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I like the idea of a sock over the exhaust tip except I think that an opportunistic mouse would just use the sock material to furnish his new home. I used to stuff a wad of steel wool in the exhaust tip and never had any problems.
You know I did that also, now that you mention it.
Being a car guy and living in NH, I've winter stored numerous cars over the years.
Not sure of the material the Ford gas tank is made of, but if it's metal, a main reason to store it full of fuel is to prevent corrosion in the tank. This also prevents water from condensing in the tank. And I've always used Stabil.
As for the tires....again, I'm used to cars with smaller tires compared to trucks, but to keep them from flatspotting, you should either put the truck on jackstands, or, like many people (including me), overinflate them and forget about the jackstands.
Steel wool in the exhaust keeps the mice out.
Trickle charger.
In 35 years of winter storing cars that cost many times what my truck does, this is all I've ever done and have never had any issues.
From a lifetime of using a lot of seasonal power equipment, outboard motors, atvs, snowmobiles, and other items that have gasoline engines I have a lot of experience. Also, I have sometimes stored my own vehicles and have been responsible to help my parents and in-laws with stored vehicles. I will say that I would never again use Sta-bil or Stabil. Seafoam on the other hand is absolutely wonderful. I use it in everything that has only occasional use or will be stored for a season. Additionally I add it to fuel when I am unsure when the last use will be so it gets worked through the fuel system. For example in a boat, around August 15 I add Seafoam to every tank fill up. Plus, it cleans the fuel system along the way. That way there is no concern about winterizing the fuel system whenever I stop using it. In one outboard motor on a fishing boat with which we do quite a bit of trolling, I use Seafoam year around. Whenever I have pulled the plugs they are as clean as new. Whenever I get gasoline in fuel storage cans, I add Seafoam. That way it is ready to be used in anything.
I have had some equipment where fuel system components have been ruined by the alcohol / ethanol in gasoline. The fuel lines, carburetor parts, and even fuel tank caps have been dissolved. A new large gas station and convenience store was built nearby that sells “Recreational Gasoline” that contains no alcohol / ethanol. Ever since that has been available to me, I have used it in all small engine power equipment, outboard motors, and atvs. They all seem to run even better and have slightly more power.
From a lifetime of using a lot of seasonal power equipment, outboard motors, atvs, snowmobiles, and other items that have gasoline engines I have a lot of experience. Also, I have sometimes stored my own vehicles and have been responsible to help my parents and in-laws with stored vehicles. I will say that I would never again use Sta-bil or Stabil. Seafoam on the other hand is absolutely wonderful. I use it in everything that has only occasional use or will be stored for a season. Additionally I add it to fuel when I am unsure when the last use will be so it gets worked through the fuel system. For example in a boat, around August 15 I add Seafoam to every tank fill up. Plus, it cleans the fuel system along the way. That way there is no concern about winterizing the fuel system whenever I stop using it. In one outboard motor on a fishing boat with which we do quite a bit of trolling, I use Seafoam year around. Whenever I have pulled the plugs they are as clean as new. Whenever I get gasoline in fuel storage cans, I add Seafoam. That way it is ready to be used in anything.
I have had some equipment where fuel system components have been ruined by the alcohol / ethanol in gasoline. The fuel lines, carburetor parts, and even fuel tank caps have been dissolved. A new large gas station and convenience store was built nearby that sells “Recreational Gasoline” that contains no alcohol / ethanol. Ever since that has been available to me, I have used it in all small engine power equipment, outboard motors, and atvs. They all seem to run even better and have slightly more power.
What kind of problems did you have with Stabil?
I've used it for probably 35 years in not only the typical power equipment, but also some very expensive cars that get stored over the winter.
Damn, now you've got me all paranoid!! Hahaha
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