Long-term vehicle storage?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 100
Likes: 2
From: Anchorage, Alaska
Long-term vehicle storage?
I’m trying to ask around for people’s quality opinions regarding long term storage for a new 2003 F-150 Lariat with a 5.4L Triton, if that makes a difference. I have tried to contact Ford an ask them, however I can’t get past the information guy who is suppose to know everything at Ford’s “800” number.
I consider long term (garaged) storage for six months without moving or starting the vehicle. Would it be a wise idea to have someone start the vehicle once a month and bring it up to operating temperature, and drive it a few feet to move all of the parts around?
Or should I just let it sit for six months and have it start dry once upon my return from Asia? I have already taken the insurance off of the vehicle, and don’t intend to drive it until next spring. One guy has told me to put it up on jack stands and just leave it as it is. He said that the oil isn’t going to start to eat up the seals like someone else has told me, and to just stop worrying about it!
So I thought that I’d run this by you guys because I can’t think of a better place to post this question. I always respect your serious opinions.
Best regards,
John
I consider long term (garaged) storage for six months without moving or starting the vehicle. Would it be a wise idea to have someone start the vehicle once a month and bring it up to operating temperature, and drive it a few feet to move all of the parts around?
Or should I just let it sit for six months and have it start dry once upon my return from Asia? I have already taken the insurance off of the vehicle, and don’t intend to drive it until next spring. One guy has told me to put it up on jack stands and just leave it as it is. He said that the oil isn’t going to start to eat up the seals like someone else has told me, and to just stop worrying about it!
So I thought that I’d run this by you guys because I can’t think of a better place to post this question. I always respect your serious opinions.
Best regards,
John
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
The oil will be fine without starting it. By starting it and shutting it off right when it gets to operating temperature, you'll get more condensation, and that's not good.
I'd disconnect the battery, put it on jackstands, and put mousetraps around those. You'll be glad you used the mousetraps, trust me!
I'd disconnect the battery, put it on jackstands, and put mousetraps around those. You'll be glad you used the mousetraps, trust me!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: in a house
Why would you put the truck on jack stands? The stands would be more prone to failure than......oh .........lets think..........THE TIRES! New cars sit on the tires for over a year sometimes and even if the tires were flat spotted (which won't happen) I would rather take my chances. New tires are way cheaper that fixing fenders. The vehicle frame is not meant to be stored with all the weight resting on four small areas on the chassis. If you are worried about the tires go to a tire shop before you leave and buy four old worn out tires that fit your wheels. Most shops will sell them to you for about $5 for all four if the tires are shot and for about $20 more you can have them mounted. Store your good tires and when you get back go have them mounted and balanced.
If it were me I would put some stabill in the gas (and anti-fuel line freeze if in a real cold climate) and disconnect the battery. I would also lay several mouse traps around the tires and have some one check on the truck and reset the traps if needed every 3 or 4 weeks. Don't forget to set your AC **** to "vent" and NOT "off". If you leave the **** in the "off" position your truck will not breathe and smell like *** when you get back.
If it were me I would put some stabill in the gas (and anti-fuel line freeze if in a real cold climate) and disconnect the battery. I would also lay several mouse traps around the tires and have some one check on the truck and reset the traps if needed every 3 or 4 weeks. Don't forget to set your AC **** to "vent" and NOT "off". If you leave the **** in the "off" position your truck will not breathe and smell like *** when you get back.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,600
Likes: 4
From: Iowa
My truck was stored for about 15 years on the same tires. They were cracked, and growing mold when I changed them. I dont know if 6 months would hurt anything or not. I doubt it, but why take the chance?
Just set it on some bricks. They'll take the load just fine IMO.
The reason for the mousetraps was already discussed. You wouldn't believe the amount of mouse nests I had to clean out of my under dash air conditioner unit when I got it from the junkyard. I mean, it was just packed full.
I'd suggest surrounding each brick or jackstand or tire with the sticky traps.
Just set it on some bricks. They'll take the load just fine IMO.
The reason for the mousetraps was already discussed. You wouldn't believe the amount of mouse nests I had to clean out of my under dash air conditioner unit when I got it from the junkyard. I mean, it was just packed full.
I'd suggest surrounding each brick or jackstand or tire with the sticky traps.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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6 months...don't worry about starting it. IF you are worried anout it you could fog the engine, but if it is only sitting for 6 months don't even bother. I would dump some seafoam in the gas tank and run it through the fuel system. Also, if you have gas w/ ethanol in it, I would burn that up and put some premium w/o ethanol in the tank. I would also take the battery out of the truck, and if possible use it in another vehicle, as it is harder on a battery to sit then to be used.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 692
Likes: 1
From: Saratoga USA
If I was going to let a garaged vehicle sit for six months, I'd:
1) Disconnect the battery
2) Fill the gas tank to prevent condensation
3) Add fuel stabilizer
4) Change the oil and filter
5) Verify condition of the coolant, flush and refill if required
6) Wash the exterior, wax if needed
7) Clean the interior (avoids oders from stray food particles, and food attracts rodents)
8) Pump up the tires to 32 PSI, helps avoid flat spots (I agree with NOT storing the car on jackstands)
9) Cover with a good quality breathable car cover (not plastic)
10) Set the mousetraps if vermin are a problem in your area.
When you get ready to re-start, the only thing you should have to do is charge the battery!
1) Disconnect the battery
2) Fill the gas tank to prevent condensation
3) Add fuel stabilizer
4) Change the oil and filter
5) Verify condition of the coolant, flush and refill if required
6) Wash the exterior, wax if needed
7) Clean the interior (avoids oders from stray food particles, and food attracts rodents)
8) Pump up the tires to 32 PSI, helps avoid flat spots (I agree with NOT storing the car on jackstands)
9) Cover with a good quality breathable car cover (not plastic)
10) Set the mousetraps if vermin are a problem in your area.
When you get ready to re-start, the only thing you should have to do is charge the battery!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Centeral Alabama
Oh yes do use the mouse traps in 90-91 while I was away playing in the sand I did every thing I could thank of but I did not thank of mouse traps. When I got back I spent a lot of time under my dash fixing damage.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Do everything that ggarrahan said, AND put a bar of Irish Spring Soap in the Cab of the truck, Vermin hate the smell of it. I have a vehical I have stored this way every Winter for 26 years. It still runs and looks showroom new.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 100
Likes: 2
From: Anchorage, Alaska
Thanks!
Well all right then; I thank all of you for your input regarding the storage of my new truck. Yesterday I stopped by the Ford house and they sold me some Rat Grease, which was actually is Ford Specification No. EMC-45A. They told my that all I needed to do was not to put the vehicle on jack stands, as some of you suggested, but rather smear the Ford Specification No. EMC-45A Rat Grease all over the tires and front drive axles, as well as the rear tires and rear differential. It came in a large five-gallon bucket for $55.00, and I won’t have to set those Mouse and Rat traps now. Before I left the Ford house the fellow behind the counter told me to take some Coarse Steel Wool and rip small pieces from a larger Steel Wool pad, and stick them in the Rat Grease. He said that it will act as sort of a Concertina Wire, and in the event that a Rat, Mouse, Shrew or other small animal tries to climb up the tires and into the truck, the combination of the Rat Grease and the Coarse Steel Wool should be enough of a deterrent.
Personally I think that that the $55.00 was a little too much, but it’s certainly worth not having Vermin in my new truck.
Best regards to all,
John
Personally I think that that the $55.00 was a little too much, but it’s certainly worth not having Vermin in my new truck.
Best regards to all,
John
