Going to Iraq....need help in how to store my Tacoma for a year?

Had many 4 month deployments and never did any thing special to my truck (always parked in a parking lot or driveway, not grass). Always started when I got back.

Was overseas for 15 months once and put a '69 GP in a storage unit ($$ but worth it). When I got back, started it up and drove from Cali to Charleston, SC.

The mothballs seem like a really good idea.

 

You can also use flea and tick collars. Cut them up into 2"-3" pieces and place them in smaller places. Those will keep out spiders and insects. Along with the moth balls, you'll be "critter" free...

 

1) change fluids
2) full tank of gas with fuel stable AND some sort of anti-moisture treatment as well.
3) run mixture so it gets into all engine lines
4) get a battery TENDER if there is power and keep it hooked up that way
5) moth balls or similar
6) support the truck by the suspension, not the frame to keep the tires off the ground.
7) sheets or a cover to keep the dust off
8) when you come back, i would siphon the gas out if it's going to be in there a long time and put some fresh stuff in.
9) i would pull the ignition fuse and prime the engine with oil a couple times by turning it over. you will hear mixed reviews on this idea...but I think most the oil will drain down over a years time and firing it up with 0 oil read could be bad imo.

Good luck and be safe out there.

 

i didnt do anything for my 15 month deployment. gave it to the army to store here in germany and they just let it sit in a covered area. my truck was the only one to start up with out a jump start too. was funny shit and badd ass.

 

Ok questions? 1)Does it have to be full tank of gas and why?
2)run mixture?
3)How do you support it by the suspension but not the frame without having the wheels touch?

I wish i was more mechanically inclined

 

you mentioned that it will be getting below freezing and up to 105 degrees. This can cause moisture on the inside of your gas tank...although now with plastic tanks i dont even know if this is true anymore. if its filled up all the way, it helps prevent the moisture problem since theres liquid instead of air to air contact. then run the mixture so you get the treated gas through the gas lines and into the injectors.

no idea how to support the truck, havent even jacked mine up yet. you can probably stick one set under the rear axle and maybe the A arms on front. it will prevent your suspension from "stretching out" and frame from bending in a way it wasnt designed to do for long periods of time.

most of it might be overkill, but what the hell. for comparison when I used to store my transam over winter I just put some stabil in it and parked it until the snow went away. no battery tender, no jacks, no cover, nothing. always started with a jump though. but that was 3 months vs 12 months.

 

Just wanted to thank everybody for being so supportive of me and military in general and for all the best wishes and "be safe's." This next deployment is going to be a lot tougher than last because im going to be Stop-lossed for about 8 months and it helps when people support you. THANK YOU ALL!!

 

Someone mentioned mothballs. Good idea. Not sure if that stuff does anything to plastic or the like though.. I'd put out some mouse poison to so you don't have any making a nest somewhere. Just toss one in each corner of your storage unit and no mice problem. Full tank with gas stabilizer is a great idea. Modern gas is a lot better than it was 20 years ago so I don't expect any problems in six mos. I don't really see any reason to change other fluids.. They will just sit there.. Unhooking the battery is probably a good idea. I'd run that by the dealer though. Can't see why you can't. I wouldn't leave anything plugged in such as a charger for 6 mos.. That just makes me nervous. Just show up with jumper cables or a boost/starter box thing. I'd put the jack stands where ever the jack points are. Rear axle is fine for sure. Front. I'd have to crawl under mine and look. Good luck on your deployment!

 

Just for an small update, the reason for Stab-il or other products like that , the gas does not "go bad" its ethenol that separates from the gas when it sits for extended periods of time.
Back years ago(60's) people did not realize that condensation formed inside metal gas tanks which caused rust and eventually water in the gas. Modern day chemistry has solved that problem, with simple inexpensive additives, plus plastic tanks. Which in general its not a bad idea to add "dry gas" once or twice a year. You never know much moisture is in the delivery truck tanks or the tanks at your local gas station.
When I worked in the body shop business, we used to replace/repair gas tanks and we saw a lot of this. All this leads to keeping your gas tank full and treated during storage.
Since Toyota trucks are full frame trucks the jack stands can be place either under the rear axle or on the frame, just high enough to take the load off the tires.
With modern day electronics disconnecting the battery might drive the trucks computer crazy but that should be decided by the Toyota dealer. I would like to hear more on that.
The optimum solution is to have a good friend or relative drive the truck for a half hour or so every couple of weeks and allow it to come up to temp and get all the fluids doing there thing.
Take care during your deployment.

Jeff, 06,V6, 6spd, 4x4, bone stock still