you and your family !!!! Eddy

Great video. Not many people get the enjoyment of driving one of them old power houses.

"When the snow under your boots are a squeeking, your engine is sure to need preheating." (Old proverb from northern Sweden )😉🥶🎄👍

you are bring back many memories of my time working in the auto Craft shop on Ft. Greely in the winters of 1973 and 74. When I got out of the Army, we drove out on January 5th and slept on our cars all the way home to lower 48. 70 below when we left.

Thanks for an entertaining, and educational videos this year sir! Appreciate them all. MERRY CHRISTMAS, and GOD Bless to all. Can't wait for what comes along.

As an owner of 84 f150 with a 460 in it I understand in kinda cold weather how hard it is to start. Thanks for the great content.

You know it's cold when you let out the clutch in neutral and it wants to go forward. That 85 w 90 gear oil is like grease.

Grew up in Michigan back in the 70s and it got cold (-20 to 10), but not Alaska cold! :) Watching this video brought back memories of spending time in old trucks.

I've done a lot of work with a 74 f250 with a 390 full of 1980s crower parts. I bet I've had 30,000 lbs behind that thing. 1st gear, low range, wide open throttle, just making it up the mountain with nothing to spare. That old 390 would get hot, & even start backfiring, but it never let me down. Always cooled off going down.

I just watched a guy try to start a truck for 20 minutes and was thoroughly invested the entire time even though it wasn't a vehicle revival video! You're thinking is backwards on the snowbanks though. It actually has to warm up a bit so the snow can get some humidity to bond together. It's so cold even the humidity is frozen out of the air! That climb was hilarious though lol.

I love the total lack of background noise. It has been said there are two times during the year that it gets like that. The dead cold of winter and the hottest part of the summer in the wilderness, when everything is hunkering down for survival.

I lived in Alaska we had 60 below in the interior for a week I really like this video

Hell yeah man, years back my dad needed to haul some firewood at -28 and the only truck that fired up was his old big block 78 Chevy with a Rochester carb. It took a minute but it warmed right up and got the job done

Wow a true cold start my highest respects to you young sir and a Merry Christmas

My first ride was a 70 F100 4wd with the 300 straight six. I loved that truck. I got a kick out of the rotted floor. Mine also fared the same fate. Great video.

Had a 67 short box flair side 4x4 ,loved that truck went threw almost anything and she even started I -50 ‘c in Canada!

I love that you talk to the floor and tell it to stay. Been there done that! Thank you for sharing. You and your truck are tougher than I. Be careful up there!!

Great vid buddy. That old 360 sounds strong. I can relate to the struggle, started the the 77 low boy 250 yesterday, (76 highboy needs a coil). didn't struggle as much as you. Was around 15 degrees Fahrenheit love them old fords

Damn, -55...thats crazy dangerous! Great video.

Loved it. Reminded me of the early 70s ford my dad had when I was a kid.

man I miss thow's old trucks so simple so good .

That's a great old truck and a testament towards durability. I live in New England and about 30 years ago it got down to about 40 below wind chill, my truck wouldn't start so my uncle told me the old school method. Built a huge fire with cord wood and shovel the coals under the truck, long as short it worked 👍 I loved your video and I wish you and your family a great New Year 🎉✌️🇺🇲

First, I love old blue.

This whole week I've been bitching about how cold it's been here in Virginia Beach. It's been a low of 11F. To 28F I couldn't imagine -50!! You gotta feel that in your bones! Respect to you sir! You are a true outdoorsman! 🏔

I almost left a couple of suggestions then I remember in all of my 56 years I have Never started ANY engine in a temp below 25 degrees in South Georgia. AWSOME video, I loved it.

This looks just like my fathers old truck when I was a kid! same color body and grill brings back some of my most memorable moments with him thank you.

Great video! The most difficult part is getting gasoline to vaporize at those temps. And if you think 5W-30 doesn't drip off the dipstick at -50 then you can imagine what the 80 or 90W gear oil will be a hard grease block n the transmission which is why the engine stalls when you let out the clutch. I have a 69 Ford F100 with a 240 inline six that my Dad bought new and I learned to drive in. Still all original and runs well. As long as it was in a good state of tune and had a good battery, it would cold start at -35 to- 40 but that is pretty much as cold as it gets here in Manitoba, Canada. Much easier to just keep them plugged in! Keep up the good videos.

