Getting Ready for Winter Storage

[bucks77ford]

Well, it's about time to get ready for the long winter up here and so I'm thinking about what I need to do for my truck since it will sit for about 6-7 months. What does everyone do to your trucks for long storage. I was going to change the oil/filter, unhook battery and fill my fuel tank full. I run ethanol so I'm not sure if I need to add an additive like stabil or not. Truck will be in my garage, so I'm not worried about rodents or anything like that. What else should I really do?

 

[LEB Ben]

You pretty much said everything I do...I unhook the battery, I add stabil, swap filters, usually put a little grease/oil on gaskets/seals. However, I've always heard conflicting info on a full gas tank or empty gas tank...usually I try to keep mine empty for less chance of it turning to sludge or any particulate matter falling to the bottom. Oh yeah...I also have my mom or dad go out once every couple of weeks to wipe down the interior with Armorall to prevent any dash or visor cracking...as well as the tires to prevent dry rot. I'd also recommend a California duster, so the dust doesn't settle and so you can admire your truck in all it's awesomeness.

 

[john112deere]

Can you fire it up and just back it out into the driveway once a month or so, on clear days?

IMO, that would be the best thing you could do.

*I don't know about stabilizer in ethanol...but I'd be curious to hear the answer.

 

[LEB Ben]

Shoot...I forgot he wasn't gasoline...I'll retract the stabil comment for now then. And Ian is right...just starting it and letting it run and shifting through the selector helps alot...and if you can roll it forward and back for a few feet a few times that'll be an even bigger plus.

 

[m78]

Last year i put mine on jack stands. Then started it every two weeks and let it run for about 20- 30 minutes. Also run thru the gears.
Bought one of those rubber exhaust hoses to vent the fumes out of the garage

 

[bucks77ford]

I've seen stabil for ethanol but haven't used it yet. Guess it really couldn't hurt. I thought I heard that keeping the tank full would prevent alot of moisture buildup than having a lot of tank space for moisture to build up. Take that for what its worth. Yeah, I was thinking about starting it up and backing it out and let it run awhile about every month and shifting through the gears and applying the brakes and what not just to try and keep everything lubed up.

I have heard of people just letting things sit especially if it's cold and not start it up or anything, but I would think that would be worse.

I'd really love to drive through some snow though with the 4x4, but I don't think I'll do that.

 

[TexasNomad]

Hmm...
Whats this "Winter" you speak of?

 

[bucks77ford]

Hmm...
Whats this "Winter" you speak of?

Yeah, that word doesn't enter the Texan vocabulary much does it? But, really, winter does exist.

 

[flareside_thunder]

Hmm...
Whats this "Winter" you speak of?

ha ha ha x2!!!!!! You should send it down here to Tony or me...we'll take care of her!!!

 

[89frankenford]

wait wait wait, you run on ethanol?? thats seriously pretty cool!

 

[miottimouse]

i keep my tanks full and add lots of metho-hydrate take my batterys inside to avoid drain down/freezing

 

[bucks77ford]

wait wait wait, you run on ethanol?? thats seriously pretty cool!

ya, but kinda by mistake though or mis-calculation. I'm currently running a fairly mild cam and really didn't want a large cam. But, running a smaller cam gave me a 10.5 : 1 compression and even with aluminum heads, I didn't want to run pump gas so Ethanol was an option in order to run a high octane fuel. Aside from some cold starting issues with ethanol, the truck runs great. And it also gets around 5 MPG. Whoohooo!!!

 

[LEB Paul]

Sorry if I'm getting you off topic, but have you seen any issues with the rubber parts in your fuel system running ethanol? I've heard that ethanol can deteriorate the rubber fairly quickly.

 

[DNFXDLI]

Last year i put mine on jack stands. Then started it every two weeks and let it run for about 20- 30 minutes. Also run thru the gears.
Bought one of those rubber exhaust hoses to vent the fumes out of the garage

That's what I have done as well as adding Stabil to a full fuel tank. I also keep a battery tender junior attached to the battery. I don't bother starting them anymore as they are in a heated area.

Sorry if I'm getting you off topic, but have you seen any issues with the rubber parts in your fuel system running ethanol? I've heard that ethanol can deteriorate the rubber fairly quickly.

Paul, my understanding is that you would have to run a very high concentration of ethanol for the rubber to deteriorate....<50%....I know the same sort of thing can happen when using toluene in that concentration for octane booster.

 

[m78]

That's what I have done as well as adding Stabil to a full fuel tank. I also keep a battery tender junior attached to the battery. I don't bother starting them anymore as they are in a heated area.

I still start mine to keep the gas in the carb. Seems to dry out then it's hard to start

 

[DNFXDLI]

I still start mine to keep the gas in the carb. Seems to dry out then it's hard to start

It probably evaporates.

 

[bucks77ford]

Sorry if I'm getting you off topic, but have you seen any issues with the rubber parts in your fuel system running ethanol? I've heard that ethanol can deteriorate the rubber fairly quickly.

I haven't had any problems so far. I'm heard many different opinions on this subject and one misconception is that ethanol isn't corrosive, but methanol is. So, I guess time will tell.

 

[johaner78]

I believe I would keep the tank full of fresh gas to minimize condensation / tank rusting. If the tank if full 20-30 gals, you shouldn't need Stabil because of that large of quantity of fuel. The gas is blended with only 10% ethanol and will not hurt the fuel systems on these trucks. I run ethanol blended fuel in my waverunner (and it says not too in the owners manual) and I've not had any carb / fuel problems in the 9 years i've owned it. The ethanol is actually grain alcohol much like the HEET gas line antifreeze - check the label, it's mostly alcohol.
I would disconnect neg. battery cable and put on a trickle charger to keep it in good shape, this will minimize / eliminate freezing if left in a frigid garage (I know it gets cold in Minnisota!)

 

[Craigwell]

what percentage of ethanol? I've been researching running 80 90% pure ethanol!

I'd spray the spring kit inside the drums with fluid film, as well as the caliper slide areas.. I'd keep the tank full, and do what the fellas say, trying to move her a few times.

 

[Jolly Green]

Definitely store it with a FULL tank to prevent condensation.

I always add Stabil to both my truck and Harley when storing them over the winter. I don't think it can hurt, but that's just my opinion.

We have mostly E 85 at the pumps around here, so you're left with little choice--you just have to run it.

Good tips here from all the other guys--

One last thing--make sure you have enough antifreeze in your coolant.