Different Strokes of Alaska

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Ralph Kristopher
7 months ago
This is an amazing repair shop specializing in Ford Diesel! I have an older rig with 277k miles that we need to keep a closer eye on and I have been a customer of Different Strokes of Alaska for many years. I tow a camper trailer with my 7.3 into the remote wilds around Alaska. I need to have a running, healthy and safe truck that I can count on and not leave me stranded. I can't speak highly enough of this shop, their staff has the most knowledgable and skilled mechanics in the state specializing in Ford diesel. The collected and specialized knowledge here is astounding especially since the mechanic that works on my truck was a mechanic at the Ford dealer when the 7.3 was introduced! They have a mechanic specializing in each diesel engine and truck Ford has put out on staff! I can do my own oil changes but when I bring my truck into Different Strokes they have a top level mechanic doing the oil changes, who with his experience and skill, inspects my truck at the same time as the oil change assuring that I stay safe and on the road ahead! If you have a Ford diesel in the state of Alaska this is The Shop!

  Will Gaston
a week ago
I pass at least 5 diesel mechanics to get here. Excellent customer service and staff has great knowledge and patience with people like myself who have owned gas powered trucks my whole life. Would HIGHLY recommend.

  Gerard Asselin
5 months ago
Was able to get an appointment when needed. Done on the same day I dropped it off. Great communication. Excellent customer service. These are examples of why I've been coming here for years and keep returning with my 22 year old diesel "baby!"

  Dennis Walker
3 months ago
Ron and his crew are experts when it comes to the Ford Super Duty Powerstroke and the only ones I trust to work on my truck. They give the customer repair options, recommend preventative maintenance and suggest upgrades when it makes sense.

  Glen Trombley
2 years ago
This team of diesel experts is quite simply top-notch. From the owner, to the front desk down to the technicians, you will be hard pressed to find another Ford diesel shop in the state of Alaska that compares. From customer service to mechanical knowledge. My small fleet of service trucks depend on it, and will never enter another shop as long as I own a Ford diesel. Thank you DIFFERENT STROKES . Glen Trombley SNOWMAN LLC

  Brian Jensen
2 years ago
They are the major local Ford PowerStroke and chassis subject matter experts (SME). Transparent plain language quotes. No additional fee for paying with CC. No extra hidden fees. Parts prices and labor commensurable with local prevailing rates. Fast repair turn around. Low stress environment. 2 year warranty. Great listeners. Organized and clean. Great location (expanding more shop space). Reputable local history. Recommended by Kendall Ford of Anchorage. Pro USA Vet long term career honorable mindset. Community minded. Investing in Alaska's future. Best Ford Super-Duty HD truck experts in Alaska (with PowerStrokes). Because of DSoA, the local market for Super Duties is stable, holding up used value, increasing life expectancy, reducing environmental green house carbon emissions & improving mileage, creating a stronger Ford truck aftermarket, maximizing return on investment, saving lives by inspecting older vehicles for safety. More used Ford trucks = lower cost alternatives during rising high inflation (micro chip shortage) newer Ford Super Duty supply constraints and reducing the amount of Ford trucks that are retired early ending up in landfills.

  Ben Matlock
11 months ago
They did an amazing job doing a tune up on my 1997 F250 7.3L. Saw 40% increase in fuel economy after just a tune up. They are very customer oriented and worked with me on my specific budget to focus on the most important repairs needed on my truck. Justin and his techs are top notch and their knowledge of these trucks beat any other shop.

  Frank P
2 years ago
Look, there is not enough characters to express the professionalism, knowledge, and saved my butt times with these guys. Great team over there. I ve been to other places and shops for repairs. Some good some really bad however, Different Stokes is my fleets home for maintenance and service because they have done what no other shop has been able to do, give me confidence in my vehicles! Breakdowns repairs are and can be costly. Frustrations are easily put on your mechanics, but at different strokes I know I won t spend twice as much to have it fixed again because I wanted to save 10 or 15% elsewhere. It will be done right the first time. Choose here first and save triple in the long run!!

  Matt Cope
2 years ago
Great place to take your Ford diesel needs, engine, suspension, engine diagnostics, oil changes, etc Friendly staff and great tech s.

  Rick Stafford
7 months ago
These guys are awesome. I took my wife's car in for an INTERMITTENT long crank, hard start problem. Problems that only happen occasionally, are very difficult to find as it is. The tech had to be thinking outside the box when he found the culprit part as it was something that seldom fails. Had this particular item completely failed, it would have stranded my wife, who knows where.Also, the bumper to bumper rebuild they did on my F350, well, my truck didn't run this good when it was new. Great work guys.

  Johnny Satterwhite
11 months ago
I work there as a Diesel technician. Ford Diesel pickups. 250s to 550s.Wonderful place to work. Wonderful customers. A few gas powered trucks come through. I'm one of the best truck mechanic's in the state, working at the best shop in the state.

