Ranger prep (for storage)
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From: land of clappin cheeks
Ranger prep (for storage)
Hey fellas. I’m leaving for the military, so ill be gone for around 6 months +. I would like some tips on how to store my truck. I was mostly wondering if I should use a battery trickle charger. Is it safe to have it plugged in that long? Do I even need it? I have a Schumacher SP1296 2A automatic battery charger if that is trustworthy. Thanks
Just unhook one battery terminal/cable
Fill gas tank up to the top so there is little or no air inside the tank
Or run it until its low on fuel and plan to get/add 2 to 5gal on your return BEFORE starting it, 5% to 10% ethanol blend is best to add
Do Clear Flooded Engine on your return
Try it now before leaving so you know it works
Turn key on
Press gas pedal down to the floor and hold it down all the way(this turns OFF fuel injectors)
Crank engine over
It should NOT start or even fire, no fuel, it should just crank
When you release gas pedal it will start
Crank it a few times
Do this on your return to pump oil through the engine before starting it, I do this every morning on my 1994 high mile 4.0l to get oil circulated before I let it start
Thank you for your service
Fill gas tank up to the top so there is little or no air inside the tank
Or run it until its low on fuel and plan to get/add 2 to 5gal on your return BEFORE starting it, 5% to 10% ethanol blend is best to add
Do Clear Flooded Engine on your return
Try it now before leaving so you know it works
Turn key on
Press gas pedal down to the floor and hold it down all the way(this turns OFF fuel injectors)
Crank engine over
It should NOT start or even fire, no fuel, it should just crank
When you release gas pedal it will start
Crank it a few times
Do this on your return to pump oil through the engine before starting it, I do this every morning on my 1994 high mile 4.0l to get oil circulated before I let it start
Thank you for your service
Depends on how far you want to go and the time involved, and if the truck will be out side or inside storage.
I would replace as many of the fluids as possible, which can take out as much particles that like to settle.
Engine Oil/Filter change is a must and run the engine as RonD has stated.
I like too remove the Plugs, after running the oil around the engine, take out the plugs and squirt in some oil in the cylinders, don't turn the engine over until the lug are back in place, the oil will be pushed out.
Put the plugs back in, snug them down, spin the motor a little.
Wash her down, wax her with at least one coat of good quality wax; maybe another if leaving her outside.
Lift the truck and do one of two things:
Outside
1) Put large wooden blocks under the tires
or
2) Put blocks under the suspension near the tires watching out for any lines and grease fittings.
and then if inside maybe just get the truck off the cement or dirt with blocks.
Get some packages of dry desiccant, and put them inside and under the hood.
As I said, it is all up to you and just how far you want to go.
Don't throw a tarp over her or at least have someone take the tarp off to let her dry out... more often than not !
The battery... tough one, make sure it is charged, and I would take it out of the truck (Not knowing what the computer will like), keep it off the cement floor, and have someone check it once in a while or at least hook up the trickle charger for a few hours every couple of months (better ask a good mechanic... RonD?).
Attaching the charger will mostly depend on the condition of the charge in the battery when it is checked.
Keep in touch with where ever it is stored and talk to them about the battery every so often.
A battery is easy to replace, don't worry too much about it if it is out of the truck.
GOD Bless and may he speed you through your service.
Ltr
I would replace as many of the fluids as possible, which can take out as much particles that like to settle.
Engine Oil/Filter change is a must and run the engine as RonD has stated.
I like too remove the Plugs, after running the oil around the engine, take out the plugs and squirt in some oil in the cylinders, don't turn the engine over until the lug are back in place, the oil will be pushed out.
Put the plugs back in, snug them down, spin the motor a little.
Wash her down, wax her with at least one coat of good quality wax; maybe another if leaving her outside.
Lift the truck and do one of two things:
Outside
1) Put large wooden blocks under the tires
or
2) Put blocks under the suspension near the tires watching out for any lines and grease fittings.
and then if inside maybe just get the truck off the cement or dirt with blocks.
Get some packages of dry desiccant, and put them inside and under the hood.
As I said, it is all up to you and just how far you want to go.
Don't throw a tarp over her or at least have someone take the tarp off to let her dry out... more often than not !
The battery... tough one, make sure it is charged, and I would take it out of the truck (Not knowing what the computer will like), keep it off the cement floor, and have someone check it once in a while or at least hook up the trickle charger for a few hours every couple of months (better ask a good mechanic... RonD?).
Attaching the charger will mostly depend on the condition of the charge in the battery when it is checked.
Keep in touch with where ever it is stored and talk to them about the battery every so often.
A battery is easy to replace, don't worry too much about it if it is out of the truck.
GOD Bless and may he speed you through your service.
Ltr
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