I'm storing my 71' Barracuda and 94' Grand Cherokee for the next 3-4 years. I have stored a vehicle for about 4mths with no problems, but it was started every once in a while.

Does anyone have any tips or recommendations that you could pass my way.

I heard/done the following in the past:

-Remove the battery
-Fill the tank full of gas
-Change oil before storing
-Leave a container of charcoal in the the car
-Leave on jack stands under suspension(prevent flat spots on tires/suspension sag)
-Do not leave on jack stands
-Spray light weight oil in the cyclinders
-Spray carb&intake(alum)down with light weight oil
-Run carb dry of all fuel
-Lay bisquen/plastic down on concrete floor
-Wax car
-Treat rubber(tires, hoses and door seals

The car might be started once every 6mths, maybe more often if the inlaws can help out, I'm plannig on the worst case here....

Any help here would be great!

-71STROKERFISH

Steel wool in the exhaust pipe, lower the visors and lots of dryer sheets. through out to prevent mice from nesting.

In particular add dryer sheets in the cowl to prevent them from nesting in the cowl area.

Stabil in the gas

Agree with a lot of your list. It depends a lot on how much it will be started and run and how dry the storage location is. If you fill the tank, add fuel stabilizer. Even with the stabilizer, 6 mos - 1 year is max. If you can run the fuel out and replace with new fuel within that time, no problem. Same on suspension/stands. If keeping it on the ground will help encourage driving every 6 mos, then that's good. If it won't be driven, then stands may help the tires.

If the storage location is dry, no special oiling except the oil change before storage should be needed. If the storage location is damp, oiling would help... except starting will burn any oil on the cylinders. Boats stored in damp locations are often shut down with a quart of oil poured carefully down the carb with the engine running at the end of the season. Any starting during storage will burn off the protective oil.

If it is started, running to full temp and burning the fuel in the tank is a lot better than a short run.

Your strategy depends a lot on how it will be run over the 3 years. Either way, some service will be needed.

I would:

-drain gas
-change oil
-drier sheets inside car
-mothballs poured around tires
-steel wool up exhaust
-spray engine fogging oil in cylinders, follow instruction on can
-disconnect/remove battery
-done.

I wouldn't put the car up on jackstands, I've always found leaving the car up on jackstands to be hard on the front suspension. It was designed to sit with a load on it and at a certain angle, not all fully stretched out. You could put scissor jacks underneath to take some weight off the car yet keep the suspension in a fairly normal position, but I would just leave it. I also wouldn't start the car unless you're going to take it for a drive to get everything moving, followed by redoing all the above steps.

outside or in?

Steel wool and dryer sheets, sounds pretty easy! I plan to store the vehicles in a typical u-store it place. I will probably start them at least every 6mths, I might have someone start them more often.

I think everyone can agree, no matter how I store them, maintenance will be needed.

As far as the tires/suspension goes, I stored a vehicle in the past with jack stands under the lower control arms and under the rear axle. I think this should keep the suspension in check and save flat spots on the BFG's.

I've been told there's no reason to worry about flat spots with new radials...anyone agree with this?

I had another thought of storing the cars in a Conex sealed container. One storage facilty rents them. They are 8x20, and a car/truck will easily fit. The only thought is the heat in the summer(Oklahoma) and there's no ventilation. These things are sealed up and ready for hail and darn near...tornado proof...I lived here too long, that's not true, but they are very stout with wood floors.

unless it is special, i would sell the jeep.

make sure you try the ebrake every now and then when its in storage.

also i like to store cars with windows open (if in doors) this is so the interior doesn't get moldy.

same deal with the trunk.

If you decide to do the Conex boxes I would suggest using this...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lot-of-48-Bags-Conta...=item2300dc0bc3

I like what Daytonaturbo has added to your list. Between the two, I think you have it covered.

Except, don't let the in laws near them. Just let them sit. Starting without a proper warm up, which to me is driving it. Is hurting more than helping.

Starting could do some harm, not sure how much that it does though. I do know that it is good for the engien to turn over every once in a while. Valvsprings, fuel pump, etc need to move. So a bump f the starter would be good.

I found some mice bait packets that you simply leave laying out. They chew through the covers and that gets them some poison as a reward.

I think your best approach would be to leave them at my house

All great points as previously stated.
I stored a car with all the above recommendations but I will add one thing.
I put a coating of grease on all of my chrome to keep it from rusting, dulling. When I removed from storage I cleaned it off. Just like the day I stored it.

Quote:

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Except, don't let the in laws near them. Just let them sit. Starting without a proper warm up, which to me is driving it. Is hurting more than helping.

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I agree, don't just start them for a few minutes and that's it. If they get started, they need to be fully warmed up.

IMO.

Dennis

I have had cars sitting for more than 10 years. No flat spots in the tires when we moved them.
BUT they were dry rotted to the point they were no good.
UV is your biggest problem if you plan on using those tires for any length of time after you get back.
RV's have tire covers for that reason.

I am not sure if it would be better or worse to leave gas in it.
I think I would run the lines dry at a min.

Definatly change the oil before you store it.
Stabil makes some sort of long term engine storage spray now, see if you can find that.

car covers eat paint in the outside, so try to get inside storage. more expensive, but worth it.

I agree, get rid of the jeep. The storage costs are't worth it for that.

Don't bother to start it. For the little bit you are talking about, I think you will do more harm then good.

I used to have to leave my car for 6 months at a time for deployments, and all I ever did was change the oil and disconnect the battery.
But for 3 years, I would expect an overhall when you get back.
AT least new belts, hoses and tires.

Oh, you may consider dropping some zinc annodes in the coolant as well. Heck might even change it. But don't leave it dry.

In addition to all the above, fog the engine and back off the rocker arms to get all the tension off the valve springs. Don’t start it. When you get back adjust the valves. Pull the dist, pre oil it, and your good to go.

Sea foam works better than stabil. Maybe you will get out early for good behavior