Long Term Vehicle Storage

[Archive]

Okay, I've procrastinated long enough. I will be leaving to go overseas shortly and am looking for any tips on long term storage. Any ideas out there? What I have so far is a good truck cover and wheel covers.
-Should I leave it with a full tank of fuel?
-Would it be a good idea to put jack stands under the axles to take the weight off the tires?
-Any suggestions on keeping little critters out of the engine compartment and from inside the cab and bed? (Will mothballs help?).
-Any other ideas out there?
The truck will be is southern California and probably stored on a dirt/gravel surface. It will be stored for six months. #ad

Thanks in advance for any help.

PS- Hope this is in the right post as I can't afford a 5 hp penalty!


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1999 2500Quadcab LB, 4x4, Forest Green, Automatic,4. 10 anti-spin, 241HD Transfer Case, Trailer & Camper Group w/towing mirrors. Options added so far- K&N Air Filter, Mopar Aluminum Nerf Bars, Pace Edwards Rolltop Cover, Pop & Lock tailgate lock, Rhino Bedliner, Husky Front & Rear Floor Liners... more to come

 

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Run a biocide additive in your truck to keep algae from growing in the diesel, and definitly top off the tank.
I wouldn't worry about the jack stands.
Go for the mothballs in the engine compartment. Rats WILL get in there and chew up the wiring #ad
Don't know why they like it so. They get in the gasser C60 peanut hauling trucks around here when they're in storage and completly eat away the plug wires.

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95 2500 SLT Laramie 3. 54, automatic,Herculiner bed liner, JVC cd out of factory infinity system, southwest grill gaurd (a favorite amongst the deer population), K&N, AFC adjusted, dual straight exhaust out of "gutless" cat, Geno's dual EGT/boost gauge, TST #6 plate slid all the way forward, AFC housing slid all the way forward, silencer ring removed
"Layin' the 'SMOKEDOWN' on their ROOdy Poo CANDY GASSERS!"

 

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I would fill your tires to at least max pressure, so they won't develope flat spots. I would definitly disconnect the batteries. I would also plug the tailpipe. I do not know what kind of cover you have, but if it traps moisture, your paint will suffer. Also in high winds, movement of the cover may cause paint damage. This will be compounded by dust getting under it. When you start for the first time on your return, do fake starts with proper(?) wire disconnected to allow pre-lube.

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2001 2500 ETH/DEE Blk/Agate 4x4 QC LWB SLT+ 3. 54 LSD, Every option except Snow Plow and Cab Lights. 12000 lb Warn Winch and all the right gear.

[This message has been edited by Salvo (edited 06-22-2000). ]

 

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slowneasy, this is a bit over the top but I have a 340 Duster that I've had forever, after doing a restoration 10 years ago, this is what I do between drives (2 or so a year).
Buy a roll of 6 mil black plastic, unroll about 20' drive the Duster onto it, air the tires up to 50psig, add a fuel additive, in your case a biocide like danandme suggested, remove the battery (and keep charged), then cover the car with two soft bed spreads, then the car cover, then unroll more plastic and cover the car to the back with more of the same long uncut piece of plastic, next, using a lot of duct tape, tape the edges of the plastic together, winding up with a big bag that the car is now in. Then go to an area that is under the car, make a small hole, put the shop vac to the hole and pull as much air out as possible, then using more duct tape, seal the hole up. When I unpack the Duster (up to 6 months later) it's just as I left it. There is a company that makes car storage bags for this purpose, you might go to Hemmings or do a web search and find them, don't know if they make one big enough for the Ram though.

By the way, I do this in my shop, don't know that I'd do it in the open, however if I had a open shed (out of the sun to avoid ultraviolet damage to the plastic and reduce heat) I might give it a try.

 

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Well there is plenty of room at my house, but you have to leave the keys #ad
#ad


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99,2500,qc,SLT,black,4wd,35Klb gooseneck hitch, K&N airfilter, 265/75/16 BFG ATko's

 

[Archive]

SLOWNEASY, I not that far, could pick it up for you and keep it safe at my house (keys required). Will only drive it only on weekends (only time I get home). That way all your problems are taken care of (xcpt miles added feature). No need to store, add additives, lose battries, etc. You drive it to my place and I drive you back (in mine) then I pick you up when you get back from TDY (with yours - so it gets new fuel, oil change, etc). New Mexico dry air is good for it (might even arrange a garage for it).
#ad
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!!!!

SOTSU!!
\\BF//

p. s. you could "catch" a hop out of Kirtland AFB and return same way. (HEHE)
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"Drifty" y2k SLT L. E. 2500QC/SWB/5sp/3. 54LSD/bed spray/camper/tow/fogs as DRL's/3rd Brake flasher/hr mtr/altr isolator/Mag-Hytec/Ball valve oil drain/CB/25. 5k hitch/NO muffler&resonator(STOLEN?)-3" replacement w/chrome tip/Nerf bars/E-Brake/etc. 25k+ 8. 5 mos (NW Punk is gonna beat me!)
Not Stroking, BUT, RAMming it Home! SOTSU! aka \\BF//

[This message has been edited by Ben Stair (edited 06-22-2000). ]

 

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Hey there Tony & Ben, I might take y'all up on your generous offers on one condition. That y'all BOMB my truck for me, which includes but not limited to: TC, Valvebody, BD Exhust Brake, The Edge, DDII's, Reunel front & rear bumpers, Mickey Thompson Rims w/BFG MT's, etc... . #ad
#ad
#ad
!!!

Thanks for y'alls help so far, good ideas that had gone over my head.

 

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I'll do the "bombing" for u, BUT, the storage fees just went to 100$ per day!!!!

SOTSU!!
\\BF//