How to store your truck
 

Hello all!

I love the site, this is my first post and I'm hoping you all can help me.

I have a 1971 C10 (350) and won't be driving it for 6 months, possibly longer. I will store it in a garage but what things do I need to do to prepare it for some long-term storage?

Do I put it up on blocks?
Drain the fuel, oil, trans. fluid?
Disconnect the battery?

If someone had a good checklist of storage tips, that would be great.

Thanks so much everyone and I appreciate the great site.

Re: How to store your truck
 

Get the gas out of the tank and run the engine until the carb is dry. Modern gas is hell on carburetors when it sits for any real length of time. Barring that, try to use a fuel stabilizer of some sort.

Disconnect battery.

Re: How to store your truck
 

Thank you so much TX Firefighter. I'm new to being a classic truck owner and not all that familiar with many things involving repair and maintenance. So I have a question about your reply;

If I get the gas out of the tanks (I have 2) why would I need a fuel stabilizer?

I'm sure I'm missing something simple here, but thanks.

Re: How to store your truck
 

I guess my response is kind of confusing. I meant to say, get the gas out of the truck if you can. If you can't or don't want to (mobility of vehicle in an emergency for instance), just pour in some fuel stabilizer to the gas tank and run the truck to get it up into the carb.

Re: How to store your truck
 

Thank you, I get it.

Would you put it up on blocks to preserve the tires better?

Re: How to store your truck
 

Couldn't hurt, it'll keep the tires from going square on you.

Re: How to store your truck
 

Uphere in the cold north we regularly store our vehicles 6 or 7 months a year every year. I've been storing vehicles since the early 80's and all I've ever done is add fuel stabilizer and yank the battery for the Winter.

Re: How to store your truck
 

Thanks guys, I really appreciate all the help.

If any other storage tips come up, let me know.

Re: How to store your truck
 

Might want to put some mothballs,dryer sheets or whatever other rodent deterent in/around it.If the paint is nice wash it well and wax it.Even though it will be in a garage it never hurts to protect your paint.

Re: How to store your truck
 

great tip, thanks much!

Re: How to store your truck
 

Change the oil, old oil will contain acids and likes to do some pitting on your engine bearings.

Re: How to store your truck
 

Is there a danger to simply draining the old oil and NOT replacing it? Or is it best to store a truck full of new oil?

Thanks.

Re: How to store your truck
 

change it and only run it for a few seconds to get fresh oil to the bearings

Re: How to store your truck
 

Yeah, if you forget that you drained the oil and start it that is a real danger to your engine ;). I know it sounds dumb that you would forget something like this, but I've done it before. Once after I got done swapping an engine I went through my checklist of everything hooked up and all that. Then I started it up, luckily I forgot to plug in the MAF sensor so it died after running about 5 seconds, then I thought oh s### I forgot to put in oil! I filled it up with oil, plugged in the maf and it was all good.

Re: How to store your truck
 

good advice, thanks.