How to store a truck

[sparks57]

Well, soon here I'm off to college. My dilemna now is what to do with my truck. I won't sell my baby, so I need to keep it... unfortunately I have nowhere to store it inside, so it needs to sit outside. What are some of the things to do when a truck is going to sit for months on end, including during winter?



I'll be back every time school gets out for vacation (Spring, Thanksgiving, Christmas Summer), so the longest it will sit is for a few months. I know you need to but it on blocks so you don't ruin the tires, and I will get a cover for it, and I figure it would be good if someone started it and let it run every once in a while... but what do i need to do for the engine, drivetrain, electrical etc. in preparation?



Thanks.

 

[Greenleaf]

Duno.....

I plan to allow the road salt to attack the FORD while the DODGE sets in the drive guarding the house. Suppose all that I'll do is park the thang and start it once-in-a-while on the not-so-cold-days. Hope to drive it till Thanksgiving then park her till March.



scott

 

[TSuter]

Not too sure, I'm in the service and usually out of the country for 3-6 months at a time. I've been just leaving the truck at work, haven't had any problems yet, except for a sticky brake cylinder once. If anybody has anything it would be great.



Tom

 

[cguthrie]

I'm actually leaving the country for a year and i'm just taking my pickup to my friends house and telling him to drive it about three times a month and i'll probably have him change the fluids a couple of times but i'm not gonna put mine on blocks. I figure if the tires go flat under the weight of the pickup i need to get rid of them. My pickup will be out of the weather in a shop though.



Chris

 

[hmickelson]

storing the diesel

I have not stored the 1993 D250 always take it with me but do store old 77 C20 and 84 MZB. Treat them both the same. Make sure the oil is fresh and the fluids are up then disconnect the battteries as there is always something that will discharge them. Upon returning I hook the battery charger for about 1/2 hour on each, hook em up and they both start right off. Of course the gas rig is slower to start than the diesel. They have sometimes set for up to 5 months. We don't have severe weather to contend with could always hook up the block heater on the MZB I suppose.

Good luck. hmickelson

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Putting it up on blocks for only 2 months is silly at best.

Disconnect the battery, make sure it is clean, fresh oil, check the antifreeze and leave it.

Starting it all the time and not driving it is not good as you will run the battery down in a short time.

 

[PPeters]

Just a thought...



Leaving them sitting for extended periods can play havoc with wheel seals, so getting the weight off or having someone move them periodically isn't such a bad idea.



JM2C



Pat