  Christopher Hernandez
a year ago
The service and professionalism, care and concern that the Different Strokes of Alaska team puts forth is unbeatable and exemplary. My truck and my time, along with my money, are always well spent here and I consistently walk away with a truck that runs better and performs the way it should after visiting this shop. I will happily be a lifelong customer here and I look forward to the many years of service and care that Different Strokes of Alaska offers so flawlessly to each and every client they work with.

  John T
a year ago
Excellent people to work with. I was coming down from Fairbanks, and would be in town for just two days. Justin literally rearranged his schedule to get my truck in. His staff did great work and service on my F350, and answered all my questions.They are the experts when it comes to Ford Diesels. Highly recommend. If I lived in Anchorage I would use them every time. Justin is a fellow veteran. He runs an extremely professional business.

  Fred Marolf
2 weeks ago
The dealer couldn't get us in for 60 days. These guys had us up and running in 2 days

  Lawrence Friedrich
a year ago
We are on a 3 month Alaska/NW Canada trip from San Diego, CA. A few days ago we started hearing a high frequency squealing in the fuel filter area. I knew what it was because I just had the fuel regulator replaced with the blue spring upgrade and they did it wrong. I called 3 diesel service places in Anchorage and explained our situation. All said at least 2 to 6 weeks before they could even look at it. Then I called Different Strokes of Alaska. They were booked like everyone else. But then a man came on the phone and I explained our situation again. He said... "I am the owner Justin... Bring it in." We got it and another issue fixed same day! I am a retired engineer and Justin gave me a tour of his operations. I was director of 200 worldwide service engineers and I was sooo impressed. Well run and happy and skilled employees. Anyone who has a Ford diesel should do there service here. I almost wished we lived in Anchorage so we could... THANK YOU JUSTIN AND SARA!!!

  Ryan Parsons
a year ago
Had a friend borrow my 2003 F-250 to pick up some building materials from Anchorage. Long story short the truck made it to Anchorage but wouldn't start the next day. I told them to tow it to Different Strokes (that was the only diesel shop I had heard of in Anchorage.) The shop ran the codes and did diagnostics right away. They put a new fuel pump in it and sent them on their way back to Seward. I'll be taking the truck back to them for all future repairs and maintenance.

  mike carruthers
2 years ago
My trucks have loved visiting Different Strokes for the last 14 years and I think they're pretty OK too. "The difference is in our service" is an understatement of how they take care of vehicles and their owners. You might walk in the door as a customer, but when you leave you will walk out as part of the family. Absolute professionals, friendly, extremely knowledgeable and tirelessly resourceful in finding what your truck wants or needs in a timely manner and reasonable price. Give them a call, your truck will thank you.Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Vaughan Hagen
a year ago
Highly advise against this shop. Came for the good reviews however just constantly "new" things that need to be fixed. Came in for overall check to see what work needs to be done on new vehicle and to get brakes fixed. Get a handful of things listed and brakes are adjusted. Get home and makes weird noise immediately. Bring it back and has more things that need to be fixed. Get it taken care of bring it home new noises. Whole front end needs to be fixed and when I pick it up they tell me brakes are shot and need to be fixed.. the brakes you fixed less than 100 miles ago? I'm putting nothing wear and tear wise on this and original diagnosis was looks like an awesome rig tip top shape. Open the hood and there a socket just chilling in the engine compartment and screws everywhere. Did they not even put it all the way back together? Beyond frustrating and expensive. Just gonna sell the rig and cut my losses.EDIT/RESPONSE: Definitely -was- a customer. Vincent Hagen. Ford E350 diesel van. Thanks though.

  Shawn O'Fallon
2 years ago
What stands our for me is the pride they take in their work. The owner, I think he is the owner or general manager, is a complete Ford diesel geek, and I write that as a serious compliment. I am not but I know I can take my truck in and get taken care of. Don't know if their prices are higher or not. I am willing to pay more knowing I can trust them to do good work. Good customer service and pride in work well done beats cheap, uncaring work any day.

  Abe Frohammer
4 years ago
I had a great experience with Different Strokes compared to my experience with other repair places for my F350. I only had to wait a week to get an appointment, which compared to Kendall Ford's 2 month wait is a bargain. My vehicle was immediately seen and diagnosed within an hour. Sadly they are not authorized to do warranty work, and I was informed that only the Ford dealerships can do this. Considering how efficiently they diagnosed my problem and how they actually cared about me paying out of pocket, It would be in Ford's best interest to align with repair shops like this to handle their warranty work. If 2 months is your average lead time for appointments, it is clear that another solution is needed and allowing a shop like different strokes that diagnoses quickly and actually communicates to help with the workload seems reasonable. I will certainly go back to this shop for all my repairs or issues given the great experience I had with them initially.

  Roger Smith
3 weeks ago
Fantastic outfit. Great staff and work. Highly recommend.

