long term storage

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Sep 9, 2006
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Eagle River AK
moving to japan and i am going to put my 40 in a storage unit for the next three to five years. what are your suggestions. my current thoughts are drain the gas tank, change oil in gear boxes and engine, fog the cylinders. pull the battery. my tires are crap so i dont care about them and fully expect to have to figure something out about the tires when i get back. what about the radiator? empty it or keep it full and put an anode to help stop corrosion. anything i am not thinking of?
 
I wouldn't drain the antifreeze. As long as it's a good mixture, antifreeze is anticorrosive. I would cover the tailpipe and air filter opening and use some kind of repellent to keep rodents out.
 
How about the brake and clutch master cylinders/fluid? I don't have any experience but would replacing the fluid with synthetic be a good idea?
 
well i dont know about the clutch/master i think as long as that fluid doesnt get too hot it wont take on moisture. but i am wondering about the rest of the slave cylinders and if they will rust too bad and shred the inards of the slaves when they are finally actuated again
 
Many posts here about synthetic fluid being incompatible with the seals in these old trucks. I wouldn't do it.
It's a good idea to store your vehicle with clean oil and fluids, but go with the proper dot 3/4 fluid.
 
How do you get rid of 16 gallons of old gasoline?
 
Plus you don't have to worry about it for 5 years. It may be worth $ 35.99 a gallon by then.
 
Lift the rig w/ jackstands/cinderblocks in case the old tires go flat & gives you an unintended cruiser lean.
 
Park it at my house, I'll keep the fluids moving..... :hillbilly:

x2 on the jack stands.
 
How about the brake and clutch master cylinders/fluid? I don't have any experience but would replacing the fluid with synthetic be a good idea?

You can't do that. There's no way to get rid of the DOT 3 fluid. It would have to be completely removed. The only practical way to convert is to replace all the brake components and flush the lines with brake cleaner.

Many posts here about synthetic fluid being incompatible with the seals in these old trucks. I wouldn't do it.

100% old wives tale. They were probably incompatible when new, but any brake seals made since the introduction of DOT 4 are compatible. I converted my '78 when I rebuilt the brake system with OEM Toyota components and it's still as purple and pretty as the day I put it in there 6 years ago.

It would be a great thing to do for a 5 year storage, but very onerous.

How do you get rid of 16 gallons of old gasoline?

Add it a gallon or two at a time to a full tank. It'll burn just fine.
 
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So you are saying that if your entire brake system in a 35 year old truck is newer than 6 years, you can safely use DOT 5? May be true, but toyota and the manufacturers of the fluid say to use dot 3 or 4. Why take a chance?

I definitely agree that adding a gallon or two of old gas per tank is a great way to get rid of stale gas.
 
Definitely get fresh brake fluid in. If the stuff in there now is old then it already has taken on some moisture and it will cause rust.

Where are you headed in Japan?

Pete
 

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