Hi everyone. It’s been crazy as I get ready for my wedding in a month. I finally washed my truck after 3 weeks or neglect. I haven’t had any time for anything. I have a question for you all on long term storage. There’s a chance we will be leaving the country to live abroad for 3 years. Would it be worth storing my truck so I have something to drive when I get back or just selling it? For storage what would I have to do to it for such a long period? I’m trying to weight the pros and cons of doing this. To me it seems like theres so much that could go bad jusy leaving it sitting for three years that it might not be worth it. What do you all think?

 

racerx..by all means I am not an expert on storing vehicles. But heres what I see you having to do and worry about. You would have to protect the engine in a way so the internalls dont sieze. I would suggest filling it with a synthetic. A friend of mine stored n engine for a while filled with a synthetic (i ofrget what he used) but after a few years it was still free and turned easily. You also have to sabilize the fuel system I would probably just pump out the fuel tank and let it stay dry. The fuel lines should be blown out. Even with a stabalizer in there it will gum up and turn to varnish after about a year or so. You will also have to put it up on blocks, this way you wont ruin your tires, by putting flat spots in them. It has been my experience that when things sit for extended periods of time, stuff goes wrong for no apparent reason. My biggest fear in this whole situation would be mice. Even if the truck is locked up in a secure building mice will get in there. They will eat everything in site, wires, insulation, carpet, you name it. I broke my ankle a few years ago and couldnt drive my 92 mustang GT. Stupid cast wouldnt allow me to hit the clutch. Anyway, it sat in my driveway and didnt move for a few months other than back and forth so I wouldnt put flat spots in the tires. I started it every week and let it run for a little while. Once I could drive it again , I opened the hood to check things out and there I found a huge nest right on top of the intake. The mice were living in there even while I was starting it up every week. Again, like I said, Im no expert but I would say sell the truck, save some cash and get a new one when you settle down. Good luck and have fun living abroad.

 

Thanks. I do live in the North East, where in the Winter a lot of mice find nice new homes in garages. I didn't think of that.

 

Ahh I see your in Ct. My brother lives up in Kent and he works in Danbury. I also have a lot of friends up there since I am originaly from NY.Im actually headed up there in two weeks for the weekend. Mice are a problem in the winter. Just something to think about. Maybe theres someone who could watch the truck for you and maybe use it once a week or something like that for you? I dont know, just rying to help out. I was in the same situation when I got shipped oversesa years back. I was gonna store my car 89 mustang LX 5.0, then I was gonna let my brother use it. I didnt want to let it go, It was the first brand new car I ever owned. But I just couldnt justify making payments on something I wouldnt be able to use for the next three years.

 

ship it to where you're going?

 

Beanhead - Can't. Tokyo, Japan isn't the place you want a F-150. Besides that the money it would take to get it there and register it. It would be an arm and a leg to get it leagal for Japan. I think I'm better off selling it. Banking the money and getting a new Mustang Cobra when I get back!

 

Now THAT would be a bad **** welcome home present....!