so this is going to be my first time storing my truck, so it isnt going to be driven for about 5 months or whenever all the salt is off the road.

im going to change the oil to mobil 1 full synthetic, clean the interior, fresh coat of wax, and disconnect the battery.


so what is on yalls check list that you do to store your vehicles?

any tips/advice is appreciated!

 

I purchased a battery tender for this year, Car cover even if its a cheap one. I also try to start mine once every couple of weeks. I got a set of factory wheels to store mine on this year so i can put my 20's in the basement. Oh and last year I had some mice make home under the hood......Becareful of that cause they could really do damage.

 

If you still have you old rims and tire put those on if not put it up on blocks so that the tires dont develop flat spots.

 

ive heard starting it just adds condensation to the oil since the motor isnt running long enough to burn it all off. i dont have any mice i dont think, maybe ill put some moth ***** in the garage or something.

does that still happen with radial tires??

 

Nope, not if you do it right. No matter what , disconnect The battery. The battery should never need a mender or re-charge. If so, toss it. Mines been in storage for 3 years. Use a GOOD oil, -Motorcraft or Castrol. Mobil 1 failed to many tests. Use spec, NOT full synthetic as that can create problems - NEVER change the oil in storage, there's absolutely NO reason. We have an oxygen free crankcase. Unless you modified that.

Run the vehicle on stands every 3 months in gear and @ cruising speeds. 10-15 minutes to burn off impurities. Keeps the bearings and seals from drying out and SAVES your trans from possible damage. If the trans starts leaking after two months (watch for that), then increase intervals to every two instead of three. Should be alright if you use GOOD fluids and not the brands that have failed wear testing in the past. I'd use the best for the trans, -Amsoil 100% synthetic. That's like miracle fluid for the trans.

Everything else should be fine.

Oh, when running the 4wd on jack-stands, make sure you have the stands as close to the wheel as possible or you'll blow the CV joint boots in a hurry.

 

I've never heard of storing a truck for the winter. That's the best time to have one

 

Just curious, I would wonder how much fuel he should leave in it. I'm guessing minimal, along with Stabil or something like that?

 

I store my mustang with a full tank of gas all winter most years I dont start it much at all for 6 months. Never had a problem and thats the only thing I do. My battery's gotta be 10 years old at least. it always fires right up..

 

Keep the fuel tank full, run some stabil through it just before you store it. That way it gets in the fuel lines. Obviously keep the tires properly inflated but I've never had a problem with the tires.

I was going to try a battery tender this year, it's been suggested to me by the classic car guys. Not sure if it really makes a difference or not but I find a lot of people think so. My truck doesn't get used a whole lot so when I know I may go at least a couple weeks without using it I disconnect the battery anyway.

Other than that I would just try to start it every so often.

 

The only things I do when I park my vehicles is cut up a chunk of irish spring soap (Moth ***** lose scent quick and the mice will come. Irish spring holds it scent for years), spread around the interior and a couple chunks in the engine bay and unhook the battery. Depending on how many vehicles I have insured and the amount of good batteries I have laying around the battery may make its way to another vehicle. I don't change oil, no fuel stabalizer, no blocks, just park it. At least a half tank of fuel to keep the fuel pump submerged though.

 

I usually clean her all up. Top off the tank, check fluids and such. Add a bottle of heet usually. And start her up for 5-10 mins weekly/bi-weekly. Never had an issue. My tires dont like the cold so being stored for 5 months, or two weeks in lower temps, they like to flat spot until they get warmed up from a short drive.

 

Full tank of gas with Stabil. Disconnect the battery or use a tender. Park it with the wheels on carpet squares.

 

theres no way im jacking my truck up and driving it on jackstands. that just sounds ridiculous.
Ill grap some sta bil and put that in a full tank then. my battery is only a month old, so it should keep its charge as long as its disconnected.

never heard of using a bar of soap! ill give that a try!
Do you think 8 pieces per bar would be big enough?

whats the purpose of the carpet squares?

 

Helps reduce flatspotting.

 

Tide dryer sheets, or tide washer detergent (the scoop in kind) that keeps the mice away. We had grandpa's 69 road runner parked in a corn crib with a cover on it, dryer sheets in the interior, and the detergent on the tires and around the car. no issues were had. Ever since ive gotten my dd's my truck has sat for long periods of time, i typically take it out once a month to keep it happy, and start it every other week. (im slightly ocd) i havent had any issue other than a mouse getting in the airbox. (didnt have the tide around it.) No flat spots on the tires, but i park in dirt floored buildings.