storing a truck for the winter

[Destroyer000]

well as some know i picked up a 2wd splash ranger.. its going to be my summer truck/project.. its that time of year that i dont want to drive it in the salt an what not.. thats why i have the 4x4 year round.. so i want to store it for the winter. i dont have a garage.. its going to be kept outside.. as of now i have it up on some grates. thats about it. what else should i do to protect it of the winter elements?

 

[JFA_Spyderman]

Yo,
How about a good truck cover?

 

[kunar]

i would fill the gas tank and add some sta-bil, change the oil and check your antifreeze for proper concentration. buy a fitted cover if you want. just over the winter shouldnt be a big deal, 4 months or so? maybe go out and start it every once in a while, let it idle till its to normal operating temp. and keep an eye on tire pressure. i let one get flat (it leaked slow) and now it will leak out in about 3 hours, i think it needs reseated.

 

[ZMan]

either a nice cover or one of those "portable garages", but make sure its strapped down really good so the wind doesn't blow it away.

 

[Destroyer000]

ya i bought the truck over the summer .. its in AWESOME shape.. been sitting for 4 years on pavement.. then i got it an have it sitting on grates in the yard.. its in need of a major tune up .... still have to do an oil change/ rad fluid change all that stuff plugs wires.. so i will be doing this in the spring.. as for those car covers.. i was thinking of one but iam a little low on cash at the moment.. we used to have a portable garage but we had a really heavy snow last year an it destroyed it.. i was thinking either leave it the way it is or maybe throw a tarp over it.. its got a tonneau so the bed will be free of debris

 

[JohnnyO]

I'd put some towels or sheets over it before the tarp so the tarp doesn't scratch it. As mentioned, add Sta-Bil, THEN go fill the tank so the Sta-Bil gas gets into the filter and EFI, pump the tires up to 40 psi. Change the oil. If it's sitting outside I'd remove the battery and not worry about starting it over the winter. Also since it will be outside, buy a bag of charcoal, lay it somewhere in the cab, and rip the front open. It will absorb moisture and keep it from smelling funny.
I put up my mother's and my son's cars over the winter, they're in a garage, so it's just Sta-Bil, pump the tires, and change the oil. Never a problem.

 

[Will]

DON'T run it during the winter. If you do that, the parts that get warm get condensation on them.

My outboard motor manual says to run fuel stabilizer in it for a little bit, then put a little oil in each cylinder with the plug out and slowly turn it over a few times by hand to coat they cylinders. Change the oil and let it sit. I like the charcoal idea. I've heard baking soda works too. That's what I use in my refriderator and gun safe.

Putting the frame on stands to keep the tires up and then letting most of the air out is probably better if it's staying outside. I would cover it if you have a breathable cover or let it sit if you don't.

 

[rickcdewitt]

i woulden't put anything but a garage roof over your truck besides the best of covers(expensive) because the constant chaffing from the wind WILL rub the paint off the corners of your truck.even if you get a 2-300$ cover you need to keep it tight so it won't flap

 

[Dishtowel]

I dont know about you guys, but the biggest issue for me is mice. They get everywhere, eat/chew everything and leave nasty smells. We have since bought a pail of mouse poision cookies, it's awesome stuff, they eat it, then go SOMEWHERE ELSE (thats the key part) to die. I love it, all the cabs on our equipment/vehicles are so much more pleasant the last 2 years.

As for storing in the winter, the most low budget IMHO is to not cover it, sweep the snowfalls off of it until you get a real nice snowfall, the nice light pretty type snow, and just let that insulate/protect it. I would change the oil before storing it, then take the battery out and leave it till spring. Checking the tires is a good idea too!

 

[rickcdewitt]

you're right i should have mentioned that a plate of "moth balls" (you know the stuff used to keep moths out of closets and stuff) in your truck and engine compartment will repel mice also.kind of stinks though.

 

[Will]

I leave the windows down in the cab I have stored--it's sitting under the Reading steel cap that goes on my Chevy. The cat sleeps in there.

No mice.

 

[bigspaceghost]

agree

These are god ideas for me to consider also since I am in the same boat with my new truck. And for me--I have been a bit worried about the mice issue. I am gonna put it up on jackstands & spray them down good with a can of PAM cooking spray.