Letting my truck sit over winter.

[koda6966]

Anything I should know about when doing this?

Basically, I'm going to put it up on my hill with a tarp underneath it for a vapor barrier. No idea what I'll do for the top side. I was thinking another tarp covering it, but that could lead to trapping in moisture, yes?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Mine sits in a tin shed with a dirt floor and a raging river running between the wheels when it rains whenever I am not driving it (I only drive it on weekends)

It has been parked there everynight for 8 years, 5 with this schedule of sitting throughout the week and so far it is still really clean for a '85. I say if you want to park it, park it and don't worry about it... maybe put it on blocks to take the weight off of your tires would be about it.

 

[daniel3507]

breathable car cover maybe?

 

[sniper141]

I have had my truck in my dad's shed with concrete floor and I just parked it and she popped right off when I got back 2 years later for leave from Europe in February in MN!!! The biggest thing is disconnecting the battery and getting an oil change right away of she will sledge on ya and cause a crap load of trouble!!

 

[odie1969]

well it being summer now I would kinda not worry about the winter now. But I deff. would not start it once a week due to the fact that you are going to warm the motor and then shut it down. Doing this it will cause a moister build up. So if you think about tarping it over you might think of buying a portable car cover thing from Harbor freight.

 

[exbass94]

Don't just put a plastic tarp over it. It will leave fine scratches all over the truck. You can cover it with a bunch of soft blankets and sheets and then throw the tarp over that though.

 

[Nhaz]

use a fuel stabilizer if you plan to let it sit for more then 3 months. gas goes bad. gums up everything. running some fogging oil through the engine isn't a bad idea either.

 

[graff104]

use a fuel stabilizer if you plan to let it sit for more then 3 months. gas goes bad. gums up everything. running some fogging oil through the engine isn't a bad idea either.

+1 fuel stablizer is exactly what I would do. I would double check the antifreeze also.

 

[RustedRanger]

Also make sure the top of the battery is clean. Even if you unhook it,sometime voltage can travel through the junk/dirt on the battery and kill it. I read this somewhere. I agree with the fuel stabilizer very much. Now with the stuff they put in gas it goes bad very quickly and turns to a wax like junk in a short time. Maybe some mouse/rat bait would be a good idea also. Twice this summer I have started the mower to have mouse nest go blowing out where the stupid mouse made a nest in the top of the motor,thankfully no chewed wires

 

[JohnnyO]

Don't just put a plastic tarp over it. It will leave fine scratches all over the truck. You can cover it with a bunch of soft blankets and sheets and then throw the tarp over that though.

That, some Sta-Bil in the gas tank and run the engine a bit to get the stabilized fuel into the filter and injectors. Pump the tires up to 40 psi. I'd take the battery out and keep it in the house. If you want to be picky, buy a bag of cheap charcoal, lay it on the seat or floor, and rip the front open to absorb moisture.

 

[fastpakr]

You might even consider putting it on jackstands or something else to prop it up and pull the tires (although overinflating them should work fine as well if they don't leak).

 

[baxtej44]

i agree with just putting it on blocks... charcoal on the inside

high quality cover
rat traps
tune up before
fuel stabilizer

basically you want to prevent things from happening


make a list of possible things that could happen (sitting too long, but also don't forget the cold)


should he slightly crack a window? or no? i guess it depends on if it's going to be parked outside.

 

[97rawr]

My checklist has some parts that already have been said but...

Clean it. DUH!

Fuel stabilizer to prevent the gasoline from breaking down. Also relieve pressure from the fuel lines.

Change oil and filters.

Towel between wipers and windshield to prevent them from becoming attached. More for summer months.

Remove battery and clean all connections.

Jacking it up is a good plan. Over winter though, flat spots may not be a problem.

Plug/block tail pipe to prevent them mice from making a home out of it. Just remember to remove it.

Then, COVER. I agree with the plastic tarp scratching the paint. I always just use one meant for vehicles.

Then sit back and enjoy a beer.

 

[Mac]

I've had mine sitting outside, unprotected during the Winter for several years. I do go out and start it every two weeks, let it run till it's warn to burn off any moisture, move it forward and back a couple of feet to get the lube moved around, engage the transfer case if you have one, use the brakes. Anything sitting static is usually not good, all the seals need lube, things need to move. Think even the drivers manual tells you to at least engage the transfer case once a month even if you don't need it, same goes for the AC during the Winter. I would do most of the things mentioned above for a long term storage but not just for Winter. How long is your Winter out there? Bet you get some nice days in Jan or Feb where you'd like to take it out.
Dave

 

[koda6966]

Plug/block tail pipe to prevent them mice from making a home out of it. Just remember to remove it.

Funny thing about them mice. I put on a new muffler I had sitting in the garage for a while. When I started the truck it blew out some mouse nest, and I revved it a few times and another one came out. Driving down the road I watched about three blow out in the rear view. Damn things had a colony going on. Good thing it didn't catch my truck on fire.