Retiring the GX to the ranch. Need some input (4 Viewers)

[billjamin]

My new LX OT just came in and we just don’t want to part with our GX. It’s been such a great vehicle and I’ve flogged this thing around Houston drive thrus and wheeled west Texas chasing hogs. But I do need to clear some garage space for the new ride. So, it’s time to retire it to the ranch. I need to make some decisions on what I’m going to do and how I’m going to do it.

• Storage - we have a shop that I keep the old ranch Taco in but mice have beat it to hell and I don’t want that to happen to this one. I have tomcat out now but I just don’t know what I can do to make sure it stays mouse free. Is a storage container my best bet? Any proven mouse deterrents that don’t involve cats or snakes as pets?
• Mods - it’s stock with crawl and MTS added on some terra grapplers now. Debating if I should add any skid plates or bumpers before I move it out there. It’s not far from Abilene so it’s not the roughest country but a winch might be beneficial and a little extra clearance never hurt. Def need some sliders and molle panels for getting strapped for hog warfare. Any recommendations on brand or how you would build out a part time rig like this. FYI it will rarely if ever leave the property but don’t want it completely undriveable on public roads.
• Maintenance - I’ve done all the routine stuff. Maybe a little behind on diffs lately. Anything you would do before basically retiring this thing to a life below 30mph and 100 miles a year?
• Fuel - I’m going to run several tanks of ethanol free through before taking it there and running on it exclusively.

Anyone have a similar arrangement or thoughts on things they would do? I’m all ears and would love some input.

 

[WTITW]

Fuel stabilizer in every tank. Decon is pretty nasty but does the job with mice. Put it on stands if you can to save the tires. Quick disconnect on battery or solar tender.

 

[Roody]

Peppermint oil and dryer sheets can also deter mice. I would just put a bunch of both all over and it should help.

The GXs take pretty well to the "basic" off-road equipment you mentioned. My truck has Talons Offroad skids, White Knuckle Offroad sliders, an Ironman bumper, and Warn winch. I highly recommend all of them. The extra weight will be noticeable but it will still drive well on tarmac.

Would just also make sure everything that's supposed to be greased it properly greased and you put it away with a full tank of gas.

Make sure that when you drive it you do actually get everything up to temperature and allow the battery to properly charge.

 

[Rednexus]

I use ethanol-free fuel, Sta-Bil, and Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant as a cocktail in all of my small engines. They start up just fine after sitting all winter.

While you certainly can put the GX in storage, IMO it's not the best course of action. A long-term stored vehicle always degrades unless you have it in a climate-controlled building. I can only imagine it being worse on a complex vehicle like a GX. Perhaps sell it and get something not-as-nice to use as your ranch ride instead? A side-by-side would be a much better choice for <100 miles per year and <30 mph use on a ranch.

 

[Acrad]

This is another good fuel stabilizer

UTV is a good option but I have neighbors with fully decked models that are over $50k.. they certainly aren’t the discount option they used to be. A used older model can certainly be had for a lot cheaper.

I have tracked quads… thought of getting a track UTV but might just go with a tracked KEI truck instead

Ethanol Shield -

USE ETHANOL SHIELD FUEL STABILIZER ALL YEAR AND DURING STORAGE FOR EASY STARTING

b3cfuel.com

 

[Rednexus]

This is another good fuel stabilizer

UTV is a good option but I have neighbors with fully decked models that are over $50k.. they certainly aren’t the discount option they used to be. A used older model can certainly be had for a lot cheaper.

I have tracked quads… thought of getting a track UTV but might just go with a tracked KEI truck instead

Ethanol gas will still have some corrosive tendencies, even with a ethanol stabilizer added:


One of my local stations sells ethanol-free 91 octane, so I just run that in all of my small engines. Including for my two-cycle Stihl engines. Our lawn mower usually sits between October and April, but with the 91, Sta-Bil, and Lucas UCL, it starts up and runs just fine on the old gas in the spring.

And I totally agree that SXS prices are bonkers. I have less in my GX than many of those costs - and my GX has HVAC, a V8, and can tow! But, SXSs are legitimately quite nice for bumping around rural properties. My folks have a pretty basic Can-Am Defender and it's very useful for their 80-acre property, as well as fun to cruise down gravel roads in. It's also light enough that they can easily tow it with a Subaru Ascent.

 

[r2m]

One thing you didn't mention was how often you plan on running/driving the GX once she gets put out to pasture. That may determine the storage care.
Regarding a winch, I'd suggest a front and rear receiver with a receiver mounted winch for easy removal and switching between front and rear pulls.
Regarding the peppermint oil, (Sorry Roody...) that will dissipate pretty quickly and need to be reapplied often.
Probably the best would be a conex. If you go that route, have it ventilated with a fine wire screen mesh to prevent rodents, bees, wasps, etc. The venting will prevent it from getting too hot. Even one of these:

Regarding heat, I've mentioned this before, but heat will shorten the life of all the plastic and fabric, basically slow cooking it.
In the R&D med device industry, we use heated ovens for accelerated aging. Accelerated aging is used to ensure the materials used in the medical device have a shelf life of "X" years before they need to be replaced. The typical temperatures used to test by most medical engineers are 50°C, 55°C, and 60°C, in U.S.A. terms: 122° F to 140° F. Temperatures easily reached in a closed conex in Texas.
Also with a conex, it's easy to add some solar panels to the roof to keep a battery tender flowing juice to the GX.

 

[WTITW]

I use ethanol-free fuel, Sta-Bil, and Lucas Upper Cylinder Lubricant as a cocktail in all of my small engines. They start up just fine after sitting all winter.

I used Sta-bil in an old Mercury I kept in storage after having to rebuild the carb twice in one year. I threw a bottle in with the next fill-up, and that same tank lasted two years with no issues, only starting up every 2-4 months. Great stuff.

 

[Acrad]

@Rednexus.. yeah that is why I shifted off Stabil to this other product because I have seen that happen. So far it has been an improvement. I do try to use non-ethanol when I can but not always convenient with limited availability in my area.

 

[Hiluxforever]

Remain weight aware. Most of the more capable vehicles I out-wheel are because they are too heavy.

I also advise on maxing out the vehicles capabilities without lockers before getting them. You will be able to get a lot more out of the vehicle with the experience gained from picking lines.

 

[chipsterguy]

RE: Rodents. The strongest scented dryer sheets have a smell half-life much longer than peppermint oil. Place dryer sheets throughout the engine bay, and any locations on the vehicle you might be concerned about rodents nesting or chewing. Recommend changing every 3-6 months as you visit your ranch. Rats and mice do not like the strong scents. Also utilize dryer scent beads throughout the structure where rodents might enter, this too will deter them. Replace periodically to maintain efficacy. These strong smells will deter and last a long time.

 

[billjamin]

Awesome info everyone. I really appreciate it. I was leaning towards a connex, we already have a pad and 1 for horse feed but I hadn’t though about the heat issue and adding ventilation kind of defeats the purpose for the mice.

I’m seriously leaning towards selling it and just getting a SxS now. Might just be an easier solution since I have the Taco and the LX for getting around too.