The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Two year storage strategy

It is that time again. I just found out that my next assignment will be in Kuwait for 2 years. I won't be able to take my truck over there. My plan is to put it in one of the Kansas City area underground storage facilities.

So what do I do to prepare a truck for a two year storage. The underground storage facilities have a constant temperature and humidity so that should cut down on any overall decline in the state of the truck.

My plan is to pull it from storage in 2016 during the Stovebolt reunion in KC and then drive it back to the east coast.

Anyway, just looking for some ideas on what to do to store the truck and preserve the engine.

Two years should be no problem.
1. Put on jack stands. Save a tire.
2. Cover the exhaust, a zip lock bag and duct tape works. Keep the mouse house out.
3. Pull the plugs and squirt some oil in there. Put the plugs in finger tight. Save the rings.
4. Drain the gas, all of it. Put in a light oil, like 3 in one, Marvel Mystery ( at least it smells good), Kroil or what ever. You don't need much, a cup will do. It will help keep the tank from collecting water. Don't forget the carb drain it too. A little oil in there won't hurt.
5. Bag the gas tank filler and the carb intake.
6. Pull the battery and take it somewhere that a tender can be used. A friend who will look at once in a while would be nice.
That should do it. The tires will last longer with out the weight of the truck on them. The bags will slow down condensation issues and keeping the wild life out will help. Roll the windows up and if you got one cover it. Less to wash off when you get back.
When you get back to it then the fun begins. Drain the old oil, replace with new, add some gas, put the battery back, remember all the bags and check the air in the tires..should go after you get fuel into the carb. Enjoy
There will be other tips I am certain.

Steve;

Excellent ideas. I need to decide on a storage location and then ask them some questions. Will I be able to do my storage prep maintenance in their facility? Will they allow me to put the truck on jack stands? Does it need to run in case they need to move things around or evacuate the facility?

My challenge is that I'll need to drive the truck over there, park it and then do whatever I need to do. It would be a lot easier if I could just cover it and park it in my garage. Unfortunately the is not an option.

Had mine away for almost a year some years back. It was in my unheated, uninsulated garage. I filled the gas tank as full as it would go, removed the battery and put it on stands an inch off the floor. The full tank lessens the condensation. I did not put any stabilizing agent in the gas. A lot of people do so I guess I was just lucky the gas was okay.
I have not tried this but heard a bag of moth balls in the cab will deter rodents.
If the storage facility has a problem and have to evacuate I am sure the last thing they would be concerned with is moving out vehicles.