Watching this from Tucson AZ, its a blister 54f tonight and there calling for 71 tomorrow. God god that's impressive. Stay strong up there!

Awesome truck. I have a 67 and a 70, along with 2 2wds. Awesome trucks, that can't be hurt.

just imagine building the Alaska highway in the 40's lol poor men and and iron freezing to death .

Subscribed. Alot of people don't realize how brutal these temps are. Although I've never had -50 unless with windchill. Minus 40's aren't unusual here. Best starting diesel truck I've ever had was a military blazer with a 6.2 diesel. -42, crank right to life. No plug ins for the block heater in the bush. 24v starting system was the key there. But don't think the heat was ever going to work. And sitting at an idle, the thermostat would close again because there wasn't enough heat. As for best starting carb truck, a 73 Jimmy with a 250 six. Never let me down either. I always thought because the straight sixes had higher manifold vacuum than a V8 from the same era is what helped them start better. Pulls the mixture into the cylinders faster with less cranking was my theory. Now I've learned my lesson and I usually stay inside when its that cold unless I have to go into work. Nothing wants to work, vehicles made weird noises that make you think they wanna break in half, your tires stay square, things break easily, weird electrical gremlins show up etc etc Cheers

That’s a freaking awesome thermometer!

Coldest I ever started a vehicle in was -27. Was my 01 Ford Ranger. Started but made a few noises Id never heard before haha. This is some next level stuff. Can't even imagine -50.

Thank you so much for another very entertaining video that cold is no joke its amazing how long you had to bake it just to get it to fire and the gear oil wow, Have a very Merry Christmas to you and all.

I bet that oil pump rod coming off the distributor was crying for help turning oil that's about as thick as peanut butter. I've twisted a few off on old Y block engines

I just watched this entire video. I knew what was getting into, and still watched. Just to hear the truck start and warm up. It’s the little things.

Great video and even better old Ford. Thanks for sharing the cold adventure!

I grew up around 60s carbed vehicles , this would have been a real achievement then. Even more at the arctic Temps your facing

I like how your exhaust just comes out of everything on the truck.

Ha! -55 and “ it’s cranking a little weak”,. Yeah, I understand that! Those old fords ROCK!! Good show!👍🇺🇸❤️

I think the only reason that truck hasn't rusted away is because it's frozen solid 11 months of the year

I never experienced - 55 . I did own a 69 though . You need 2 tickets to a island near the equater for a few weeks . God Bless you young man . I'm to old for those Temps . Happy warm new year ✨️ .

That sassy old FE will warm every thing else up if given time. 🤟😎

Well we have severe winds and low single digits here in Wasilla, I believe you have the RU-vid temperature record for cold starts. Not many people can even challenge -40 below. Congratulations on a successful start.

As far back as the 60's Chev, Ford and yes Dodge were always startable, easily fixable and always got you there at any temperature. Turn the key on a lot of the new electronically controlled vehicles at -30 and all you likely will get is a check engine light. Merry Xmas

Love it ! >>>"We're going to do the right theing and start it!"

This was amazing. The whole thing.

Nothing better than a good cold Alaskan winter😜👊. Greetings from🥖🇫🇷 France

Heck yeah buddy! I appreciate the work and effort it took to get that high boy started in those temps. Negative 50? Too cold! I thought it was cold here in the low teens! Thanks for putting out content even in the harshest of environments. I watched this fro the comfort of my bed

super cool! thanks for making the video!

Almost no one wants to go out at that temperature. I've been outside working in the oil field at 54 below with the wind blowing and snow flying. As far as I'm concerned you are brave enough and bold enough to be outside even if the temperature was 15 below.

It’s -32°C here right now. This cold snap is supposed to break by tmro. Typical winter temps though really.

I'm surprised that the gas didn't freeze at -55 . 🥶

We were the same temperature in northern Alberta. Propane quit flowing to the house. My diesel pickup ran for 3 days straight. I needed to use my 1973 one ton chevy. It doesn't have a block heater. I did give it some heat with a Herman Nelson for about 30mins and it fired right up.

Love the comment about the lower 48 and their idea of cold.

I don't think anyone's topping this cold start

That was the most agonizing cold start I’ve ever seen, at some point I was actually there ready to freeze to death In order for the video to end😂