Long term storage advice for 1993 Ram 250?

[billyO]

Hello all. I was just diagnosed with a medical condition that will prevent me from driving for at least the next 6 months. I'm wondering what I need to do to the above mentioned 5.9L diesel (with 396K miles) to ensure that it will be able to continue to be my daily driver (and reach 500k) when I'm cleared to drive again. Unfortunately, I don't have a garage, so it will be outside.
From what I've read, I should fill the tank and put in a bottle of fuel stabilizer; put dessicant packs in the cab to reduce moisture/mildew (although I live in the foothills of Mt Rainier on the wet side of the Cascades, so not sure how much this will help...); unplug the battery and put bounce sheets under the hood to keep the rodents out (although my outdoor cats will probably help with this.) Anything else?
Also, I've read that some folks suggest taking it on a 20-30 mile drive to heat up te engine every once in a while to burn off any condensation. Would letting it idle for 30-60 minutes every couple of months be a good idea?
Thanks in advance
~billyO

 

[DVolk]

Id fill the tank and use fuel stabilizer id also put a can of 2 stroke oil to add some lube to fuel for the pump ,change the oil ,id also put moth balls and maybe one of those Drieze in the cab , id also if you can keep it pkugged in and fire it up once in awhile ,also a battery tender to keep the batt up do that and you should be fine

 

[Killer223]

6 months? i don't think i'd do anything but fill the tank. if that even.. batteries maybe on a tender or small windshield solar panel. park it facing away from the sun. cover seat with towel or sheets. it'll be fine.
if it were several years.. then the adative and all other options.. but this short time... it'll be fine.

 

[billyO]

Thanks for the replies.
I talked with folks at Cummins and they recommended filling the tank and adding a fuel stabilizer to avoid moisture condensation due to probable temperature fluctuations, and an oil change to avoid corrosion from acids that build up due to oil breakdown with use. They said not to plug in the heater core because it won't do much during storage and to minimize the risk of burning out the heating element. They also said firing it up and idling or driving (not an option for me) for 20-30 min to get the engine up to heat and burn off any water/condensation once every 4-6 weeks isn't a bad idea.
Killer- I like the idea of parking it in the sun, but like I said, I live in the wet side of Washington, and we can only rely on seeing sunshine from June-September.
Again, thanks for the replies, and have a safe and happy holiday season.
~billyO

 

[DVolk]

If a guy had the $$ you could get one of those instant car garages and put it in there

 

[DINDID]

One issue with long term storage that plagued original owners that only used their trucks as tow rigs is the steering box seal will start leaking if not exercised every so often. Longest mine has sat dormant was 30 days without incident. Suggest you light off and bump the wheel a bit to avoid that. Early TDR issues had that info in them.

 

[nick05]

i wouldn't sweat it. i store mine as soon as salt hits roads and then don't touch it til spring. mine also sits outside under a canopy tho but i just try to wash it, fill tank helps but i know i've left it at a quarter a few years, unplug battery, thro moth balls under hood and leave it alone.
i don't start mine just for the fact it's harder on to start in winter temps and idling won't do much.
been doing this for years.
spring rolls around charge up battery and she fires up in half a crank.

 

[Motorhead]

Don't start it and just let it idle or run without a load. A diesel combustion chamber won't get hot enough with no load on it. Fill the tank full, do an oil change and do what you need to keep the critters out. I would highly recommend parking it on a p piece of black plastic that is a bit longer and a bit wider than the truck IF you can't park it on concrete or asphalt driveway. The plastic will keep the moisture from the dirt evaporating up under the truck. Hope you get well in the time needed.