truck storage

[Cal Innes]

I have a Ford Ranger pickup that I intend to put up in the barn for long term storage.. years, probably. I dont really know the best way to do this.
Should I drain all the gasoline or put stabilizer in it, should I pull the battery or leave it in to run it occassionally? I plan on putting it up on blocks and relieve some of the tire pressure. Any thoughts on how to go about all this?
Cal

 

[bison]

May as well sell it if you ain't gonna use it.It ain't gonna increase in value by storing it,..its just a ford ranger.
Chances are the mices will trash the wiring and upholstery anyway

 

[Deere Scotty]

Leave the battery in to run occasionally. Oil will slowly drain down from the cylinder walls, & over time allow rust to form. Especially in a non - temperature controlled environment! One gentleman I work with said He bought a old truck that had been sitting for years with few miles on it; but the engine had rust on the piston walls. Now has the expense of an overhaul.

 

[Steve A W]

Anybody heard of putting Mint Oil on cotton balls to deter the mice?
How often do You replace them?

Steve A W

 

[Royse]

Yes, peppermint oil. I put it in my classic truck for winter storage.
I have never had to replace them over the winter, but I get it
out every summer and replace them when I store it again.
Put them on a metal jar lid or something. It will stain carpet etc.

 

[JRSutton]

not a bad point.

Sell it now, and store the money away instead of the truck.

Buy another one when you're ready to use it again.

You'll probably get more truck for you money that way - and eliminate all the risk of storing it.

 

[mattwillson]

Set it on jack stands, tires off of the ground. Disconnect the battery, one cable removed will do( better if you put the battery somewhere warm). If you aren't going to run it for a long period, fog the motor with enginestor and try and pretty much run it out of gas. Pour a quart of motor oil in the gas tank to deter corrosion. If you can, spray the underside heavily with an undercoat oil of your preference. Peppermint extract on bounce sheets inside the cab and under the hood will help keep the mice away.
What year is the ranger? They are a nice little truck, Ford screwed themselves when they discontinued them. I have a 2006 3L and a 2009 4L, fullsize are 1992 and 1993 F150's, I have a 1996 F-150 that I am un soccermomming back to a 1992 . I have 1992 F-350 diesel that just won't give up either, it has over 400,000 on it now.

 

[jm.]

Park it ,start it 4 July and Christmas, if possible drive it around the block each time. That will keep oil on bearings ect.

 

[Cal Innes]

Thanks for the replies, I apreciate a constructive reply. The truck has no rust, , has very low mileage, and of course is out of production.,,,, '57 chevy, common as it was.. don't you wish you saved one???

 

[ih_bug]

common as a vw beetle used to be. I have a ranger here to store also. slather it in used oil. protects the metal also mice don't like it.If you can start it at least once a year but bring it up to operating temp if you do. I fog them as well, works on boats.and they can sit for years with no damage. I just pour a litre of motor oil in the intake slowly while its running then shut her down.definitely stabilizer in the gas so its in the fuel system. i dont know about the tank I would empty it if you can.
as far as jacking it up the tires will be junk anyway just make sure you have good airflow under the vehicle and if you are going to jack it up take the weight off the springs.