Storing A Truck

[UltraBlue71]

I have to store my 71 LWB for 3-4 years, (going overseas for another long tour)does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do to my truck prior to slamming the storage unit door? Stabil wont last that long so a complete fuel tank drain is in order I imagine, should I drain the antifreeze too? What about engine oil other fluids, etc? Put it up on jackstands? I was just trying to make as little work as possible for myself when I get back and get to use it again.

[big_al_71]

This is what I would do:

Put synthetic oil in the motor....
Put the truck on jackstands.....
Drain all the fuel.........
Put a cover on it........
Make sure your insurance is paid in full just if something happens....

[Hottrucks]

I think if I was to store it that long I would fog the motor like it was a boat motor this will coat the holes with a layer of oil to keep them clean might even crack the valve cover and loosen up the rockers to get the load off springs
take out the battery
get a bag of dry pellets (the stuff they put in your pill bottles only bigger)
steel wool the tail pipe
speedy dry piles in the corners
plastic sheet on the floor

[highperf4x4]

Drain the fuel
Make sure the coolant is full with proper antifreeze
Disconnect the battery
Put the truck up on stands
Let all but 15lbs or so out of the tires and smear some silicone on the sidewalls.
Hit your interior with something that will last a while like Meguiars.
Close it up tight and put a cover over it.

You may end up having to replace some items like the master cylinder, shocks, or anything with a rubber seal in it if this isn't stored in a "climate controlled" enviroment and any of these parts have some age on them. You will figure that out though after you start driving it again. You don't need to mess with the oil until you get back. I'd change it before you drive it though.

[cdowns]

i'd put a really heavy coat of wax on the truck in addition to wats already been listed

[mclairmo]

Hermetically seal it in a large plastic bag. Or, let someone you trust keep it until you get back on the condition that he or she drives it and maintains it.

[PanelDeland]

Dryer sheets or something like them.Even good storage places have a few rats/mice and you want to keep them out.

[UltraBlue71]

Thanks all, as usual, terrific responses! I would have never thought of the steel wool or letting pressure off the valve springs.

mclairmo I'd loan out my only daughter before I'd loan out my truck for four years! J/K

[UltraBlue71]

Thanks all, as usual, terrific responses! I would have never thought of the steel wool or letting pressure off the valve springs.

mclairmo I'd loan out my only daughter before I'd loan out my truck for four years! J/K

[texanidiot25]

My neighbor tells me to spray WD40 down the intake with the truck revved up until it stalls. Helps prevent inner rust? Who knows if there is merit to it, but that was his suggestion.

[unclewatts]

The one suggestion that I think would be most important would be to drain the float bowls in the carb. That gas goes bad too. I would also grease all my suspension fittings before storing just for good measure.

[highperf4x4]

Originally Posted by texanidiot25

My neighbor tells me to spray WD40 down the intake with the truck revved up until it stalls. Helps prevent inner rust? Who knows if there is merit to it, but that was his suggestion.

Actually that's a bad idea. WD40 will scrub the cylinders and rings clean and makes them rust faster. You need to use a fogging oil if you're going to do it. You can pick some up at a boat shop.

[highperf4x4]

Originally Posted by cdowns

i'd put a really heavy coat of wax on the truck in addition to wats already been listed

That's a good idea!

[Longhorn Man]

if you put it on jackstands, do it where the suspention is loaded, not unloaded.
I would do the synthetic oil BEFORE storage
tape or steel wool over the tail pipe AND over the snorkle on the air filter
leave antifreeze in it
moth balls on top of the engine, in the cab, under the truck on the floor, on the frame rails
if it has nace paint, cover the whole thing with a nice soft car cover, or moving blankets
Sta-bil will work for 4 years, seen it done myself. personally I would fill it up and put the sta bil in there, then dump it all out before starting. The fuel will displace the humidity in the air and prevent rust.
dont spray WD in the motor.

[Average Joe]

These are all great ideas. I'd never have thought of half of them. The only thing I would add is to make a list of everything that was done prior to your daparture and post in a very conspicuous place. Perhaps attatched to the steering wheel?

[highperf4x4]

Oh, one more thing. Take your wipers off.

If you're going to fill the tank and add the stabil then make sure you drive it around a little bit before you park it. Otherwise the fuel in the lines and carb will not be stabilized.

[texanidiot25]

Originally Posted by highperf4x4

Actually that's a bad idea. WD40 will scrub the cylinders and rings clean and makes them rust faster. You need to use a fogging oil if you're going to do it. You can pick some up at a boat shop.

Damn old guy.

[highperf4x4]

Originally Posted by texanidiot25

Damn old guy.

hey, I'm just sayin.....................

[mclairmo]

Originally Posted by UltraBlue71

Thanks all, as usual, terrific responses! I would have never thought of the steel wool or letting pressure off the valve springs.

mclairmo I'd loan out my only daughter before I'd loan out my truck for four years! J/K

Yeah, I feel the same about my 67 Camaro but my truck is a driver. I would not mind loaning my 68 C10 to someone I really trust, which happens to be only my dad.

[UltraBlue71]

Originally Posted by Average Joe

These are all great ideas. I'd never have thought of half of them. The only thing I would add is to make a list of everything that was done prior to your daparture and post in a very conspicuous place. Perhaps attatched to the steering wheel?

Good Call! Especially with my memory,
This is how it would have happened.....
Sometime in 2014-
hmmmm why wont this damn thing start (no batt, gas,)
Why does it smell like mothballs in here? (they are everwhere)
Whats that sticking out of the tailpipe? (steelwool)
Why does my motoer have so much valvetrain noise? (no oil)
Why wont my truck go (its on Jackstands)

Anyway you all are great, I really wanted to come back to ID after my year in Korea, but the Family really wanted to go see Europe before I retire, so UK it is, lots of board members from there, maybe I Ought to bring it along! instead of my Suburban, I wonder if they would let me haul kids in the back? Doubtful....

[Ackattack]

Might want to see about some moisture absorbant stuff for the cab. Get it at an RV supply place.

[67chevemall]

Corona bottles in the tail pipes!
Keep the mice out

[67sss]

buy a bag of bbq bouquets, regular type, put any where you want no moisture, as they suck up moisture. Try em in your tool box to, if it's stored or used in a place where moisture is...and here in washington state we have a little moisture.