  Lewis Bradely
3 years ago
I have a 2006 Ford F-350 diesel that at 90,000 miles began sucking collant into the engine and burning it at the rate of a gallon every 35 miles. The fix was an R&R Turbo clean and installation of a Bulletproof EGR Cooler, a new oil cooler, complete coolant flush, and oil pump install. Immediately I drove to Utah and returned pulling a 24' trailer loaded with 10,000 lbs. The truck performed flawlessly. Most diesels are driven on short runs which for my particular engine developed another issue of stretching the bolts requiring major work to replace and equally as expensive as the other work done. However, I was told that this was not an issue with my truck since I had driven it mostly on long hauls. I appreciate their honesty. Recently I have been needing the truck during the winter, so I had Different Strokes install an engine heat heater cord, oil pan heater, and transmission heater since living in Alaska is hard on diesel starts in sub temps. Again they were honest, telling me that the engine heater plug cord was there already. Each time the work was accomplished in a timely manner. I was also impressed with Alex, their female coordinator that handled my needs. On the last more simple visit, I sat in their waiting room where I overheard two hours worth of her communicating with mechanics and customers coming into the shop, discussing potential technical issues with vehicles in question. I am not knowledgeable in this field, but I could tell by the conversation that she knew her stuff and was confident, plus she is rather young. I asked her how she knew so much about such a field, and she said that the Boss that hired her 9 years earlier, had spent 8 years grooming her. I am extremely happy with the work done and the professional and friendly atmosphere.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Battery

  MCGA
a year ago
Very professional and experienced crew. I have taken 2 of my older Ford diesels there for years and they have done a great job keeping them serviced, finding outdated parts, or giving options to keep them running.

  Jim Dickens
3 years ago
Had some major repairs done on my 06 F350 (6.0) and had it bulletproof. Excellent service, top quality work and reasonable prices. Truck runs better then it did new. Thanks to the great team of folks there. Super professional. Highly recommend them.Services: Transmission, Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine tuning, Engine repair, Brakes, Oil changeServices: Transmission, Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine tuning, Engine repair, Brakes, Oil change

  John Stauffacher
6 years ago
Ford diesel knowledge, accurate troubleshooting and integrity all combined makes one awesome shop! Alex takes customer service above and beyond! She has stayed hours after closing to get me parts I needed when my truck was down. More recently she assisted in the recovery of my stolen truck, even FaceTiming me after it was towed to their shop to let me see the condition. All my friends with Ford diesels go here too! Lucky to have a shop like this in Anchorage.

  Chris O
3 years ago
I had great difficulty finding someone to work on our power stroke diesel driven class c camper. None of the automotive shops I called would work on it, either due to it being a: a camper, or b: a diesel.I finally got ahold of Different Strokes of Alaska and they kept interrupting my explanations with we can schedule you in this week !It took a few minutes for it to register with me that they were willing and able to help me despite all the reasons everybody else had to NOT help me.Along with all my Initial failed efforts to get the engine worked on by others, It was in limp mode and blowing black smoke, plus I was convinced the glow plugs needed replacing due to hard starting when cold. I had a multitude of speculative diagnoses built up like turbo failure or waste gate issues and so on, which I kept trying to explain to the service writer at Different Strokes, and I felt a bit put off by his repeated insistence that yes, it could be that, but we will do our own thorough diagnostics testing and let you know what it REALLY is. So I made my appointment.They clearly could have taken me to the cleaners and done all kinds of extra work based on my speculation and lack of knowledge... and I was expecting a bill totaling several thousand bucks and a weeks worth of work.however, they quickly called and advised me it was a simple relay that needed to be changed, and recommended an oil change which I gladly approved, the total bill was a fraction of what I expected! And it was done in a single day! AND, it completely fixed my problem!I can t say enough about their integrity, quality, fairness of pricing, and expertise! Anchorage Powerstroke owners are so fortunate to have a business like this in their midst!Services: Electrical repair, General repairs & maintenance, Electrical, Auto engine diagnostic, Engine repair, Oil change

  Alex Vandermolen
5 months ago
These guys are fantastic. They know their stuff and are extremely helpful. I can t speak highly enough about them.

  Alexandria Kate Baxter
9 years ago
Different Strokes is amazing, I had a truck(6.0) brought to them for a buyers inspection they saved me THOUSANDS of dollars! I didn't know the extent of repairs needed or cost related to those repairs on this truck. Well worth the $230!! The detail that they go into is well worth it, glad I didn't get stuck with a lemon of a vehicle. All thanks to Ron and his crew!!! If I had just bought the truck without the buyers inspection I could have just financed a new truck and been money ahead!! Thanks so much Different Strokes!!!!

  Craig. G Lisonbee
2 weeks ago
Great place to get Ford trucks fixed

  kumiwanakilya00
9 months ago
My 1992 f350 was brought here when the insurance was repairing it. They did a good job sooo yeah if I need a repair shop I think I'll stop by on my own