1990 F150 5.0 4x4. I have my truck up here with me at college. Right now, it's about a week before Thanksgiving and its getting cold at night (30 F or so and getting colder). My truck has been pretty babied by me. I have repaired most everything so I don't really abuse my truck, except for it being dirty sitting in the gravel lot. I have a basic wrench set, emergency jack, screwdrivers, jumper cables, and fluids with me since I can't take all my tools. I use the truck primarily on weekends so it sits about a week or so between uses. It is in excellent mechanical shape. With the exception of a high idle (fixing it over break), it runs perfect. The drive-train is in great shape with a new differential, shift forks, battery, starter, and top end rebuild all in the last 5k miles. The last several winters, I drove it everyday (except in the salt) and had no starting problems. I wanted the truck here over the winter because only 1 other friend has a car. I was going to use the truck to go to ski, hockey games, the movies, etc. Since my school is off the highway, I do most all highway driving. The school does not run many shuttles and whatnot so transportation is on me. I have no garage or indoor storage over the winter. The frame, gas tanks, etc was painted with POR15 over the summer. I am on the fence about bringing it back for the winter. Is there a way I can winterize it to guarantee good starts every weekend? It starts good in less than 3 seconds now

 

I've never had a problem with my truck starting after it sits a long time. I had it sit for four months this past spring because I blew up the rear end, and when I fired it up again after I fixed it, it only took a second or 2 to start. As long as you keep her in good shape, you'll be alright.
I guess make sure everything is good and greased before winter, make sure your plugs and wires are good, and if you haven't changed your fuel filter ever, maybe think about changing that. Other than that, I don't know what to tell ya.

 

Make sure your battery is fresh is about the only other thing I could add. Is the place where your truck is parked close to school? If it is and you wanted to be more confident it would start when you needed it,you could always start it up during the week and let it run for a few minutes.

 

If you're going to be running it once a week, there's really nothing you need to do. Just try to run it a reasonable time/distance when you do. Running the engine for a couple minutes once a week will do more harm than good - it needs to get up to temp for some amount of time.

I'd be more concerned about having stand-by spares of the more common items that could fail and are easily replaced - I'd suggest...
1) Distributor w/ TFI
2) Coil
3) EEC Relay
4) Fuel pump relay
5) PCM

"Known good" junkyard parts are fine for all of this - that's what I carry.

 

Make sure you have a good battery more than anything. I try to get the higher end (without going to an AGM) battery if it's available. Needless to say, I avoid Wal-Mart batteries, I replace a fair amount of them at work. Also check your belt and tensioner, it's a simple yet critical thing that often gets overlooked. Check your freeze point and coolant condition, along with all the other fluids.

 

X2 on the coolant protection, please get a simple antifreeze tester and check the level of protection. A lot of folks think that straight antifreeze is what they need, but, read the label, check your radiator reading.

Also, fuel additive also helps with condensation in the tank.

 

Coolant was just changed and topped off recently. I feel like the STP additives for the winter are just snake oil. I'm going to give a fresh coating of grease on all the fittings. I may bring my battery charger with me so if the battery dies, I can charge it in my dorm like a real redneck. If I drive it weekly, the battery and gas should be fine. I think gas starts to deteriorate after sitting unmoved for 2 months or so so I'll be ok in that department. Now for that darn high idle......

 

Haha I rebuilt my snowmobile motor in my dorm when I was in college. Not having a garage sucks, but you gotta do what you gotta do. As far as getting the truck ready, you'll be fine. My truck gets driven primarily on the weekends as well, and we've been down near zero already, no issues. Good battery, no corrosion, normal weight oil, she'll start at -30. Below that, get a block heater.

 

I run 10W30 year round with good results. Plus the coldest I see it getting is around 15-20 F which isn't so bad.

 

Don't forget to treat your door locks and the inner workings of the doors to prevent them from icing up if you get freezing rain.

 

Thanks for reminding me. I forgot to do that recently. I'll get right on that

 

Pure awesome right there!

 

I use "Lucas Oil upper cylinder lube with injector cleaner"